Rain chances rise into weekend

May is off to a steamy start. Highs have found their way back into the 70s and 80s across the board to go along with scattered storms this Thursday afternoon. Expect a similar day to close out the workweek on Friday, although increased available moisture and energy could lead to heavier, more widely scattered storms. A Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe weather has been posted for the WCCB Charlotte viewing area on both Friday and Saturday, with the main threat being gusty winds, although heavy rain, frequent lightning, and small hail are also possible in the strongest cells. Rain chances sharply rise on Saturday as a cold front slices through the Carolinas. While it won’t be a complete washout, most communities can expect scattered storms throughout the afternoon and evening as the front arrives from the west.

A few showers or storms may linger into Sunday morning, but most of the moisture clears to the east by noon. We should have a beautiful close to May’s first weekend as highs hang around the 60s in the High Country and 70s in the Piedmont and Foothills. It should be noted that some medium-range models are significantly slowing down the incoming system, which could allow rain chances to hover into Sunday afternoon and evening, especially east of the Metro. If this system ends up stalling as it makes its way into the Carolinas, expect scattered showers and storms to plague the start of May’s first full workweek, as well.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a few isolated showers. Low: 65°. Wind: S 5-10.

Friday: Variable clouds with PM scattered storms. A few storms may be heavy. High: 85°. Wind: SW 5-15. Gusts: 20+

Friday Night: Scattered storms early, then mostly cloudy with a stray shower. Low: 65°. Wind: S 5-10.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with scattered storms. A few storms may be heavy. High: 82°. Wind: SW 5-15. Gusts: 20+