A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect through 8 p.m. for the entire Charlotte metro and surrounding communities, including Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, Stanly, and Union counties. The strongest storms could produce wind gusts as high as 70 mph, hail and torrential rain.
At this point, confidence is highest for the heaviest rain to develop first across the foothills, the Interstate 40 corridor, and the northern Piedmont before shifting farther south and east. The Charlotte metro and communities along Interstate 85 are currently trending toward seeing the most active weather during the early to mid-morning hours. Gusty winds and frequent lightning will also be a play.
An area of low pressure in the Gulf will soon strengthen to Tropical Storm Bertha
An Air Quality Warning is in effect for Mecklenburg County until 8 PM Wednesday due to high concentrations of ground-level ozone.
There will be no turning back the clock if the House has its way. The House passed a bill Tuesday that would make daylight saving time permanent. Proponents argue the bill would provide more daylight during the times that Americans are most active.
Heat Advisories are in effect from 12 PM until 8 PM Thursday with heat indices up to 106° expected.
It's a hot one for millions of people in the Midwest and Great Lakes states. Intense heat and humidity are baking the regions with no immediate relief. The National Weather Service says conditions are “dangerous.” The heat index is exceeding 100 degrees in some areas.
Duke Energy is the latest utility to bow to pressure from the Trump administration to cancel offshore wind leases in return for money.
The big story for the second half of the week is the heat. A strong ridge of high pressure will park itself over the Southeast beginning Wednesday, acting like a lid on the atmosphere and allowing the heat to build for multiple days. Afternoon temperatures will climb into the upper 90s to around 100 degrees through the holiday weekend, with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday coming very close to record highs. Add in the humidity, and it'll feel even hotter outside, so if you have holiday plans, be sure to take the heat seriously.
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