Strong storms possible across Charlotte area Thursday evening

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A line of potentially strong thunderstorms will bring a possibility of severe weather to the Charlotte area on Thursday evening, including heavy rain and gusty winds. 

This will be the first of multiple rounds of rainfall over the next couple of days.

Mulcahy says the line of storms will move into areas west of Charlotte around 7 p.m. Mountain communities, including Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, and Boone will catch the first blow from these storms. 

By 9 p.m. the storms will move into the foothills and western Piedmont. Impacted areas will include Gastonia, Hickory, Lincolnton, Morganton, Shelby, Statesville and Taylorsville. 

The Charlotte metro will likely see storms from around 9:30 p.m. until 11. This includes the I-77 and I-85 corridors. Areas impacted during this time include Concord, Charlotte, Chester, Cornelius, Fort Mill, Huntersville, Lancaster, Monroe, Mooresville, Rock Hill and Salisbury. 

The biggest risks will be heavy rain and gusty winds. Mulcahy says these storms could produce severe weather in areas like Tennessee, but the risk will be diminished due to cooler temperatures and atmospheric conditions in the Carolinas. 

There will be more scattered rain Friday with light-to-moderate showers expected in areas north of Charlotte; however, these showers aren’t expected to produce any strong storms or severe weather. The last wave of rain will push out of the Charlotte area by Friday evening. 

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