Severe storms, large hail threaten Charlotte, Upstate SC and mountains, NWS says
“From strong to fierceStorms moved into the Charlotte area, northern South Carolina and the mountains Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service in Greer, S.C.
NWS forecasters warned of 40-50 mph winds and pea- to nickel-sized hail in the Carolina mountains. Thunder and lightning struck Lake Norman just after 8 p.m.
NWS meteorologists said on social media that storms were descending on the states during unusually warm weather that could last into early next week.
At 4:47 p.m., NWS issued the following warning: 40 mph winds and dime-sized hail For the mountain communities south of Biltmore Forest, including Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Tryon and Fletcher.
Moments ago, the NWS issued a similar warning for Travelers Rest, Pickens and Easley, SC.
“Several storms forming over the mountains are moving southeast,” NWS meteorologists wrote on social media site X at 4:15 p.m. “They’re not very loud at this point, but there’s some lightning going on.”
At 6:50 p.m., the NWS said 80 mph wind gusts and nickel-sized hail were possible in Anderson, Clemson and Central SC by 7:30 p.m.
“Take shelter in solid structure,” the NWS shared on X.
According to NWS warnings, Robbinsville, Lake Santeetlah and the Village of Fontana in Western NC face the threat of 40 mph wind gusts and pea-sized hail by 8:15 p.m.; Shelby, Forest City and Boiling Springs until 21:15.
At Charlotte Douglas International Airport, 200 flights were delayed to 8:45 p.m., according to Flight Aware.com, which tracks delays and cancellations at the country’s airports.
NWS says subtropical system is heading our way
A subtropical weather systemwill continue “A steady eastward expansion is expected throughout the period in the Desert Southwest and northern Mexico on Sunday and Monday,” forecasters said in a Saturday morning bulletin.
“The result still appears to be that moist subtropical air remains entrenched in the Carolinas for an extended period of time, promoting exceptionally warm temperatures each day,” according to the release.
Record highs could reach the mid-to-upper 80s across the region on Sunday, according to the NWS. Meteorologists said Monday’s expected high temperatures in the low 80s won’t be near record heat but will still be about 20 degrees above normal.
Charlotte, Rock Hill’s predictions
Highlights in Charlotte The NWS forecast showed it could reach 78 on Saturday, 87 on Sunday and near 80 on Monday, then drop to a more seasonal low of 63 on Tuesday and 65 on Wednesday.
Highs are then expected to reach 75 on Thursday and 80 on Friday, according to the NWS.
The forecast showed a chance of light showers on Monday and Wednesday.
Rock Hill We can see similar increases throughout the week, according to the NWS.
