Crouch on the floor and cover your head as much as you can. WOW! For all still hoping: Snow has defied meteorological winter in Charlotte before, Make the most of spring-like weather in Charlotte with these outdoor activities, If theres a winter heat wave in Charlotte now, this is what can you expect for spring. A tornado watch means a twister is possible, while a warning means one is expected, according to the NWS. Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. NWS forecasters predict highs near 71 Wednesday, 68 Thursday, 65 Friday, 61 Saturday, 60 Sunday, 68 Monday and 74 next Tuesday. How hot could it get? Charlotte, North Carolina, is now under a tornado warning The National Weather Service says parts of North Carolina, including Charlotte, are now under a tornado warning. Fewer than 100 customers were without power as of 11 p.m. RELATED: Schools dismissing early due to severe weather threat. If you live in a high-rise apartment building, get to a lower level or interior stairwell, as far away from windows as possible. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 704-687-8622 Ahead of the storms, CMS also canceled all afterschool activities, athletics and community programs. A tornado warning for central York and Chester counties, S.C., expired at 6:15 p.m. Another warning that included York County was set to expire at 8:45 p.m. At 5:36 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 5 miles south of Chester, or near Chester State Park, moving north at 40 mph, the NWS posted in the alert a minute later. Right Now. At least 1,000 homes and businesses lost power in the western Carolinas early in the day, according to Duke Energys online outage map. Other storms along the line produced hail and wind in western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. This story was originally published March 22, 2022, 11:09 AM. Thunder and hail in Meat Camp! Gusty winds associated with the storm system also brought down trees. All ofWCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. Familiarize yourself with the warning signs that can indicate a tornado, such as: Dark sky; Large hail; Large, dark, low-lying clouds that could be rotating; Loud roar; . He currently reports on breaking news. Download the free WBTV Weather app on your mobile device, to receive weather alerts and get your latest WBTV weather forecast on the go. A tree also was blocking part of Lawrence Road, and power was out in the area. This is because mobile homes don't have the foundation a house does, meaning tornado deaths are more common for those who live in mobile homes. Watch out for flying debris. RELATED: Weather IQ: Understanding watches and warnings, Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team atWake Up Charlotte. Winter storm update: 11 inches of snow forecast in NC mountains, all rain in Charlotte. NWS meteorologists and county emergency management officials confirmed the two tornadoes. By midnight, those outages were resolved, but another 400 were reported around Marion. Get to the lowest level, but use the stairs since an elevator could lose power. RealVue Satellite. Also known as microbursts, straight-line winds are any winds in a thunderstorm not associated with rotation, or tornadic winds, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory. Make sure you've got shoes on so you can leave without hurting your feet on possible fallen debris, If there's damage to your property, go ahead and take photos to help file future insurance claims. Low around 52. There's also a low risk for a few brief tornadoes. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. No one was hurt as the EF-1 twister the second weakest on the Enhanced Fujita Scale for tornado intensity and damage carved a 5.1-mile path through a rural stretch of the counties, the NWS team reported. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Sunny, warmer, and high pollen into midweek, In a post-Roe world, North Carolina has become an abortion landing place, Thunderstorm brings down trees in Mecklenburg County, Weather IQ: Understanding watches and warnings, city of Morganton said approximately 1,000 customers, Tornado Alley is shifting east, how does this affect the Carolinas? Highs are expected to plummet to 57 degrees on Friday, 52 on Saturday and 58 on Sunday, while mostly sunny skies prevail over the weekend, according to the NWS forecast. If the tornado is far enough away you can drive away from it at 90-degree angles until you find a safe place. The best way to prepare for quick action is to have a family emergency plan, assemble a supplies kit and stay alert by listening to local radio, television or a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radio for information on severe weather.". A few lingering rain showers for Thursday. As a result, Duke Energy reported 500 of their customers in the south Charlotte neighborhood were without power Thursday morning. Lake Wind Advisory. Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter, the NWS said in an alert. Heat wave to blanket Charlotte and Raleigh, NWS says. Locally heavy rainfall is possible as well, and isolated flooding could result, according to the bulletin. Such winds can be stronger than tornadoes, weather service officials said. Rain and storms are expected to diminish in coverage overnight, after a cold front moves through, with isolated rain showers possible early Thursday morning, with low temperatures in the upper 50s. Click here to sign up for the daily Wake Up Charlotte newsletter. Friday will feature partly cloudy skies, with high temperatures in the upper 60s. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued for any storm that is producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. There have been 2,400 power outages reported in Catawba County as of 8:15 p.m. Strong to severe storms are possible into our Wednesday evening hours, with scattered rain possible overnight into early Thursday, as a cold front moves through. Heres the latest forecast. Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Be mindful of others and move as quickly and safely as possible to an interior bathroom or storage room. Virtually all power was restored in Mecklenburg County by 8:30 p.m., while 14,400 customers in McDowell County in the mountains remained without electricity at that hour. We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. @NWSGSP @CarolinaWxGroup @wxbrad @EricThomasWBTV @JamesWCCB #ncwx #wncwx pic.twitter.com/JJuzDkFzDI, POSSIBLE TORNADO SIGHTING in Iredell County this afternoon. Heavy bands of rain are expected to move into Charlotte and surrounding areas by 2 or 3 p.m., NWS meteorologist Ashley Pratt told The Charlotte Observer at 9:45 a.m. Storms could continue developing in the region until 3 or 4 a.m. Wednesday, she said. There were 109 flood incidents across the state. If you are outdoors, and there is no shelter available, take cover in a low-lying flat area. Through the late afternoon and evening hours, the line associated with an advancing cold front continues to move through eastern portions of the Carolinas. Flooding: Any thunderstorm system has a chance to bring some localized and urban flooding, so the threat is there but most rain totals will range from a half-inch to 1.5 inches. Keep your seatbelt on and duck below the winds and cover your head. Brad Panovich's family keeps helmets in their safe space, along with other supplies for a tornado warning. Flying debris tends to move even faster, making it more dangerous. A Tornado Watch has been issued for Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Rutherford counties until 12 a.m. Strong to severe storms are possible into our Wednesday evening hours, with scattered rain possible overnight into early Thursday, as a cold front moves through. If driving, you should leave your vehicle immediately to seek safety in an adequate structure. "If it's going to happen, it's going to happen this afternoon as the front pushes off the east," Panovich said. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Urges Residents to Practice Tornado Safety. RELATED: Brad Panovich | Here's why wind shear can cause severe spring weather. Official website for the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. Updated: Mar. Soaring temps to reach near-record highs in North Carolina. Some establishments will have a marked tornado shelter. Charlotte Waffle House found with live roach, unclean equipment during health inspection, The top-ranked pie in North Carolina doesnt look like pie at all. Get the latest. A tree was also blocking part of the road, with power dark in the immediate area. #cltwx https://t.co/8t4lWW6eTJ. Duke Energy, on its website, said the high winds and heavy rains caused significant structural damage to its electrical grid in the mountains and foothills in North and South Carolina. But if there is no time. Be mindful of others and move as quickly and safely as possible to an interior bathroom or storage room. When at home, you and your family need to go to their safe place. A thunderstorm is only considered severe when it has at least one of these: When a thunderstorm has either of these criteria, the National Weather Service will issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for individual storms. Severe thunderstorms earlier Thursday prompted several tornado warnings for counties in North Carolina and South Carolina. Power out in Valdese were reports of a tornado occurred. . These winds could occasionally gust over 50-60 mph, causing spotty damage and downed trees. Right Now. "Severe thunderstorms can develop rapidly and include a variety of weather conditions such as hail, flash floods, and tornadoes. Tornado: There will be some spin to the atmosphere and there is a chance for a spin-up tornado but the treats are very low at this time. Most importantly, don't panic. Emergency management officials confirmed the tornado, according to the NWS. Any enclosed place away from windows is your target. A couple of tornadoes, along with quarter-size hail and gusts up to 70 mph are possible, according to the watch. Thunderstorm winds are capable of producing damage similar to a tornado. Creeks in the Charlotte area, including the Little Sugar Creek near Uptown Charlotte, remain high after about 1.40" of rain fell in Charlotte Thursday because of the storms. Showers and thunderstorms were then expected to redevelop, with storms expected to be far more severe than any that formed in the first batch of rain, NWS meteorologist Robbie Munroe told The Charlotte Observer. At 7:43 p.m., the National Weather Service says a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located seven miles northeast of Marion, or near Lake James, moving northeast at 25 mph. Charlotte Waffle House found with live roach, unclean equipment during health inspection, The top-ranked pie in North Carolina doesnt look like pie at all. Instead, pull over. Outages were also reported near Mt. Since 2010, some 336 tornadoes have touched down in North Carolina, according to data from the National . Inside that structure, you want . CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A First Alert Weather Day is in effect for Friday, due to heavy rain and gusty winds for the Carolinas. A Tornado Watch was also issued for Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Rutherford counties until 12 a.m. A Flash Flood Warning was issued around 10:55 p.m. for Burke and Caldwell County in NC until 2:00 a.m. Thursday. In Watauga County in North Carolina, a severe thunderstorm moving north of Boone produced hail upwards of an inch in Sugar Grove and Silverstone. Be aware of damaged power or gas lines and electrical systems that may cause fires, electrocution or explosions. Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. No injuries or major damage was reported from the storms as of 6:30 p.m. Indian Trail and Weddington in Union County and Fort Mill and Lake Wylie in York County, S.C., also fell under warnings. Given the intensity and timing of the storms early Thursday afternoon, the possibility of a second round of storms later Thursday was now less likely to happen. A tornado watch issued south and east of the Charlotte area has been allowed to expire. For all still hoping: Snow has defied meteorological winter in Charlotte before, Make the most of spring-like weather in Charlotte with these outdoor activities, If theres a winter heat wave in Charlotte now, this is what can you expect for spring. If you like weather,watchBrad Panovich and the WCNC Charlotte First Warn Weather Team on their YouTube channel, Weather IQ. A tornado watch has been issued for parts of North Carolina and Virginia until 12 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/Hvp4YXOk26. Crouch and cover your head. The National Weather Service would issue Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Tornado Warnings when life-threatening weather is occurring in real-time. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. several chicken houses were destroyed along with substantial tree damage. Near Polton, several chicken houses were destroyed along with substantial tree damage. #ncwx #WeatherOnThe1s @SpecNews1RDU @SpecNews1ILM pic.twitter.com/lsE21xsfLo. These percentages are historically very high for the Carolinas. Storms arrived in the Charlotte area just after 3 p.m., when the York County Sheriffs Office reported downed power lines on Lawrence Road at Beamguard Road in Clover. Charlotte has a 30% chance of showers on Thursday, mainly before noon, followed by sunny to mostly sunny skies through Monday and partly sunny skies next Tuesday, according to the NWS. The remnants of Tropical Depression Fred spawned at least two possible tornadoes north of Charlotte on Tuesday and left 39,200 Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas without power, including about 3,000 in the Charlotte area.