dpCHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Thursday remains a First Alert Day and if you have an early commute or morning plans, you’ll want to give yourself a extra time to get where you’re going.
The line of showers and thunderstorms we’ve been watching is becoming more organized as a slow-moving cold front settles into the Carolinas.
While a few stronger storms are still possible overnight, our biggest concern now is shifting to heavy rain and the potential for flash flooding.
The rain is expected to become more widespread overnight and continue into Thursday morning. Some of the heaviest rain may fall during the morning commute, which means you’ll likely encounter ponding on roads, reduced visibility, and, in a few spots, water covering low-lying roadways.
Flood watch issued
Because of the flooding threat, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for much of our viewing area through Thursday.
While not every neighborhood will experience flooding, the atmosphere is loaded with moisture, and storms may repeatedly move over the same areas. That’s when rainfall totals can climb quickly and flash flooding becomes a concern.
Expected rainfall totals
Some locations could receive 1 to 2 inches of rain, while isolated communities that see repeated storms could pick up 3 to 4 inches before this system finally begins to pull away.
The good news is that this unsettled weather won’t last forever.
As the front gradually pushes south late Thursday and into Friday, the flooding threat will slowly begin to decrease.
We’ll also enjoy a break from the heat, with temperatures running several degrees below average through the end of the week.
Bottom line:
- Thursday is a First Alert Day.
- Heavy rain is expected to continue overnight and into the Thursday morning commute.
- Flooding -not severe weather -is now the biggest concern.
- If you’re heading out early Thursday, allow extra travel time, slow down on wet roads, and never drive through flooded roadways.
- Cooler, more comfortable air settles in behind the front to finish the week.
I’ll be watching this through the night and into the morning because even small shifts in where the heaviest rain sets up can make a big difference. If anything changes overnight, I’ll have the latest update first thing Thursday morning.
Stay safe, take it slow on the roads, and I’ll help you get through it.
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