Severe weather that had been forecast never developed Thursday night in the immediate Charlotte area, but there were several reports of tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail along and north of Interstate 40.
The tornado watch remained in effect for Iredell, Davie and Rowan counties in the wee Friday hours.
Forecasters said an area of showers and thundershowers in the Asheville-Spartanburg area eventually would bring rain to the Charlotte region early Friday, but severe weather was not expected with that system.
The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., said it received two reports of tornadoes Thursday night -- near the town of Advance, in Davie County east of Statesville; and in Clemmons, a suburb of Winston-Salem. No injuries have been reported.
One person had a close call in northern Iredell County, when a tree fell on a car in the town of Union Grove. A person inside the car at the time was not injured, officials said.
The National Weather Service said a funnel cloud was observed by the public about 8:40 p.m. near the town of Granite Falls, in southern Caldwell County between Hickory and Lenoir.
Earlier, there were reports of large hail, up to 1 inch in diameter, in Burke and Caldwell counties.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to end during the night, and at least partial clearing is expected Friday, with highs in the low to mid 80s.
Then another storm system is forecast to swing across the region Friday night, bringing a chance of showers and thunderstorms again.
After a partly sunny day Saturday, yet another storm system is forecast to arrive for Saturday night and Sunday. Another round of stormy conditions is expected Sunday, posing a threat to outdoor plans on Mothers Day.
Yet another strong storm system is forecast to arrive by the middle of next week.
