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A cold front plowed across the Carolinas this morning, ushering in an outbreak of unseasonably cold air.
By Wednesday morning, readings in the Charlotte area are expected to be in the upper 20s, and forecasters are expecting heavy snow Tuesday in the mountains.
A freeze watch has been posted for the Piedmont of the Carolinas, covering the entire Charlotte metro region, and winter storm warnings are in effect for the North Carolina mountains. A lake wind advisory is in effect today in the Piedmont.
Farther to the east, tornado watches were posted for a large part of the central and eastern Carolinas. Thunderstorms along the cold front became severe in the eastern third of North Carolina, and there were several tornado warnings issued late this morning and early this afternoon near the coast.
There were several reports of damaging hail and damaging winds in northeastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia. The severe weather is expected to move off the coast early this afternoon.
The lake wind advisory will remain in effect this afternoon in the Charlotte region, with winds of 15 to 25 mph this afternoon and gusts near 35 mph.
Calmer conditions are forecast later tonight, but it will turn cold. Lows Tuesday morning will be in the low to middle 30s, and despite partial sunshine Tuesday, highs will only be in the lower 50s. Forecasters have issued a freeze watch for Wednesday morning, with subfreezing temperatures expected.
Warming is expected by Thursday, with highs near 70. The advance forecast for Easter is for sunny skies, with morning lows in the upper 40s and afternoon highs near 70.
The cold air is expected to trigger frequent show showers late tonight and Tuesday in the mountains. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for areas above 3,500 feet, where 4 or more inches of snow could accumulate. In the mountain valleys, including the Asheville area, from 1 to 2 inches of snow are predicted for Tuesday.
