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The Charlotte metro area's dry landscape could get a surprise dowsing today.
Forecasters say a weak cold front crossing the region, coupled with an area of energy in the atmosphere, could set off a few showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Earlier this week, meteorologists had predicted a dry week.
Measurable rain has not fallen at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport since June 17, and today offers the best chance until Sunday for a bit of precipitation.
Several clusters of showers and thunderstorms formed this morning in the mountains and drifted into parts of the Piedmont. The Hickory and Statesville areas got rain from some of those showers. Forecasters say that after a relatively quiet midday, more thunderstorms could form this afternoon and evening along the advancing cold front.
Harry Gerapetritis, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Greer, S.C., said the best chance of storms today will be along the Interstate 77 corridor.
Winds are expected to be gusty this afternoon, reaching 25 to 30 mph. The National Weather Service office in Raleigh has issued an advisory for an increased fire danger today, east of the Pee Dee River.
Conditions are forecast to become calmer tonight, followed by dry and nice weather Thursday through Saturday. Daily highs will be near 90 degrees, and the area's Fourth of July festivities should take place without a hitch.
By Sunday, another cold front is expected to cross the region, causing a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
