Charlotte has 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday

The Charlotte area has a 50 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms Thursday, with the mercury expected to hit 86 for a second straight day. The normal high is 75 degrees.

A light rain was falling in parts of uptown shortly before 7 a.m.

Any chance of rain is expected to disappear overnight, with all sunshine and a high of 87 forecast for Friday.

Showers are likely over the weekend, however, with the chance at 60 percent Saturday night and 70 percent Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Greer, S.C.

Any rain would be welcome in a region with only 8.88 inches of rain since Jan. 1. The normal amount by now is 13.50 inches.

This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 6:13 AM with the headline "Charlotte has 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday."