Weather News

After sunny afternoon, Charlotte area could wake up Thursday to another round of storms

Another round of thunderstorms could reach the Charlotte region early Thursday.

“Some of these storms will be severe, with damaging winds and isolated tornadoes possible,” meteorologists in the NWS Greer, South Carolina, office warned in a hazardous weather bulletin.

Storms could arrive in Charlotte between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., the NWS posted on Twitter on Wednesday.

Charlotte could be spared the worst of the storms, however, NWS meteorologists said.

“The greatest threat will be along and west of the Interstate 26 corridor” in South Carolina, according to the bulletin.

This image from a US Geological Survey webcam shows McMullen Creek down to a normal level at Addison Drive in Charlotte, NC, on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. A day earlier, heavy rains forced the creek to spill onto the roadway.
This image from a US Geological Survey webcam shows McMullen Creek down to a normal level at Addison Drive in Charlotte, NC, on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. A day earlier, heavy rains forced the creek to spill onto the roadway. US Geological Survey
This image from a US Geological Survey webcam shows water from McMullen Creek spilling onto Addison Drive in south Charlotte, NC, as heavy rains pass through the region on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Another round of severe weather could move through the area on Wednesday.
This image from a US Geological Survey webcam shows water from McMullen Creek spilling onto Addison Drive in south Charlotte, NC, as heavy rains pass through the region on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Another round of severe weather could move through the area on Wednesday. US Geological Survey

On Tuesday, tornado warnings were issued mid-afternoon for parts of York and Chester counties in South Carolina, but both expired without any confirmed tornado.

Since Monday, the NWS has issued severe weather alerts for Mecklenburg and surrounding counties for Tuesday, along with Upstate South Carolina and the N.C. foothills and mountains. But NWS meteorologist Justin Lane predicted the most severe storms would stick to South Carolina, which they did by 5:30 p.m.

Air travel was affected by the approaching storms Tuesday. At Charlotte Douglas International Airport, 306 flights were delayed — 156 outbound — as of 5:30 p.m., according to the tracking site FlightAware.

Charlotte forecast

Wednesday afternoon should be mostly sunny with a high of 79, before showers and thunderstorms have a 60% chance of returning before sunrise Thursday, according to the NWS.

Showers and thunderstorms have a 30% chance of returning before 2 p.m. Thursday, when the high could reach 72, the forecast shows.

Friday through Sunday should be mostly sunny but cooler, with respective highs of 62, 57 and 65, NWS meteorologists said. Monday and Tuesday should warm up, to 76 and 77, according to the forecast.

This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 8:30 AM.

Joe Marusak
The Charlotte Observer
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER