Tornado Watch in effect for Charlotte area as remnants of tropical storm cross NC

A tornado watch is in effect for Charlotte and surrounding counties until 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, as the remnants of former Hurricane Nicole cross the Carolinas.

The weather alert was issued at 6:15 a.m. Friday and covers dozens of North Carolina counties that remain in the path of the storm.

A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area.

The region is also under a wind advisory until 7 p.m., with forecasters predicting “east winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.”

“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” the National Weather Service says.

“Heavy rain today will saturate the soil and weaken the root system of some trees, allowing the wind gusts to blow down and uproot some trees.”

The forecast also includes thunderstorms, cloud-to-ground lightning, 3 to 5 inches of rain, and “minor” flooding, officials say.

A 100% chance of rain is forecast until around 9 p.m. Friday. The chance of rain drops to 60% overnight.

This story was originally published November 11, 2022 at 6:56 AM.