Charlotte expecting a few inches of rain this week as Hurricane Debby moves north
While Georgia and South Carolina are anticipating historic rainfall amounts from Hurricane Debby, Charlotte could see a few inches throughout the week as the Category 1 storm makes its way toward the Carolina coast.
Despite anticipating a small amount of rain, people should still take precautions in case things shift throughout the week, National Weather Service Meteorologist Andrew Kimball said.
“There’s still a lot of uncertainty on the rainfall amounts, and there’s still a chance that we could see those really heavy rain totals inch our way if the model track changes,” he said. “So people should still prepare for some heavy rain and flash flooding, even though, right now, we’re not expecting too big of impacts with the current forecast.”
By the time Debby makes its way to North Carolina, it is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm, The News & Observer reported.
It shouldn’t have much impact on Charlotte through Wednesday, Kimball said.
Debby had caused over 400 flight cancellations or delays as of Monday at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Tuesday will see scattered showers and cloud coverage that will keep temperatures toward the mid-80s, Kimball said. Tuesday and Wednesday will be slightly breezy, but “aren’t expected to be a big problem.”
Heavier rainfall should come later on Thursday and Friday, Kimball said. Charlotte is expected to see 2 to 4 inches throughout the week, while areas east of Charlotte could see closer to 6 to 8 inches.
The News & Observer also reported that the southeastern region, including Wilmington, Jacksonville and Lumberton, could see 16 inches. Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill are expected to get up to 8 inches.
Right now, Kimball said, Charlotte is expected to be on the western side of the storm. But if Debby’s path shifted from traveling northeast, and drifted westward in South Carolina toward the Upstate, then Charlotte could potentially see heavier rainfall.
“But right now, most of the guidance that I’m looking at doesn’t do that,” Kimball siad. “That’s still a possibility, but it’s not expected to happen.”
This story was originally published August 5, 2024 at 11:32 AM with the headline "Charlotte expecting a few inches of rain this week as Hurricane Debby moves north."
