‘Powerful’ storms with possible tornadoes headed to Charlotte and mountains, NWS says
Powerful storms with heavy rains, large hail and possible tornadoes could sweep across the Charlotte region and mountains this weekend, NWS meteorologists said Saturday.
“A strong tornado or two cannot be ruled out,” according to an NWS alert.
“Our hackles are definitely up about this,” NWS meteorologist Mike Rehnberg told The Charlotte Observer on Friday.
Severe weather is forecast to barrel first into the Georgia mountains from Louisiana and Mississippi and into the Carolinas mountains by early Sunday, Rehnberg said.
Storms are expected in the Charlotte area just before and after daybreak Sunday, he said. “We think the severe risk will be a two- or three-hour period,” Rehnberg said.
Storms also could redevelop Sunday afternoon, but the risk is much lower and “we’re not as concerned about that,” he said.
“The main hazards with any severe storms that develop are damaging wind gusts and tornadoes.,” according to an NWS hazardous weather outlook bulletin early Saturday for all of Western North Carolina, the South Carolina mountains and York and Chester counties, S.C.
“Gusty non-thunderstorm winds will develop today into tonight, with gusts from 25-35 mph expected east of the mountains.,” according to the bulletin.
On March 5, an EF-1 tornado packing 90-mph winds damaged buildings and snapped and uprooted trees in Union County as severe storms swept across the Charlotte region.
The tornado touched down near Porter Ridge High School around 8:35 a.m. and blew the school tennis court fence over, according to an NWS public information statement. No injuries were reported.
Charlotte forecast
Charlotte was under mostly cloudy skies on Saturday, with a high of 75 and gusts up to 23 mph, the NWS forecast at 1 p.m. Saturday showed.
Showers are likely after 5 a.m. Sunday, with gusts up to 36 mph and a high near 75, the forecast showed. Sunday has a 100% chance of showers.
Skies should remain sunny to mostly sunny through Friday, with predicted highs of 62 on Monday, 72 on Tuesday, 77 on Wednesday, 66 on Thursday and 64 on Friday.
This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 11:04 AM.