News Summary
A severe weather alert is now in effect for much of western North Carolina, raising concerns over the potential for hail and damaging winds. The Storm Prediction Center has indicated that hail up to 2 inches in diameter could impact the region. As a powerful spring storm system approaches, weather experts are monitoring conditions closely, with risks for tornadoes and wind damage extending across several states. Residents are urged to prepare for rapidly changing weather as thunderstorms are expected to develop over the weekend.
Asheville, North Carolina – A severe weather alert has been issued for much of western North Carolina, with the Storm Prediction Center highlighting a rare outlook for hail across the region. This alert includes a specific area where hail up to 2 inches in diameter or larger is possible, raising concerns among residents and officials alike.
Alongside the potential for significant hail, damaging winds are anticipated in associated areas, including Upstate South Carolina and northeast Georgia. The severe weather risk is categorized into elevated and low-risk zones, illustrating the varying impacts expected as storms develop late Thursday afternoon, continuing into the evening and overnight hours.
The WXII 12 First Warning Weather team is actively monitoring a powerful spring storm system currently affecting regions across the Central and Eastern United States. The onset of this severe weather comes as a broad upper trough approaches the Midwest late Thursday, fostering conditions conducive to hazardous storm activity.
Forecasts indicate the risk for both tornadoes and wind damage in western North Carolina, which will likely extend across several states from Illinois to Mississippi by Friday. Millions of residents are anticipated to feel the impact of this significant weather event, marking a notable shift in springtime conditions.
Conditions Leading to Severe Weather
Warm temperatures, consistently remaining in the 70s, are projected in North Carolina, particularly east of the Blue Ridge Parkway throughout the weekend. This warmth, combined with the influx of strong southerly winds, is expected to further energize the advancing storm system as it transitions into Saturday.
The powerful system is forecasted to transport moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, leading to increased humidity levels and heightened rain chances later in the weekend. The development of two strong cold fronts is predicted to be instrumental in creating severe storms across the South and Carolinas, starting with shifting risk areas into the Deep South and potentially generating supercell thunderstorms capable of producing EF-3 tornadoes.
Weekend Forecast
On Saturday, thunderstorms are expected to develop, with risks of high winds entering the North Carolina and Virginia mountains late into the night. Residents are advised to stay alert as the remnants of these storms may carry over into Sunday morning, maintaining chances for strong to severe storms.
The forecast indicates that Saturday will start out dry, with scattered showers developing later in the day. Rainfall totals for Saturday are predicted to remain low, with most areas receiving less than one-tenth of an inch. However, a notable shift is expected on Sunday, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains, where heavy rain could lead to accumulations of an inch or more by the evening.
As the weekend progresses, severe storms may begin overnight Sunday in the Piedmont Triad, with weather patterns predicting the possibility of straight-line wind gusts and tornadoes persisting until 1 PM on Sunday. There remains an element of uncertainty regarding additional storm development later in the afternoon, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance among residents.
Final Notes on Preparedness
With potential risks of damaging wind gusts and brief tornadoes looming, residents in western North Carolina and surrounding regions are urged to prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions. Reminders to stay tuned to updates and alerts from local weather sources will be crucial as the severe weather system progresses through the weekend.
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Additional Resources
- WLOS: Weather Alert for Western North Carolina
- WXII 12: Rain and Tornadoes Expected in North Carolina
- ABC News: Tornado Threat in the Midwest
- Weather.com: Severe Storms Overview
- Fox Weather: Latest Weather Forecast for Georgia and Florida
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- Google Search: Severe Weather North Carolina
