tornado warning charlotte nc now

Tree damage is likely. If the tornado is far enough away you can drive away from it in 90-degree angles until you find a safe place. We also see a secondary peak in the fall from August to October. Luckily, despite the vivid radar signature and observed rotation, no damage was reported after the storm. At 3:20 p.m., WBTV meteorologist Jason Myers reported wind gusts nearing 40 mph in Charlotte ahead of storms, and 30 mph sustained winds. 54 . In Mecklenburg County, a tree fell on power lines along Providence Road north of Sardis Road. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Strong to severe storms possible into early Wednesday night. The roadway was quickly cleared and reopened. A Tornado Watch has been issued for Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Rutherford counties until 12 a.m. Strong to severe storms are possible into our Wednesday evening hours, with scattered rain possible overnight into early Thursday, as a cold front moves through. A tree also was blocking part of Lawrence Road, and power was out in the area. This watch included, but was not limited to: Alexander, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lancaster Lincoln, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Richmond, Rowan, Union and Watauga counties. And it's worth noting: rainfall and lightning are not requirements for Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. High expected at @DENAirport. Crouch and cover your head. March 6-12 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina. A couple of tornadoes, along with quarter-size hail and gusts up to 70 mph are possible, according to the watch. Soaring temps to reach near-record highs in North Carolina. For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app. Crouch and cover your head. The National Weather Service issues a tornado watch when storms could produce severe weather in the hours ahead. The National Weather Service issued the tornado watch, which means conditions are right for the possibility of tornadoes, for upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina, including the . Sunny, warmer, and high pollen into midweek, In a post-Roe world, North Carolina has become an abortion landing place, Thunderstorm brings down trees in Mecklenburg County, FORECAST: Strong and severe storms possible this afternoon and early evening, Schools dismissing early due to severe weather threat, We've listed more severe weather safe places here. . Started 4 hours ago. An EF1 tornado can push a car and an EF2 can lift it off the road. Heres the latest forecast. DO NOT seek shelter under a bridge or overpass. Heavy rainfall associated with the remnants of tropical cyclone Fred will cross the area today. Keep your seatbelt on and duck below the winds and cover your head. An EF1 tornado can push a car and an EF2 can lift it off the road. Tornado Warnings were also issued for parts of the state. If you like weather,watchBrad Panovich and the WCNC Charlotte First Warn Weather Team on their YouTube channel, Weather IQ. At 12:36 p.m., a tornado was confirmed 14 miles north of Statesville near the rural Iredell County community of Harmony, according to the NWS office in Greer, S.C. To repeat, a tornado is on the ground, the NWS said in an alert. Roughly 1,029 were reported to be without power near Richburg, SC just before 2 p.m., according to Duke Energy. Storms arrived in the Charlotte area just after 3 p.m., when the York County Sheriffs Office reported downed power lines on Lawrence Road at Beamguard Road in Clover. You should also check in with family and friends regularly and let others know of any severe weather headed their way if they're not aware. Gilead, NC around 3:45 p.m. As of 11 p.m., roughly 1,000 customers in the Norwood area were still without power. . As weather conditions improve, our crews will begin making repairs and conducting a full assessment of the damage incurred, the Charlotte utility said. Given the intensity and timing of the storms early Thursday afternoon, the possibility of a second round of storms later Thursday was now less likely to happen. That warm air primed the atmosphere with "thunderstorm fuel" needed to make supercells, a powerful thunderstorm capable of becoming severe. See a list of all of the Official Weather Advisories, Warnings, and Severe Weather Alerts for Charlotte, NC. Example video title will go here for this video. TAKE COVER NOW! Brad Panovich's family keeps helmets in their safe space, along with other supplies for a tornado warning. If you like weather,watchBrad Panovich and the WCNC Charlotte First Warn Weather Team on their YouTube channel, Weather IQ. Similar to thunderstorms, the National Weather Service may issue a Tornado Watch ahead of storms. Lay flat on the ground and put your hands behind your head. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Wednesday brought the WCNC Charlotte viewing area's first tornado warning of the year -- and 14 of them in one day, at that. Just before 9 p.m., the city said crews had restored power to most customers impacted by the outage. Gusty winds not associated with storms will continue into tonight, with wind gusts around 35 mph at times. If the tornado is far enough away you can drive away from it at 90-degree angles until you find a safe place. The warning, which came around 4:40 p.m., was the only tornado warning directly within the Charlotte metropolitan area Thursday. Make sure you've turned on weather notificationsin case severe weather happens today. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A line of severe thunderstorms moved through Charlotte and the Interstate 77 corridor of North Carolina and South Carolina Friday, moving out of the region shortly after 9 p.m . "The time you take now to prepare will make all the difference if and when disaster strikes.". The tornado, with peak 110-mph winds, damaged a couple of homes and snapped trees 20 feet in the air on the Iredell-Alexander county line, the NWS team reported. Get to the lowest level, but use the stairs since an elevator could lose power. This story was originally published March 17, 2021, 11:20 AM. A warm, moist area moved into the Carolinas by Thursday midday. Cornelius, NC Weather Advisories - Warnings & Watches | AccuWeather Today Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities Cornelius Alerts 0 Active NO WARNINGS OR. News anchor Fred Shropshire is leaving Charlotte station WCNC. Check https://t.co/1yCZWavGsX for road updates. Now is the time to think of where your safe shelter is in the event of any tornado warnings tomorrow. A rotating thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado prompted the National Weather Service to issue a tornado warning for Charlotte and surrounding Mecklenburg, York, Union, and. https://t.co/teUeDe1gXx pic.twitter.com/EzZdzL2aXA. Rain and storms are expected to diminish in coverage overnight, after a cold front moves through, with isolated rain showers possible early Thursday morning, with low temperatures in the upper 50s. A tornado watch means a twister is possible, while a warning means one is expected, according to the NWS. The National Weather Service would issue Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Tornado Warnings when life-threatening weather is occurring in real-time. By comparison, a typical day has a tornado probability that is a fraction of a single percent. Thousands of other outages occurred earlier in the afternoon in the mountains, as heavy rains and intense thunderstorms barreled into the Carolinas. Through the late afternoon and evening hours, the line associated with an advancing cold front continues to move through eastern portions of the Carolinas. If a tornado warning sounds while you are in church or the theater, you'll want to find the lowest interior room without windows. Friday Night. There have been 2,400 power outages reported in Catawba County as of 8:15 p.m. Strong to severe storms are possible into our Wednesday evening hours, with scattered rain possible overnight into early Thursday, as a cold front moves through. "The time you take now to prepare will make all the difference if and when disaster strikes." In 2021, the NWS issued 194 tornado warnings for North Carolina and recorded 21 tornadoes. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A line of severe thunderstorms moved through Charlotte and the Interstate 77 corridor of North Carolina and South Carolina Friday, moving out of the region shortly after 9 p.m. As a result, Duke Energy reported 500 of their customers in the south Charlotte neighborhood were without power Thursday morning. A watch could expand across an entire region in advance of storms. Charlotte has a 90% chance of showers through the afternoon and evening, according to the NWS forecast at 2 p.m. Wednesday. At 6:15 p.m., at least 112 flights were delayed and four canceled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, according to FlightAware.com, which tracks flights at U.S. airports. Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter, the NWS said in an alert. Conditions will be sufficient for development of scattered strong to severe thunderstorms, NWS says. A line of storms brought the threat of heavy rain, damaging winds, hail, lightning and isolated tornadoes to the Charlotte region Friday. Duke Energy, on its website, said the high winds and heavy rains caused significant structural damage to its electrical grid in the mountains and foothills in North and South Carolina. Be mindful of others and move as quickly and safely as possible to an interior bathroom or storage room. If it is nearby, DO NOT try tooutrun it. Slight risk (2) remains in place for rest of SC Upstate & western NC Piedmont including Charlotte.#NCwx #SCwx #GAwx #CLTwx pic.twitter.com/ELgbXzpWnj. Severe thunderstorms earlier Thursday prompted several tornado warnings for counties in North Carolina and South Carolina. Winter storm update: 11 inches of snow forecast in NC mountains, all rain in Charlotte. Damaging winds and a spin-up tornado is possible. Creeks in the Charlotte area, including the Little Sugar Creek near Uptown Charlotte, remain high after about 1.40" of rain fell in Charlotte Thursday because of the storms. Wednesday brought the WCNC Charlotte viewing area's first tornado warning of the year -- and 14 . The warnings have all since expired. While damaging winds will be the greatest threat, there's enough spin in the atmosphere that a few brief tornadoes may spin up. 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. At 6 p.m Tuesday, about 2,000 of the outages were just north of Charlottes airport, according to the Duke Energy outage map. A place like under the staircase, an interior hallway or a room with no windows is your safe place. At least 1,000 homes and businesses lost power in the western Carolinas early in the day, according to Duke Energys online outage map. Since 2010, some 336 tornadoes have touched down in North Carolina, according to data from the National . The National Weather Service will issue tornado warnings on individual storms that are likely, or are already producing, a tornado warning. This story was originally published March 22, 2022, 11:09 AM. Damaging winds can occur in any storm -- regardless of whether or not that storm is producing a tornado. Video on social media showed rotation in clouds above Mint Hill. www.ReadyNC.gov, If driving, you should leave your vehicle immediately to seek safety in an adequate structure. There have been 2,400 power outages reported in Catawba County as of 8:15 p.m. Strong to severe storms are possible into our Wednesday evening hours, with scattered rain possible overnight into early Thursday, as a cold front moves through. Winter storm update: 11 inches of snow forecast in NC mountains, all rain in Charlotte. If you like weather, watch Brad Panovich and the WCNC Charlotte First Warn Weather Team on their YouTube channel, Weather IQ. We've listed more severe weather safe places here. The WCNC Charlotte Weather team will also provide real-time alerts on social media, and we'll be live on-air and online if conditions get worse. Charlotte, NC Severe Weather Alert star_ratehome. Of all the forms of severe weather possible Thursday, it is damaging winds that are most likely to be observed on a widespread scale. Panovich was also monitoring the significant tornado parameters, which measures the potential for rotation in storms, as well as the supercell parameter from the Storm Prediction Center. Keep your seatbelt on and duck below the winds and cover your head. Why fans love it. No matter where you are, whether it's at home, an apartment, in the car or out and about, you should always have a plan for severe weather. Be mindful of others and move as quickly and safely as possible to an interior bathroom or storage room. WOW! The top-ranked pie in North Carolina doesnt look like pie at all. Buford Middle School, Buford High School, Andrew Jackson Middle School, Andrew Jackson High School, and Indian Land Middle School were dismissed at noon on Wednesday. Current and future radar maps for assessing areas of precipitation, type, and intensity. Showers moved from the area by late afternoon, but more rain is expected overnight. The National Weather Service has reported sightings of hail as storms pushed through our area. In an apartment building, the same rules apply. A tornado warning for west-central Mecklenburg County was canceled at 6:30 p.m. Friday, as the severe storm that prompted the warning moved from the area, according to the National Weather Service . Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. A tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted, or that weather radar indicated a tornado had formed, according to the NWS. Published: Nov. 9, 2022 at 10:03 AM PST. Be mindful of others and move as quickly and safely as possible to an interior bathroom or storage room. WCNC Charlotte viewer Jake Lackey shared a video of hail coming down in his backyard in Lincolnton, NC, with plenty of it hitting bushes, concrete, and the pool. At 3 p.m., the NWS also retweeted video of a possible but unconfirmed tornado near Drexel in Burke County. If it is nearby, DO NOT try tooutrun it. Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. The tornado touched down near Burnt Umber Drive, just south of Reedy Creek Park, in east Charlotte, around 1:37 p.m., according to a preliminary report Tuesday. Numerous trees are down, county officials said in a news release, adding that emergency crews were assessing the extent of damage. Here are his plans. Panovich said the best timeframe for severe weather will likely be from around noon to 2 p.m. By 4 p.m., the trailing edge of storms will be moving through with a threat of strong storms. Flying debris tends to move even faster, making it more dangerous. Charlotte under Friday wind advisory, storms could leave power outages. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. In Watauga County in North Carolina, a severe thunderstorm moving north of Boone produced hail upwards of an inch in Sugar Grove and Silverstone. Some establishments will have a marked tornado shelter. "If it's going to happen, it's going to happen this afternoon as the front pushes off the east," Panovich said. Possible tornado in Burke County this is a video from @JoeyMosteller99 on Highway 70 in Drexel, NC. were reported in Mississippi and Alabama late Wednesday, damaging winds will be the greatest threat, California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Today's storm threat in North Carolina will be highest from late morning in the western Piedmont to the evening in the coastal plain, Damaging wind gusts will be the greatest threat from any severe storms today, There's also a low risk for a few brief tornadoes. If you live in a high-rise apartment building, get to a lower level or interior stairwell, as far away from windows as possible. Eastern North Carolina could see some supercells by 7 p.m. and into Thursday night. Ready NC has made a simple preparedness kit list you can get together well in advance: Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich gives the all-clear for severe weather after 14 tornado warnings. TAKE COVER NOW!. These percentages are historically very high for the Carolinas. #lawx #mswx pic.twitter.com/GoCOb3jugV. A tree was also blocking part of the road, with power dark in the immediate area. You should always wear shoes because if there is damage, you may have to walk through nails or broken glass. Now two NC men face prison. Earlier Wednesday evening, thecity of Morganton said approximately 1,000 customerswere without power in the northern part of the city due to a tree that had fallen on a power line on Kirksey Drive following the rain and wind conditions. It will be quite windy even outside of any storms with gusts up to 40 miles per hour. WARNING means a tornado has been spotted; take shelter immediately. #ncwx #WeatherOnThe1s @SpecNews1RDU @SpecNews1ILM pic.twitter.com/lsE21xsfLo. A tornado watch has been issued for parts of North Carolina and Virginia until 12 AM EDT . Gusty winds associated with the storm system also brought down trees. A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Avery, Burke and Caldwell counties until 6 p.m. The most severe storms barreled through southern Mecklenburg County from Upstate South Carolina late afternoon. ", The next 18 hrs of Future radar show the approximate timing of the rain and storms Thursday. You should always wear shoes because if there is damage, you may have to walk through nails or broken glass. A tornado warning for central York and Chester counties, S.C., expired at 6:15 p.m. Another warning that included York County was set to expire at 8:45 p.m. At 5:36 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 5 miles south of Chester, or near Chester State Park, moving north at 40 mph, the NWS posted in the alert a minute later. NO WARNINGS OR ADVISORIES IN EFFECT AT 9:53PM, At least 13 dead following multistate severe weather outbreak, Storm to lay swath of snow from North Dakota to New York, Cold storm will bring more heavy snow to California, Final full moon of winter rises Tuesday night, 5 things to know about the spring weather forecast in the US, Why these flights made unscheduled loops in the sky, Astronomy news: SpaceX rocket blazes through Florida night sky, New crew blasts off to International Space Station, East Palestine residents voice frustrations at tense town hall. Straight-line winds form when colder air in a thunderstorm hits the ground and rolls out, sometimes for miles, according to the NWS. News anchor Fred Shropshire is leaving Charlotte station WCNC. Know where the nearest safe room is, such as a basement or interior room and away from windows and go there immediately if you hear or see a tornado. In 2021, the NWS issued 194 tornado warnings for North Carolina and recorded 21 tornadoes. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Download it here. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings could then be issued for individual storms as needed. This will all come within a six-hour period, which will lead to some significant ponding in areas. RealVue Satellite. If you have helmets, put them on. When at home, you and your family need to go to their safe place. If you find yourself inside a tornado warning, you should immediately seek shelter inside a sturdy structure. Portions of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway in Midtown Charlotte were flooded Thursday as a result of the heavy rainfall. Gusty winds will develop during the day Saturday. If a tornado warning sounds while you are in a house of worship like a church or synagogue, or if you're at the theater, you'll want to find the lowest interior room without windows. Arrival delays of up to a half-hour were reported, after all inbound flights were held at their originating airports until 4:30 p.m. to avoid Charlotte-area thunderstorms, according to FlightAware. In addition, the NWS issued 1,114 severe . Watch out for flying debris. There were 109 flood incidents across the state. No injuries or home or business damage was immediately reported. Friday was a Weather Aware Day for the Charlotte region as storms brought the threat of damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes to the Carolinas. Some establishments will have a marked tornado shelter. Flooding issues will likely develop across the southern Blue Ridge escarpment region. Make sure you've got shoes on so you can leave without hurting your feet on possible fallen debris, If there's damage to your property, go ahead and take photos to help file future insurance claims. Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich gives the all-clear for severe weather after 14 tornado warnings. Deep tropical moisture from Fred is expected to dump heavy rains on the region and produce potentially severe thunderstorms, according to the hazardous weather outlook bulletin by the NWS office in Greer, S.C. Mecklenburg and surrounding counties were included in the warning, which lasted into early Wednesday. You should also have a battery-powered NOAA weather radio set to alarm and portable chargers handy in case you lose power during severe weather. RELATED: The dangers of hail: Severe Weather Preparedness Week: National Weather Service is the government agency responsible for issuing storm alerts. Hail causes over $1 billion in crop damage every year. Death toll rises following multiday severe weather outbreak. Crouch on the floor and cover your head as much as you can. If damage occurs during the storm, you will want to be wearing protective clothing when you emerge from your safe place. Example video title will go here for this video. Don't forget the jacket or umbrella if you head outside tonight. Copyright 2022 WBTV. Get the latest. Charlotte-based StarMed Healthcare canceled several COVID-19 testing events. Severe storms darted through the Charlotte area on Thursday, prompting tornado warnings, more than 100 flight delays and a move to remote learning by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. RELATED: Weather IQ: Understanding watches and warnings. Storms producing damaging hail, defined as hail one inch in size or larger, will prompt the National Weather Service to issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. Here are his plans. Thunder and hail in Meat Camp! This is the riskiest place to be during a tornado. As the severe storms moved through the greater Charlotte area Thursday, portions of York County and Chester counties in South Carolina, followed by Anson, Randolph, Stanly, Moore, and Montgomery counties in North Carolina, were under tornado warnings as meteorologists tracked rotation inside the severe thunderstorms. Nearly 1,000 Duke Energy customers in Catawba County were without power at 8:30 p.m., according to the companys outage map. If you're on the south side of Charlotte, you need to be in your safe place! Lake Wind Advisory. Windy, with a south wind 21 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. All rights reserved. Thunderstorm winds are capable of producing damage similar to a tornado. About 1 inch of hail was reported in the Lincolnton area around 4:55 p.m., roughly 1 inch was reported near Crowders around 4:56 p.m., and less than an inch was reported in Shelby around 4:50 p.m. About 4,000 people were without power as severe thunderstorms pushed through the at times Carolinas Friday afternoon. For all still hoping: Snow has defied meteorological winter in Charlotte before, Make the most of spring-like weather in Charlotte with these outdoor activities, If theres a winter heat wave in Charlotte now, this is what can you expect for spring. Freds rains were in northeast Georgia at 9:45 a.m., with showers beginning to move into western Upstate South Carolina and the N.C. mountains, Pratt said. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management and the Charlotte Fire Department will participate in the statewide tornado drill Wednesday, March 9, at 9:30 a.m. at Charlotte Fire Headquarters. This includes developing a family emergency and communications plan. The City of Morganton said city crews were working as quickly and safely to restore power to approximately 1,000 customers in the northern part of the city being affected by a power outage due to rain and wind conditions. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. A Tornado Watch was issued for parts of North Carolina through 8 p.m. A Tornado Watch has been issued for parts of the Sandhills and . Charlotte Waffle House found with live roach, unclean equipment during health inspection, The top-ranked pie in North Carolina doesnt look like pie at all. In short, know what to do before severe weather strikes by creating an emergency plan today. Fewer than 100 customers were without power as of 11 p.m. RELATED: Schools dismissing early due to severe weather threat. A basement is ideal, but if you don't have one, find the most interior room of your house away from windows. Thunderstorms with straight-line winds could spawn tornadoes, National Weather Service meteorologists warned Wednesday afternoon. Weather IQ, Cash (power outages mean banks and ATMs may be unavailable), Important documents and records (Photos, IDs, proof of residence, etc), Three-day supply of non-perishable food items, One gallon of bottled water per person, per day, Hearing aids and other specialty medical items, Baby, elderly and pet supplies if necessary, Family communication plan with emergency contact information. . In a mobile home, get out and run to a tornado shelter nearby. NWS forecasters predict highs near 71 Wednesday, 68 Thursday, 65 Friday, 61 Saturday, 60 Sunday, 68 Monday and 74 next Tuesday. At 11:45 a.m., Alexander County received reports of a tornado in the Hiddenite-Stony Point area. For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app. . Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. The biggest threats from Friday's storms were damaging winds, heavy rain, large hail, lightning and isolated tornadoes, with a flood risk for some areas depending on local rain totals. Emergency management officials confirmed the tornado, according to the NWS. Next Up. Heat wave to blanket Charlotte and Raleigh, NWS says. These winds could occasionally gust over 50-60 mph, causing spotty damage and downed trees. If a sturdy structure is not available, then stay in your car with your seatbelt on. Nearly 500 flights out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport were delayed during the severe weather and more than 85 were canceled, according to FlightAware. By Jason Myers, Bekah Birdsall, Al Conklin, Rachel Coulter and Elissia Wilson. The majority of the tornadoes in North Carolina have been on the lower end of the previously used Fujita Scale (F Scale) or the current Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale). Any enclosed place away from windows is your target. WCNC Charlotte Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich learned of storm damage in Stanly County caused by a possible tornado Thursday. Severe thunderstorms earlier Thursday prompted several tornado warnings for counties in North Carolina and South Carolina. Why fans love it, Driver arrested after video shows him nearly hitting students at their school bus stop. Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Now two NC men face prison. Northern Lancaster. Updated March 18, 2021 7:14 PM . Meteorologists expected a 5-10% chance of seeing a tornado in Charlotte and communities south and east. First, go to the lowest level of your home immediately. The big question is what happens behind the first wave, Munroe said, referring to the first wave of showers that stretched from the mountains to Charlotte through early afternoon. Hide under the pews or seats. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management officials recommend having a family emergency plan in place, so all members know where to go, who to call, and what to do during a disaster. A Tornado Watch was also issued for Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Rutherford counties until 12 a.m. A Flash Flood Warning was issued around 10:55 p.m. for Burke and Caldwell County in NC until 2:00 a.m. Thursday. Official website for the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. If a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued, you should move indoors immediately. Severe weather requires some preparation in advance, even when it's not the season for storms. Brandon Pope sent WBTV News this video of what he was seeing. If the tornado is far enough away you can drive away from it at 90-degree angles until you find a safe place. A Tornado Watch was issued for parts of North Carolina through 8 p.m. A Tornado Watch has been issued for parts of the Sandhills and southeastern NC until 8pm. Hail: Currently this threat is the lowest severe parameter for the area. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere. Panovich said that line could combine with instability in the atmosphere, creating the ingredients for strong thunderstorms. Duck below the dash and cover your head. Weather Preparedness Week; Statewide Drill is March 9. RELATED: A suspected tornado touched down Thursday near Polkton. Any enclosed place away from windows is your target. Crouch and cover your head. Panovich said the convective available potential energy -- known as CAPE, or "thunderstorm fuel" -- will build up in the middle of the day. You should always wear shoes because if there is damage, you may have to walk through nails or broken glass. Any storm can produce damaging lightning regardless of whether or not it is warned. As a cold front then moved eastward across the Carolinas, it produced storms along the boundary between the warmer, moist air and the cooler air riding along the front.