Rain, high winds and thunderstorms may beat Santa to the Carolinas, forecasters say
A winter storm system moving from the central U.S. could bring some rain, thunderstorms and strong winds to parts of the Carolinas the week before Christmas.
The system is expected to bring winter weather, including snow and freezing rain to the central U.S. and heavy rain and severe thunderstorms to parts of the South on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
Although severe thunderstorms are not in the forecast for the Carolinas, rain and thunderstorms are possible in the area early in the week, forecasters say.
Western North Carolina near the Tennessee border could see rain starting Sunday, the NWS says. On Monday, parts of North Carolina and the majority of South Carolina could see “rain/thunderstorms”, while other areas of North Carolina could see just rain, the NWS says.
The southwest North Carolina mountains are expected to feel “the brunt” of rainfall, and some areas could get up to 2 inches on Monday night, according to the NWS.
With this, forecasters expect “moderately strong” winds in elevations above 3,500 feet, possibly prompting a wind advisory but not a high wind warning.
In Charlotte, showers are likely Monday night and into Tuesday morning, with a thunderstorm possible before 1 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
A chance of showers starts Monday night in Raleigh, with a 50 percent chance of precipitation, the NWS says. Chances increase to 90 percent Tuesday, with up to three-quarters of an inch possible and wind gusts up to 24 mph.
In the Morehead City area, widespread rain is expected starting late morning Tuesday, with isolated thunderstorms possible on the coast and offshore, the NWS says. In the Wilmington area, isolated thunder is possible Tuesday afternoon, forecasters say.
In South Carolina
Widespread showers are forecast for the Columbia area in South Carolina on Tuesday, with 1.6 inches of rain possible, the National Weather Service’s Columbia office says.
The area could also see thunderstorms, according to the weather service.
Showers are also likely Tuesday, with possible thunderstorms, across most of the state, according to the NWS.
This story was originally published December 15, 2019 at 1:51 PM with the headline "Rain, high winds and thunderstorms may beat Santa to the Carolinas, forecasters say."
