Charlotte North Carolina News

Any rain in the next few days will soak the ground ahead of the tropical moisture, which will move in later this week. Stay Weather Aware for these impacts. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A cold front moving in from the northwest is expected to bring showers and storms to the Charlotte area on Wednesday while the Carolinas are bracing for potential impacts from Tropical Storm Helene in the coming days.  When will the Carolinas see the…

Chief Brad Panovich and the WCNC Weather Impact Team explains the impacts set to come from Hurricane Helene. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hurricane Helene continues to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico with widespread impacts expected in the Southeast and Carolinas later this week.  As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Helene reached hurricane status with 80 mph winds. The storm is about 85 miles north-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico. Helen is moving north-northwest at 10 mph and speeding…

Even though hurricane activity is lower than expected, experts urge people to stay prepared. Hurricane season isn’t over until Nov. 30. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Helene is expected to make landfall this week in what has been a slower than expected hurricane season. For the last 40 years, Colorado State University has predicted how many storms it expects each year. But so far in 2024, predictions have been off. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 2024 hurricane season gets an upgrade,…

Even though hurricane activity is lower than expected, experts urge people to stay prepared. Hurricane season isn’t over until Nov. 30. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Helene is expected to make landfall this week in what has been a slower than expected hurricane season. For the last 40 years, Colorado State University has predicted how many storms it expects each year. But so far in 2024, predictions have been off. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 2024 hurricane season gets an upgrade,…

Chief Brad Panovich and the WCNC Weather Impact Team explains the impacts set to come from Hurricane Helene. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tropical Storm Helene continues to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico with widespread impacts expected in the Southeast and Carolinas later this week.  As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, Helene has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. It’s located about 60 miles east-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico. Helene is moving northwest at 9 mph. Hurricane warnings…

Chief Brad Panovich and the WCNC Weather Impact Team explains the impacts set to come from Hurricane Helene. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tropical Storm Helene continues to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico with widespread impacts expected in the Southeast and Carolinas later this week.  As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, Helene has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. It’s located about 60 miles east-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico. Helene is moving northwest at 9 mph. Hurricane warnings…

Chief Brad Panovich and the WCNC Weather Impact Team explains the impacts set to come from Hurricane Helene. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Potential Tropical Cyclone No. 9 was upgraded to Tropical Storm Helene, as of the 11 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center on Tuesday morning. This is the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season. HYPERLOCAL IMPACTS: For continuing updates on Helene in the Carolinas, see updates from the WCNC Weather Impact Team…

Any rain in the next few days will soak the ground ahead of the tropical moisture, which will move in later this week. Stay weather aware for these impacts. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A cold front moving in from the northwest will bring scattered showers and a few storms to the Charlotte area on Tuesday and Wednesday. That comes ahead of a tropical system that is expected to impact the Charlotte area in the coming days….

Chief Brad Panovich and the WCNC Weather Impact Team explains the impacts set to come from Hurricane Helene. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A storm system that is expected to become Hurricane Helene and currently identified as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is forecast to form in the Gulf of Mexico. The current cluster of thunderstorms associated with this future storm is currently identified by meteorologists as PTC9. Rapid intensification is expected to quickly grow the storm into…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sunday, Sept. 22 isn’t just the first day of fall, it’s one of the most notorious weather anniversaries in the Carolinas: This Sunday marks 35 years since Hurricane Hugo slammed into the Carolinas. Today in 1989, the storm made landfall near Charleston and moved into Charlotte as a Category One hurricane with 90-mph winds. WCNC Charlotte’s own Larry Sprinkle was live on-air when the ceiling in the studio actually caved in.  Sprinkle…

Temperatures, humidity, wind, and precipitation can all impact the start and spread of wildfires. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Fall is one season when North Carolina sees a peak in wildfires.   Ninenty-nine percent of wildfires in North Carolinas are caused by human activity, according to Philip Jackson of the North Carolina Forest Service. Weather can either suppress the fire or cause it to spread.    “You have a lot of leaves that will start changing colors,…

Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 never officially became a tropical storm even though its impacts and wind speeds match the criteria. Here is the reason why. WILMINGTON, N.C. — On September 16, a strong low-pressure system made landfall in the Carolinas. The storm had wind speeds sustained to 50 mph with gusts over 60 mph.  Despite having winds strong enough for a tropical storm, this tropical weather system never received a name. Instead this slow-moving system…

Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 never officially became a tropical storm even though its impacts and wind speeds match the criteria. Here is the reason why. WILMINGTON, N.C. — On September 16, a strong low-pressure system made landfall in the Carolinas. The storm had wind speeds sustained to 50 mph with gusts over 60 mph.  Despite having winds strong enough for a tropical storm, this tropical weather system never received a name. Instead this slow-moving system…

Tropical impacts through Tuesday night. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Today Weather Aware: Rain has moved in and will continue through the day. Expect mainly a light to moderate rainfall with the best chance for heavier rain, moves in throughout this evening. Winds will also increase through the day as Charlotte and areas east are under a wind advisory until 2 a.m.. Periods of rain with gusty winds ranging from 30-40 mph could lead to some downed and…

The cost of landfalling hurricanes and tropical storms increases yearly because of inflation and coastal development. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The United States has seen at least one tropical event costing a billion dollars for nine years in a row. The most recent was Hurricane Berly from this year.  The cost of tropical storms and hurricanes goes up every year. Over the past 30 years, the average damage cost has increased between 3% to 4% per year….