Charlotte area

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the entire Charlotte area and western North Carolina counties through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28. The main threats include strong winds, one-inch hail, and an isolated tornado, with storms expected late afternoon into the evening. After Tuesday, humidity will decrease, bringing milder weather for the weekend.

Severe storms are possible in the Charlotte area on Tuesday, though there is significant uncertainty about the severity of the threat.

A bright chain of lights was observed in the Charlotte-area sky on July 16, identified as Starlink satellites. The sighting occurred around 5 a.m., with SpaceX launching 29 satellites approximately 48 hours prior. The Find Starlink website confirmed visibility of the satellites and predicted another viewing on July 17.

A county in the Charlotte area has confirmed a case of cyclosporiasis. The Communicable Disease team conducted an interview with the patient to gather information.

The race for a North Carolina U.S. Senate seat remains closely watched as candidates Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley made campaign stops in the Charlotte area, accusing each other during events in Anson and Union counties.

Over 12,500 customers in Mecklenburg County, part of the Charlotte area, lost power due to severe storms as of 3:50 p.m.

A race team is being sued by a Cabarrus County company for over $75,000. A Romanian theft ring linked to the Charlotte area was dismantled in a multi-state SNAP fraud scheme involving illegal immigrants. North Carolina car owners face a notable change buried in the state’s new budget, and weekend storm chances are increasing with possible rain and cooler temperatures.

Four people were injured when a bus carrying a high school football team overturned in North Carolina. A 5-year-old boy was killed by his father in Mecklenburg County, and SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 Starlink satellites.

Overnight storms caused heavy rain and flooding in the Charlotte area, with 2 inches of rain recorded in 30 minutes. Streets were briefly underwater, and drains overflowed, prompting another storm warning for later Tuesday.

Autobell Car Wash locations in the Charlotte area are implementing a summer safety plan to protect workers from a heat wave with triple-digit temperatures. Measures include hydration breaks, job rotations, limited work shifts, and shaded cool-down areas to mitigate heat-related risks.

HVAC repair crews in the Charlotte area are working overtime due to a heat dome causing extreme summer temperatures. Cody Reid of Dilling Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical noted this summer's heat is comparable to 2015, with crews handling nonstop repair requests and working in dangerous attic temperatures. Tips to reduce strain on AC systems include raising thermostat settings and keeping curtains closed.

Extreme heat is building in the Charlotte area, with temperatures projected to reach near 100 degrees later this week and persist through the holiday weekend. Current conditions remain manageable due to storms to the west, but temperatures will rise daily with decreasing rainfall.

18-year-old Austin Washington drowned at Lake James in June, prompting loved ones to advocate for water safety awareness. Friends and family, including his best friend Armando Aviles, are mourning his death and raising funds for his funeral through a GoFundMe.

A heat wave and thunderstorms are expected to impact the Charlotte area, with storms moving from the mountains by dinnertime and heavy rain and lightning as primary threats. Next week, reduced storm chances will lead to dangerously high heat.

A man was arrested in Uptown Charlotte after a person was stabbed to death. A Catawba County businessman is accused of killing his partner, a kitten was rescued from a car engine in Gastonia, and the Charlotte area experienced heavy rain.

US gas prices have dropped below $4 for the first time since March, with the lowest price in the Charlotte area at $3.15 per gallon. This decline is attributed to falling crude oil costs, which are a primary component of gasoline pricing.

A potential tropical cyclone may bring heavy rain to the Charlotte area, though the heaviest rainfall is forecast to remain southwest of the region. Significant rainfall is expected across parts of the Gulf Coast.