foothills

A slow-moving cold front will bring heavy rain and potential flooding to the Charlotte metro, Piedmont, and Foothills regions through Thursday evening. A flood watch is in effect for the area.

Hot weather with temperatures in the 90s will persist through Thursday, with dry conditions and fire weather concerns. Rain and cooler temperatures are expected to return early next week, with increased thunderstorm activity on Monday and Tuesday.

Rainy Monday caused flooding in some areas despite being needed. The Flood Watch for the mountains and foothills has expired, though flooding may persist east of these regions.

Heavy rain and flash flooding are possible today, with a Flood Watch in effect for mountains and foothills through 8 p.m. Temperatures will remain in the upper 70s due to clouds and rain, but heat is expected to return by Thursday with highs in the 90s. Drier weather is forecast for tomorrow.

Severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts are possible this afternoon in the Carolinas, followed by a dangerous heat wave next week that will bring heat indices exceeding 100 degrees through the July 4th weekend. The heat wave, driven by an upper-level ridge, will suppress storm activity and raise temperatures 5-10 degrees above normal.

Severe storms with damaging straight-line winds are possible this evening, particularly in mountainous and foothill regions. Temperatures are expected to remain seasonable early in the week before rising to mid- to upper-90s by the weekend.

Strong to severe storms are forecasted for the foothills and high country this afternoon, bringing damaging winds and heavy rain. Storms are expected from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., with models suggesting most activity remains north of Mooresville. After the storms, humidity will drop before a major warm-up next weekend.