Storms and Sub-freezing Temperatures Expected in North Carolina: A Cold Front Brings Heavy Rain and Winds

A powerful cold front is sweeping across North Carolina on Wednesday, shaking up an already unstable weather pattern. By Tuesday night, showers and thunderstorms had already begun to take hold in the western part of the state, setting the stage for a dynamic weather shift.

As the front pushes eastward, a line of storms will steadily march across the state, bringing intense downpours, gusty winds, and the potential for severe conditions. Residents should brace for a turbulent day ahead as Mother Nature makes her presence felt with force.

The front will bring the potential of heavy rain, which could cause urban flooding, strong to severe wind gusts, and isolated tornadoes. Snow is also predicted in sections of the Alps late Wednesday. Rain will fall throughout the mountains and western Piedmont early Wednesday morning, disrupting the morning commute. This includes high-traffic locations like the Charlotte metro and the Triad, to mention a few.

Winds will gust between 20 and 40 mph, so make sure to secure loose outdoor things around your home, like holiday decorations. Because of the timing of the cold front, temperatures will drop throughout the day across the Alps and western Piedmont. Morning temperatures should be in the 60s, dropping to the 40s by late afternoon.

These effects will intensify in central North Carolina from mid to late Wednesday morning. Yes, scattered showers and storms are anticipated during the morning commute, which might lead to some downpours. However, based on the timing of the front, the most significant impacts will occur between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Wednesday across central North Carolina. Areas along and east of US 1 will have a better chance of seeing an isolated strong storm with damaging gusts. Further east along the I-95 corridor, the chance of severe storms is significantly greater, with the risk of an isolated tornado.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected in eastern North Carolina until Wednesday morning. The primary line of storms that pose a threat to severe weather will cross I-95 around noon and then move offshore by 6 p.m.