CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Strong to severe thunderstorms have returned to Charlotte and the surrounding counties of North Carolina and South Carolina after another day of above average heat.
The day's primary threat are severe thunderstorms capable of damaging wind and small hail. The National Weather Service will issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning any time a thunderstorm is capable of producing damaging 60 mph winds or 0.75" hail, the equivalent of a quarter coin.
Any thunderstorm, regardless of whether or not it is warned, is capable of producing dangerous lightning.
Severe weather in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
The National Weather Service issued at least two Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Charlotte Tuesday.
The first issued at 5:45 p.m., was for a storm over south Charlotte moving north towards uptown Charlotte. The storm's 60,000 foot height meant it was capable of producing small hail and damaging winds.
The warning was allowed to be discontinued before the core of the storm reached uptown Charlotte.
Regardless, strong winds and heavy rain were still seen in the city Tuesday evening.
A second warning near Charlotte was issued at 6:05 p.m., and included locations such as Stanley, Westport, Denver, Lowesville, Lucia, Iron Station, Lake Norman, Cornelius, northwest Charlotte and Huntersville.
The thunderstorm likely produced a downburst over northern Gaston County.
A downburst is caused when a thunderstorm expels damaging winds straight down from the core of the thunderstorm. Like a rock causing a ripple after being dropped into a pond, the burst causes winds to travel out in all directions.
As a result of the storms, approximately 5,000 people were left without power in Mecklenburg County. The Charlotte Fire Department reported some small stream and street flooding, downed trees and power lines, and elevator rescues as a result of the weather event.
Iredell, Rowan, and Cabarrus counties in North Carolina
Severe thunderstorms were also seen in Iredell, Rowan, and Cabarrus counties, including in the cities of Mooresville, Concord, and Kannapolis. There were no immediate reports of damage as of publication.
Severe thunderstorm damage in Burke County
An early severe thunderstorm produced damage near Morganton in Burke County. One inch size hail was reported on E T Camp Road, Johns River Loop and Piedmont Road. Damaging winds toppled trees along NC 18 and US 64 near the town of Chesterfield.
Lightning injuries in Avery County
A thunderstorm in Avery County is blamed for injuring six people standing outside near a tree.
Dangerous heat
The National Weather Service had issued heat advisories for most of North Carolina as far west as the Interstate 77 corridor, including Charlotte. Temperatures combined with the heat index made it feel upwards of 109 degrees outside.
Mecklenburg County had opened cooling centers to help residents avoid the dangerous heat.
Charlotte won't break the all-time record high on this date of 103 degrees, which is recorded without consideration for the added heat index.
Storms Tuesday were just another day of rinse and repeat.
At least a half-dozen trees were knocked down in the Charlotte area when severe thunderstorms popped up Monday afternoon, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the area.
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