High Wind Warning For Parts Of NC Friday

CHARLOTTE, NC — High winds are expected in North Carolina Friday, as national forecasters warn that damaging winds could be felt across much of the western end of the state.

A high wind advisory is in effect for the Charlotte metro region, including Mecklenburg, Iredell counties, on March 2 until midnight, the National Weather Service said in a hazardous outlook warning.

A wind advisory means that gusts could be strong enough to make driving difficult, NWS said.

By 8:30 a.m. Friday, winds were already wreaking havoc through power outages across the state that left about 19,000 customers without electricity, according to North Carolina Emergency Management.

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“Strong northwest winds are expected to linger across the mountains through the day,” the NWS said. “Winds will increase across the Piedmont and foothills after sunrise and continue into the afternoon and evening. While the strong winds will begin to subside across much of the area late in the day, strong winds are expected to continue near the Blue Ridge in North Carolina through tonight.”

Here is the weekend forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today (March 2)
Sunny, with a high near 56. Northwest wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 33. North northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.
Saturday (March 3)
Sunny, with a high near 56. North northwest wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Saturday Night
Clear, with a low around 33. North wind 7 to 10 mph.
Sunday (March 4)
Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind 7 to 9 mph.
Sunday Night
Clear, with a low around 34.
Monday (March 5)
Sunny, with a high near 59.

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