NC Weather: Possible Flooding Over Memorial Day Weekend

CHARLOTTE, NC — This Memorial Day weekend will see plenty of rain and possibly localized flooding throughout the Carolinas as a tropical development in the Gulf moves into the region, according to forecasters.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected in the Charlotte metro and Lake Norman regions Friday, and will likely stay in the forecast through most of next week, too.

“With plenty of moisture in place, localized flooding is possible today and tonight from any heavy downpours associated with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms,” the National Weather Service said in a hazardous weather outlook bulletin Friday morning.

While heavy rain is possible every day of the weekend, Sunday’s weather may also include flooding, NWS warned, adding “Tropical moisture interacting with a frontal zone may bring organized heavy rainfall back to the region.”

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A low pressure system in the Caribbean is expected to become a tropical system when it enters the Gulf, the National Hurricane Center said. The center has forecast the chances of the system forming into the first tropical depression or storm of the 2018 season to 90 percent. The tropical storm would be named Alberto if it forms.

Forecasters say the system is expected to form into a tropical depression or storm by Saturday morning and track to the north.

Whether it forms into a tropical depression or not, North Carolina stands to get a drenching, say state weather forecasters.

“For the first time in 2018, we have our eye on potential tropical development in the Gulf of Mexico,” National Weather Service Raleigh said Friday morning. “Regardless of development, periods of heavy rain are expected this weekend with Monday unfortunately looking like the wettest day.”

Here is National Weather Service’s forecast for the Memorial Day weekend:

Today (May 25)
Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday (May 26)
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. South southwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday (May 27)
A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind around 6 mph.
Sunday Night
Showers likely, mainly after 9pm. Cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Memorial Day (May 28)
Showers likely before 9am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 9am and 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tuesday (May 29)
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2pm and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Patch Editor Don Johnson contributed to this report.

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