Tornado Watch, Flood Advisory In Effect Monday Evening

CHARLOTTE, NC -- A tornado watch is in effect for much of the Charlotte metro area, including all of Mecklenburg and Iredell counties, until 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

A tornado watch means that a tornado is possible, and that you should be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued in the area.

A flood advisory is also in effect for Mecklenburg County until 11 p.m., Oct. 23, with prediction of rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour, NWS said. (Sign up for our free daily newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Charlotte Patch. iPhone users can download the Patch app in the App Store. Plus, like Charlotte Patch on Facebook.)

This advisory is primarily to give drivers advanced notice of urban-related flooding, including poor-drainage areas, low-lying areas, flood-prone parking lots, underpasses, and intersections,” NWS said in an advisory. “The rainfall rates with these storms are very intense and drainage systems in major towns and cities may be overwhelmed in a very short period of time.”

While rain has dominated the start of the work week, skies are set to clear by Wednesday, with plenty of sun and cool autumn temperatures on tap through the weekend.