Tornado Watch Issued As Severe Weather Moves Into Metro

CHARLOTTE, NC — The Charlotte metro and counties surrounding it are all under a tornado watch as severe storms move through the area. The watch includes 25 counties in North Carolina, including Mecklenburg and Iredell counties, according to the National Weather Service.

The tornado watch for the greater Charlotte metro is in effect until 5 p.m. A flash flood watch is also in effect for the region until Friday at 12 a.m.

Shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday, NWS issued a tornado warning for western Cabarrus County to be in effect until 11:45 a.m.

At 11:04 a.m., a tornado was cofirmed about 4 miles southwest of Gastonia and was part of a storm moving east at 60 mph, NWS said.

“Widespread heavy rainfall is already occurring across the region this morning,” the National Weather Service said in a weather bulletin Feb. 6. “The rainfall will increase in intensity today, and rainfall rates up to one inch per hour will be likely in the heaviest showers and thunderstorms. This could cause flooding to develop rapidly in low-lying areas.”

Weather was already affecting flights Thursday morning at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where many flights were delayed across the board. Airport officials urged all travelers to keep a check on their flights. Flight departure times from the airport may be checked here.