Winds, Rain From Growing Tropical Storm To Brush NC This Weekend

NORTH CAROLINA— An area of low pressure off the North Carolina coast is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm, as the weekend nears and bring heavy rain and strong winds to the mid-Atlantic region this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Chances are good for locally heavy rainfall with the potential for flash flooding Thursday into the weekend in eastern North Carolina as the coastal system moves up the Mid-Atlantic coast, the National Weather Service said.

Gusty winds are also expected along North Carolina's Outer Banks Thursday, forecasters said.

The system is expected to create wind gusts of up to 30 mph across northeast North Carolina Thursday, and heavy surf and dangerous rip currents through the weekend, North Carolina Emergency Management said.

The NHC puts the odds at 80 percent that the weather system will strengthen over the weekend into a tropical storm that would be named Fay.

Here's the latest weekend forecast for the Charlotte-metro region:
Today (July 9)
Partly sunny, with a high near 89. North northeast wind around 8 mph.
Tonight
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday (July 10)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 100. Light and variable wind.
Friday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Light southwest wind.
Saturday (July 11)
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind.
Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Sunday (July 12)
Sunny, with a high near 94.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.