Heavy Rain, Tornadoes, Hail Possible Throughout NC Thursday

CHARLOTTE, NC — Severe weather expected throughout most of North Carolina Thursday could include hail, gusty winds and tornadoes, the National Weather Service said Wednesday.

"We urge everyone to have a plan in place, multiple ways to receive warnings, and a place for shelter," NWS said.

"Heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to occur on Thursday," the NWS hazardous weather outlook bulletin said. "A few of these storms may become severe, producing damaging wind gusts, hail and a few tornadoes. The greatest threat for severe weather will likely occur in the foothills and piedmont."

Here is the National Weather Service's forecastthrough the weekend:

This Afternoon (March 17)
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Light south southeast wind.

Tonight
A slight chance of rain between 7pm and 9pm, then showers likely after 9pm. Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 56. East southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday (March 18)
Showers before 11am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 11am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Patchy fog before 11am. High near 71. South wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night
Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 9pm, then a chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. West wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday (March 19)
A slight chance of rain before 10am, then a slight chance of showers between 10am and 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. West northwest wind 6 to 13 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Saturday (March 20)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Sunday (March 21)
Sunny, with a high near 58.