Tropical Storm Elsa: Heavy Rain Expected Across NC

CHARLOTTE, NC — Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to dump rain throughout North Carolina Thursday, with the heaviest rainfall expected in the central region of the state, according to forecasters.

In the Charlotte metro area, the main threats of heavy rainfall Thursday morning were along and east of the Interstate 77 corridor, with isolated heavy rainfall to the west, the National Weather Service said.

Widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected into the afternoon, NWS said in a hazardous weather outlook bulletin. "Isolated thunderstorms may continue into the evening," NWS said. "The main threats with this activity include periods heavy rain with isolated flooding and cloud-to-ground lightning."

As of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, at least 1,700 power outages have been reported throughout the state. A map of current outages by county may be viewed here.

The storm isn't expected to let up while in North Carolina, state emergency officials warned.

"Tropical Storm Elsa is forecast to remain at tropical storm strength while moving through NC," North Carolina Emergency Management said Thursday morning. "The heaviest rains are forecast for Central NC, but overall 1-3 inches with localized totals of 5 inches are possible statewide through Thursday evening."

The potential for the most severe weather, including possible tornadoes, will occur along and east of the Interstate 95 corridor, NCEM said.

Here is the National Weather Service's forecast for the Charlotte metro through the weekend:
Today (July 8)
Occasional showers, mainly before 3 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog before 3 p.m. High near 81 degrees. Northeast wind 11 mph to 14 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tonight
Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 10 p.m., then isolated showers between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71 degrees. South southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday (July 9)
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89 degrees. West southwest wind around 6 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70 degrees. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday (July 10)
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89 degrees. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71 degrees.

Sunday (July 11)
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then a chance of showers between midnight and 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Monday (July 12)
A chance of showers between 10am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 88 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.