Tornado Watch For Davidson, Cornelius: What You Need To Know

DAVIDSON, NC — A tornado watch is in effect for the greater Charlotte-metro area Sunday evening until 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. A wind advisory is also in effect until 10 p.m. for the piedmont of the state.

The tornado watch is in effect for 15 counties in North Carolina, including Mecklenburg, Iredell, Cabarrus, Union, and Gaston counties. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes.

Winds in the area are expected to be 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, NWS said. “Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution,” NWS said.

Here are tips from North Carolina Emergency Management during severe weather:

• Know the terms: WATCH means a tornado is possible. WARNING means TAKE ACTION: a tornado has been spotted; take shelter immediately.
• Know where the nearest safe room is in your home or work.
• Home – go to the basement under the stairs or to an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
• Schools, hospitals, offices – go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. Avoid long corridors with windows and large open areas with free span roofs like gyms.
• High rise buildings – go to an interior hallway, bathroom or closet and stay away from windows.
• Modular homes and vehicles – leave immediately and go to a sturdy building.
• If you are outdoors, and there is no shelter available, take cover in a low-lying flat area. Watch out for flying debris.
• If driving, you should leave your vehicle immediately to seek safety in an adequate structure. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle, and do not stop under an overpass or a bridge.

Here is the National Weather Service’s weather forecast for the week ahead:
Tonight (April 14)
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am, then a slight chance of showers between 1am and 2am. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 20 to 25 mph becoming west southwest 13 to 18 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday (April 15)
Sunny, with a high near 64. West northwest wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Monday Night
Clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Tuesday (April 16)
Sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming south southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 52. South southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Wednesday (April 17)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Thursday (April 18)
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday (April 19)
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday (April 20)
A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Sunday (April 21)
Sunny, with a high near 69.