Tracking Nicole: First Alert Weather Days for Thursday and Friday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A First Alert Weather Day is in effect for Thursday through Friday, due to heavy rain and gusty winds for the Carolinas. Rainfall of 1″ to 3″+ is possible, with winds gusts up to 40 mph. Another First Alert Weather Day has been issued for a chilly rain for next Tuesday.

• Heavy rain develops Thursday afternoon through Friday night.
• Gusty winds of 35 to 40 mph are possible on Friday.
• NEW First Alert Weather Day issued for next Tuesday, as a chilly rain is expected.

Tonight will be mostly cloudy and chilly, with overnight low temperatures in the upper 40s for the piedmont, and upper 30s in the mountains.

Nicole is expected to be a strong tropical storm or category 1 hurricane as it makes landfall in Florida tonight, and moves across Florida into early Thursday morning.

The outer rain bands from Nicole are expected to move across the Carolinas from south to north on Thursday, with heavy rain possible at times. Thursday will feature mostly cloudy skies, with more widespread rain developing through the afternoon and evening hours. Thursday afternoon high temperatures will be mild, with mid-60s for the piedmont, and mid-50s for the mountains.

Panthers Kickoff Forecast: Rain showers are expected for the Carolinas Panthers game Thursday evening, with temperatures cooling to around 60 degrees, along with breezy conditions. Make sure you take your rain jacket or poncho with you, and dress for cool conditions.

Heavy rain will continue to develop in the Carolinas Thursday night through Friday, with gusty winds around 35 to 40 mph likely. Depending on the exact track of Nicole, a quick spin-up tornado could develop, especially as the center of circulation from Nicole passes over or near the WBTV viewing area Friday afternoon. Rainfall of 1″ to 3″+ will likely develop, and could cause some localized flooding and travel issues. The highest chance for a quick spin-up tornado will be for areas along and east of I-85. The highest chance for flash flooding will develop for the NC mountains. Make sure you have the WBTV First Alert weather app on your mobile device, so you can be alerted of any severe warnings, and stay tuned to updates on-air and online throughout the day Friday.

Rain showers are expected to diminish Friday night as Nicole moves out of the Carolinas, and as a cold front approaches from the west. The cold front could set off a few spotty showers on Saturday, as cooler air moves in. Saturday afternoon high temperatures will be near 70 degrees for the piedmont, and around 50 degrees for the mountains. Sunday will be colder, with partly cloudy skies and high temperatures in the 50s for the piedmont, and upper 30s in the mountains.

Colder air lingers over the Carolinas throughout next week, with another FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY for next Tuesday. Scattered rain will be possible on Tuesday, with some wintry precipitation possible in the NC mountains. There is still plenty of uncertainty with regard to precipitation amounts, impacts, and type, so stay tuned to more updates in the coming days.

You will need your winter coat next week, with morning lows ranging from the lower 30s to around 40 degrees, and afternoon high temperatures generally in the 50s. The NC mountains can expect morning low temperatures in the 20s for early next week, with afternoon high temperatures in the upper 30s to lower 40s.

Download the free WBTV Weather app on your mobile device, to receive weather alerts, check radar, see updated tropical tracks, and get your latest WBTV weather forecast on the go. You can also get the latest weather forecast on Roku and Amazon Fire’s WBTV app.

Stay tuned for more updates on Nicole’s impacts, and rain chances for next week.

Meteorologist Jason Myers

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