Flood Watch issued ahead of impacts from Idalia

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Hurricane Idalia will rapidly intensify as it tracks across the southeast Gulf of Mexico before it makes landfall in the Big Bend region along the Florida coast.

• Midweek: FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAYS Wednesday and Thursday
• Late Week: Sunshine, pleasant temps, low humidity
• Idalia: Florida bracing for major hurricane

Idalia is forecast to strengthen to a Category 3, which classifies as a major hurricane, with an expected landfall Wednesday morning. From there, Idalia will track along the South Carolina coast, south/east of the Charlotte area Wednesday night.

From there, Idalia will track along the South Carolina coast, south/east of the Charlotte area Wednesday night. The eventual track will determine how much rain falls and where, but at this point, the greatest risk for wind gusts to 40 mph and heavy tropical downpours will probably end up along and south of Interstate85.

A Flood Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for the area mentioned above due to the possibility of several inches of rain.

On the flip side, behind Idalia, much drier air will filter in, making for very comfortable conditions for Thursday afternoon, Friday and the start of the upcoming holiday weekend. High Thursday will be in the middle 70s followed by nighttime lows in the 50s. Low to middle 80s are forecast for Friday and Saturday with sunshine dominating. Sunday and Labor Day will likely remain rain-free but warm to the upper 80s to near 90°.

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- Meteorologist Eric Garlick

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