Eric Thomas
Chief Meteorologist
Charlotte, NC
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Multiple Emmy Award winner for Weather Broadcasts. Also, have been voted as Charlotte's Best by various publications around Charlotte. American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval. But the biggest honor for me happens every day when someone turns on WBTV and gives me a chance to inform them about upcoming weather. Thank you for that opportunity. I'll do my best never to let you down!!
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First Alert Weather: Hurricane Ida could clip the NC mountains.
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If you have outdoor plans however, thunderstorms are highly unlikely to get in your way as we are forecasting mostly sunny skies through Monday.
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That downward trend should continue over the weekend which should make anyone with outdoor plans happy.
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Stay alert if you live in a flood-prone area as area creeks and streams may not have crested yet.
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After some light showers arrived on Friday afternoon ahead of schedule, more showers are expected overnight and becoming heavier in spots toward daybreak.
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Friday will be another quiet summer day and then the questions begin for Saturday.
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Sunshine will be more noticeable which will contribute to the warming trend.
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Hard to believe, but we’ll spend a good portion of next week in the low and mid-80s during the daytime.
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There is good news as temperatures will gradually back off over the weekend
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Temperatures are likely going to climb later next week and for the first time, heat index values have a good chance of getting up and over 100°.
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Smoky air from western US wildfires continues to pour into the Carolinas. We will remain in a code Orange regime for the remainder of Thursday.
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Along those lines, we have experienced 22 90-degree days so far this summer.
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Along with these conditions always comes those scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms.
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After a week when the Carolinas were hit by Elsa and followed up by a line of storms on Friday, the weather will shift back to a less turbulent pattern over the weekend, but that doesn’t mean it will be perfect for outdoor plans.
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Heavy rain and some stronger wind gusts will accompany the passage of Elsa, especially in areas along and east of I-77.
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It all adds up to a real, and rare treat for early July.
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Heavy showers and storms have been menacing the mountains most of the day and flooding concerns will increase overnight.
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A weak tropical disturbance over the western Atlantic will move into the southeastern United States on Monday.
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As the saying goes, all good things much come to an end, and for you fans of the milder weather, the end is near – this weekend.
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As if this week wasn’t accommodating enough, our data is now suggesting there is even less chance of rain or storms over the weekend.
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A few showers may creep into our eastern counties Friday afternoon, but most areas will remain dry and pleasant again.
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You can expect high temperatures to only reach the low 80s with sunshine over the next few days with much lower humidity as well.
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Some storms could be strong enough to produce small hail and locally damaging winds.
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Our pleasant summertime pattern continues and should extend through the end of the work week.
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The best chance of storms Saturday may not appear until very late in the day during the evening or overnight hours.
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Overnight, storms become more likely in areas west of I-77, but I’m not forecasting widespread rain and storms.
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We hit 73 degrees on Wednesday and may come close to 80 degrees by Friday.
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While the chances of rain aren’t zero through the weekend, the next good chance of rain arrives Monday next week along with Tuesday as well.
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We have a wonderful weekend on tap with bright skies and plenty of sunshine, but temperatures will remain cooler-than-average.
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High clouds will return on Thursday, but overall with highs back in the 50s again.
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A Winter Storm Warning is currently in effect for Avery, Ashe, and Watauga counties as 3 to 6 inches of snow is possible above 3,500 feet with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation likely in the lower elevations.
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A small batch of light is approaching the Carolinas tonight and will arrive as a light wintry mix in the mountains close to daybreak.
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Those clear skies may come back to haunt us overnight as that will allow surface temperatures to cool rapidly.
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Normally when we mention snow in our forecast we’re talking about the three or four mountain counties in this area of responsibility.
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A White Christmas is on the way for the mountains and the higher elevations of the foothills in Caldwell and Burke counties.
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An enormous celestial event is taking place right now with the peak occurring Monday evening shortly after sunset.
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As we shake off a chilly, damp, and gloomy Sunday, brighter days are ahead to kick off the holiday week.
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It isn’t too early to recap this historic 2020 season. Records were broken all over the place.
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Temperatures have generally been running at or above average over the past week, but that’s about to change and just in time for the weekend.
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If you have outdoor plans and errands you need to run, I’d suggest you do it Thursday because rain is a better bet again on Friday and that will continue through the weekend.
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The second half of the week and the upcoming weekend will experience an unsettled weather pattern with clouds and scattered showers around.
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Our next weak cold front is currently located over the Mississippi Valley this weekend and will work it’s way into the Carolinas on Monday increasing our chances for showers and storms to kick off the new work week.
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The heavy rain that hit our region on Friday marked the 9th day out of the last 12 days where Charlotte/Mecklenburg took a direct hit from rainfall.
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The best chance of encountering the early rainfall is in the western half of our viewing area.
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Tropical Depression 13 formed Wednesday night about 850 miles east of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles.
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After we enjoyed a break from the severe thunderstorms on Wednesday, strong thunderstorms are likely to make a quick comeback on Thursday and remain a factor through Friday too.
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Yet again highs will surge into the mid 90s with plenty of humidity along for the ride.