Tropical Storm Fred To Dump Heavy Rain In NC: Forecast

CHARLOTTE, NC — As Tropical Storm Fred continues to bear down on its path to the Gulf coast of Florida Monday, forecasters warn that remnants of the storm could lead to flash flooding in areas of North Carolina by midweek.

Monday morning, the tropical storm was located about 80 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola, Florida, and was intensifying. As of around 9 a.m., Fred was clocking sustained winds of nearly 60 mph as it moved north at about 10 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

"Fred or the remnants of Fred will bring very heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and possible landslides to portions of Western North Carolina," the North Carolina Emergency Management said Monday morning. "The heaviest rain is expected Tuesday and Tuesday night, but heavy rain could continue into Wednesday."

Areas of the Charlotte metro could receive up to 4 inches of rainfall by Thursday morning, according to NWS.

While strong sustained winds are next expected in our state, there could be gusts up to 20 mph, NCEM said. Rain saturation of soil could also lead to downed trees, it warned.

"It currently appears the greatest tornado risk will remain to the south of North Carolina," NCEM said.

Here is the National Weather Service's forecast for the metro through the end of the week:

Today (Aug. 16)
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 3pm and 4pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday (Aug. 17)
Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Patchy fog before noon. High near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 72. Southeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday (Aug. 18)
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 11am and 5pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. High near 85. South wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Wednesday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday (Aug. 19)
A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Friday (Aug. 20)
A chance of showers between 11am and noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.