Severe Weather Risk Is Mounting in the Southeast Before Sunset

07/18/24 4:41 pm ET

North Carolina Regional Radar 07/18/24 4:32pm ETPhoto byNWS

Good afternoon everyone. As expected, scattered heavy showers & thunderstorms have developed over parts of North & South Carolina and Virginia; and are now starting to organize into a broken line.

This process will continue for the next few hours, and storms will organize even better as severe weather becomes more widespread. So far, the action in South Carolina is more of the scattered variety, but we have a very good cluster/line just to the east and southeast of Atlanta, GA.

This action will continue to slide to the east and southeast, and some of it has already reached severe limits in North Caolina and Virginia. For this reason, the National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 8pm ET in central and eastern North Carolina, and in southeast Virginia.

These storms have a history of 60mph winds, large hail, frequent lightning, and torrential rain. We also cannot rule out isolated tornadoes as these storms continue to organize and strengthen. Don't be surpised either if severe thunderstorm watches are extended down into South Carolina and Georgia as the evening wears on and the southern quadrant

National Weather Service - Severe Thunderstorm Watch - Swanquarter, NC