Piedmont Braces for Severe Weather

There's a tornado watch in effect for much of North Carolina.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for many parts of North Carolina. Those in the Piedmont include, Chatham, Davidson, Montgomery and Randolph. It's in effect until 9 p.m. tonight. Gail Hartfield is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.  She says low pressure in the central part of the country is sparking these severe conditions. "We have a combination of some very warm and moist air, high in humidity and some strong winds. Plus, with an approaching frontal system, the stage is set for severe storms and possible tornadoes," explains Hartfield.

Tonight, a severe threat will mainly be south and east of the Triad. Earlier today in Alamance County, thunderstorms were reported and at one point there were more than twenty lightening strikes within a few minutes. In the Wilson and Fayetteville areas, there have been some reports of tornadoes. They have temperatures in the 70's while here in the Piedmonts cool air is hovering.

Hartfield also stresses people need to understand the difference between a watch and a warning. "A watch means conditions are favorable for a severe thunderstorm or a tornado. A warning means severe has been observed or is imminent or is indicated by radar," explains Hartfield. "So if we issue a tornado warning, that means a tornado has been spotted by radar or by someone on the ground."

There is also a flash flood watch in effect through late Wednesday night (April 30).  It covers a portion of Central North Carolina including the following counties: Alamance, Anson, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Franklin, Granville, Guilford, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Orange, Person, Randolph, Richmond, Stanley,  Vance, Wake and Warren.

Since March 1, the Piedmont has gotten 8.29 inches of rain. Normally, the rain fall is 7.08 inches. According to Ellis, another 2-3 inches of rain may fall between now through Thursday, May 1.