Tuesday WX VLOG 8/17/2021: Tornado and flood threat today, here's the latest thinking on timing and areas impacted. #cltwx #ncwx #scwx #wcnc

Flash Flood Potential
In the Carolinas, Fred will bring a plume of tropical moisture to western North Carolina. Even though Fred itself may only skirt the state, this wave of tropical moisture, combined with a nearby stationary front, will dump upwards of 10" of rain in some areas.

First Warn forecaster Larry Sprinkle said some areas in the southwestern corner of North Carolina could see nearly a foot of rain. That's why the flash flood potential for some areas is considered extreme for Tuesday.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for western North Carolina, including Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga and Wilkes counties, until 8 a.m. Wednesday.

"Flooding is the main potential," Sprinkle said. "A few isolated tornadoes aren't out of the question for some areas today, too."

Storms capable of producing heavy rain over a short period will move into the area Tuesday afternoon and the waves of rain will linger for hours. Expect batches of heavy rain across the mountains and Piedmont, including the Charlotte metro area, during the morning, afternoon and nighttime hours Tuesday.

"Steady rainfall from lunchtime through the afternoon and into the evening," Sprinkle said. "We're talking eight to 10 hours of extensive rain, that's why the potential is there for flash flooding."

Flash Flood Threat - Wednesday
Since the ground is already saturated from the weekend storms, additional rainfall will likely lead to flooding. Watch for those typical trouble spots and low-lying areas and be prepared to make detours.

By the end of the week, upwards of 10" of rain are possible for the mountains and the foothills. 2-4" are possible for portions of the Piedmont and metro Charlotte. Most of the South Carolina Piedmont and the sandhills will see closer to 1-3", but possibly higher if storms repeatedly dump heavy rain over the same locations.

Flash flooding is very likely, along with mudslides and landslides on vulnerable slopes.

In preparedness for the potential flood event, a Flood Watch is in effect until 8 a.m. Wednesday for western North Carolina including the mountains and foothills. Areas in the mountains may sustain significant flooding during this period. Flood alerts may extend for other parts of the area as the system gets closer to the Carolinas.

THE LATEST: https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/tropics-fred-charlotte-north-carolina-south-carolina-panovich/275-f85613a1-7e95-4435-88d1-7b428af5d91f