Charlotte, North Carolina – Sweltering heat and the threat of afternoon thunderstorms have Charlotte on alert as temperatures climb toward 94°F Wednesday, July 30th. Anyone driving I-77 or I-85 should prepare for rapid weather changes and possible slowdowns by mid-afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service, scattered showers and thunderstorms will become likely after 2 p.m., bringing heavy downpours, gusty winds, and a heat index that could reach 103°. Local officials urge residents to limit outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and never leave children or pets in parked vehicles. If thunder roars, head indoors—lightning and brief torrential rain could create dangerous conditions on city streets and highways.
Wednesday night brings lingering storms before midnight, then patchy fog, with temperatures dropping only to 75°. By Thursday, more storms may develop after 11 a.m. and could impact morning commutes across Mecklenburg County and nearby towns. Friday’s outlook calls for mostly sunny skies and a high near 91°, but additional storms are likely Friday night into early Saturday. That unsettled pattern could impact outdoor plans this weekend, including Saturday evening and overnight.
Utility crews and emergency management teams remain on standby, monitoring for downed trees, isolated outages, or flooding in low-lying areas. Residents should review weather alerts, charge devices, and keep alternate routes in mind if storms intensify during peak travel.
The latest advisories remain in effect through Friday, with more updates possible as storms roll through. Stay tuned for fresh alerts and remember—summer storms can develop fast, so keep an eye on the sky and local warnings.
Five-Day Charlotte, NC Weather Outlook:
- Wednesday, July 30: Scattered thunderstorms after 2 p.m., high near 94°, heat index up to 103°, evening patchy fog, low 75°.
- Thursday, July 31: Showers and storms likely after 11 a.m., partly sunny, high 93°, chance of rain continues into the evening, low 75°.
- Friday, August 1: Mostly sunny, high near 91°, storms develop Friday night, low 70°.
- Saturday, August 2: Morning clouds, chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m., high 79°, evening storms likely, low 66°.
- Sunday, August 3: Mostly sunny, high 80°, low 64°, slight storm risk lingers into the evening.
- Monday, August 4: Partly cloudy, high near 85°, quieter weather to start the workweek.
