CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Showers and storms could become severe in the Carolinas on Sunday and Monday, and could bring hazards to the region.
Potentially severe storms were in the forecast for Monday, March 16 across the Carolinas. The Charlotte region was expected to see the most impacts during the late morning on Monday and throughout the afternoon.
The thunderstorms could bring downpours, lightning, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes to the region. Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and power lines, potentially leading to power outages.
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Officials were urging Carolinians to prepare for potentially severe weather.
During the severe weather, the National Weather Service could issue a tornado watch or tornado warning for an area, should tornadoes become a concern. Here’s how the two alerts are different.
Tornado watch: Be prepared
A tornado watch is issued when a tornado is possible, but not exactly imminent.
A watch happens when the weather conditions are right for a tornado to form.
When a tornado watch is issued, people are urged to prepare for the possibility of a tornado. That means you should stay indoors, make sure your devices are charged, and have an emergency plan in place.
Tornado warning: Take immediate action
A tornado warning is issued when a tornado is imminent — meaning it has been spotted either on the ground or on radar.
A tornado warning should be treated as an emergency. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, you should act immediately and move to the safest area indoors.
Areas in the center of a building, or in the basement, are safer during a tornado. Avoid windows wherever possible, and be sure to get down low and protect your head.
Click here to see our latest First Alert Weather forecast.
Forecast: Storms could become severe Monday
Showers and storms were in the forecast Sunday, March 15 into Monday, March 16. Showers were happening throughout the region on Sunday evening.
By around 8 a.m. Monday, waves of showers and storms will arrive in western-central North Carolina, and will move eastward. Showers and storms were expected to last through early-to-mid-afternoon for the Charlotte region, including parts of South Carolina.
Those storms could produce dangerous winds with gusts around 60 mph. Isolated tornadoes will be possible due to the storms.
If a tornado warning is issued in your area, take action immediately and find appropriate shelter. If a tornado watch is issued, that means a tornado is possible and that you should prepare.
Powerful winds could down tree limbs and power lines, potentially causing power outages during the storms.
Click here to see active weather alerts for the Charlotte region.
Following Monday’s storms, temperatures will drop and some parts of the mountains will briefly see snow. Springlike weather will return later this week.
Download the free WBTV Weather app on your mobile device to receive weather alerts and to get the latest forecast on the go. You can also catch the latest forecast on WBTV’s streaming app — find it in the app store on your smart TV or streaming device.
—> Related: Charlotte region school closings: Tracking closures for March 16, 2026
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