CHARLOTTE, N.C. — WCNC Charlotte is tracking severe weather in the Charlotte area and across the Carolinas.
First Warn Storm Team coverage:
Sunday updates
Tornados confirmed, damage reported in South Carolina
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF2 tornado occurred Saturday night near Taylors in Greenville County, SC. NWS said 115 mph winds lifted the roof off a motel.
While storms later moved through York County, it's not confirmed that this was the same storm.
Sunday morning weather update
After severe weather Saturday night, Sunday welcomes a delightful sunny pattern. Mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies expected today but it will be a breezy day with wind gusts up to 25 mph.
Wind Advisory will start this afternoon until 10 a.m. Monday morning for the Mountains. Winds gusts possible up to 50+ mph.
Saturday night severe weather blog timeline
11:35 p.m.
Preliminary storm reports from the National Weather Service include quarter-size hail (E1.00 INCH) was reported at 09:37 p.m. on Mountain View Circle and Union Grove Road.
Additionally, the National Weather Service says quarter-sized hail (E1.00 INCH) was reported at 09:15 p.m. in the Oak Hill community of Burke County.
The National Weather Service also relayed reports from Gastonia of half-dollar size (E1.25 INCH) hail at 09:18 p.m. on North Liberty Street and West Main Avenue.
The remainder of storms are moving off to the east.
11:00 p.m.
At this particular moment, a single Tornado Warning exists over a small portion of Cabarrus County. However, forecaster Larry Sprinkle and meteorologist Iisha Scott are advising everyone to treat the numerous remaining Severe Thunderstorm Warnings like-tornado warnings because of their threat for damaging winds.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings remain for numerous areas including Mecklenburg, York, Lancaster, Cabarrus, Union, and Rowan counties.
10:45 p.m.
In addition to the tornado and damaging wind threat, storms are producing hail, including this hail in Rock Hill:
10:30 p.m.
Tornado Warning issued for York County, including the cities of York, Rock Hill, and Fort Mill. The warning also includes portions of southern Mecklenburg County near Carowinds.
10:20 p.m.
Tornado Warning extended into portions of eastern and southern Mecklenburg County including Matthews, Mint Hill, and south Charlotte.
10:30 p.m.
Tornado Warning issued for York County, including the cities of York, Rock Hill, and Fort Mill. The warning also includes portions of southern Mecklenburg County near Carowinds.
10:08 p.m.
A second Tornado Warning has been issued for Charlotte and Mecklenburg County as a new storms moves northeast into the Queen City. At 10:05 p.m., the storm was located over southeastern Gaston County and northern York County, where a Tornado Warning has also been issued.
10:00 p.m.
Tornado Warning issued for Mecklenburg County, including uptown Charlotte and University City area, and western parts of Cabarrus County.
9:45 p.m.
A second storm has prompted a brand new Tornado Warning for York County in South Carolina, and Cleveland and Gaston counties in North Carolina.
Cities inside the warning again include Grover,
9:40 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
The storm, the same as the one that had prompted tornado warnings over portions of Cleveland, Gaston, and York Counties, is moving along I-85 into Mecklenburg County.
The storm contains the possibility for 60 mph damaging wind and hail the size of a quarter coin.
The First Warn Storm Team is continuing to track the storm for the possibility that conditions could again warrant a Tornado Warning.
Our team of meteorologists are also continuing to track other severe storms moving along I-85 out of upstate South Carolina. Additional storms are possible in Charlotte, the Piedmont, and across the region through the evening hours.
9:30 p.m.
We are awaiting a decision from the National Weather Service if the Tornado Warning for Gaston County, North Carolina, and northern York County, South Carolina, will be extended eastward. If the warning was to be extended, it could effect portions of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Residents should be weather aware and watch for possible severe weather developments.
9:20 p.m.
Hail is falling with these storms. Video from Grover, North Carolina in Cleveland County showed the hail falling.
9:10 p.m.
The Tornado Warning has been extended into Gaston County, North Carolina, and northern portions of York County, South Carolina until 9:45 p.m.
Cities inside the Tornado Warning include, but are not limited to, Clover, Lake Wylie, Gastonia, and Belmont.
The Tornado Warning for Cleveland County, North Carolina has expired.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning, for the possibility of hail and damaging wind, has been issued for portions of Caldwell and Burke counties in North Carolina.
8:45 p.m.
The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning that included portions of Cleveland County, North Carolina, and York County, South Carolina. The initial warning was scheduled to continue through 9:15 p.m.
While there was no confirmed tornado on the ground, radar-detected rotation near I-85 was moving east at 35 mph.
Areas inside the warning included, but are not limited to, Kings Mountain and Crowder's Mountain.
Anyone inside the Tornado Warning should seek shelter on the lowest level of a sturdy shelter with as many walls between you and the outside.
What we're watching:
Charlotte, much of western North Carolina, and upstate South Carolina, have a medium chance of seeing severe weather.
There is a chance for strong-to-severe thunderstorms capable of damaging wind, hail, and possible, isolated tornadoes.
Clouds for much of the day kept the atmosphere stable through the first half of Saturday. As those clouds gave way to late day sun, and as a warm front moved north towards Interstate 85, the chance for severe weather began to increase.
During the early evening hours Saturday, there were numerous severe thunderstorms that prompted Tornado Warnings in upstate South Carolina. Those storms moved northeast along I-85 before moving into the Charlotte area.
