Tropical Storm Nicole heads for the Piedmont and High Country

Tropical Storm Nicole is headed for North Carolina bringing heavy rain into the northwest Piedmont region as early as this evening and picking up intensity overnight. 

Warning Coordination Meteorologist Nick Petro says on Friday, he’ll be on the lookout for severe weather activity.  

“Systems that are rooted in the tropics on these outer bands tend to have the opportunity to produce very brief, quick-hitting, generally on the lower end of the spectrum of intensity tornados,” says Petro. “And that threat will be in place most likely during the morning hours, maybe even before sunrise, particularly during the mid to late morning hours.”

Petro says he expects the northern and back edge of Nicole to bring gusty winds and some heavy downpours to the Piedmont in the afternoon and evening hours Friday as well, with up to an inch and a half of rain possible. But he adds in the High Country it could be worse.

“Conditions will be windier, wetter and at greater risk for both wind damage and flash flooding in the high terrain and the complex terrain environment,” he says.

Rain accumulations in the Boone region may reach up to 4 inches, and 6 inches are possible at higher elevations. Petro expects the storm system to exit the Piedmont and High Country Friday evening by approximately 7 or 8 p.m., with skies clearing and temperatures beginning to cool. He says the risk period for any weather-related hazards should end by 9 p.m. tomorrow night.