Full Notification

A low pressure system stretching from the Midwest to the central coast of the Gulf of Mexico will transport deep moisture across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia through Friday. Continued rounds of heavy rain showers and thunderstorms will result from this influx of moisture. As the ground moistens and stream levels rise, the threat of flash flooding will develop with any heavy downpours moving repeatedly over the same location. The Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for

* portions of piedmont North Carolina and western North Carolina, including the following areas, in piedmont North Carolina, Alexander, Cabarrus, Catawba, Davie, Iredell, and Rowan. In western North Carolina, Avery, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Eastern McDowell, Greater Burke, Greater Caldwell, McDowell Mountains, Mitchell, and Yancey.

* through Friday evening

* Showers and thunderstorms producing periods of heavy rainfall will continue through at least Friday morning, and likely into Friday afternoon. Expect additional storm total rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches across the northern mountains and immediately adjacent foothills, with localized amounts up to 4 inches possible. While rainfall will be less over the northwest Piedmont, 1 to 2 inches of rain is likely with locally 3 inches possible. Of course, realize that just one hour of repeated thunderstorms over a location could quickly produce 2 to 3 inch rainfall totals. As soils saturate, flash flooding will become increasingly likely across the area.

* The heavy rainfall may produce flooding on area streams and creeks, and possibly on some main stem rivers by later in the week. Pay close attention to rainfall totals in the mountains this week since locations with steep slopes will see an increase in the potential for isolated landslides once rainfall exceeds five inches.

* AFFECTED AREAS: ALEXANDER ... MCDOWELL MOUNTAINS ... IREDELL ... CATAWBA ... ROWAN ... GREATER CALDWELL ... EASTERN MCDOWELL ... AVERY ... CABARRUS ... BURKE MOUNTAINS ... CALDWELL MOUNTAINS ... DAVIE ... MITCHELL ... GREATER BURKE ... YANCEY

Instructions:

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.