ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning Thursday afternoon for portions of western North Carolina, including McDowell and Buncombe counties.
The warning, issued at 2:25 p.m., is in effect until 3:15 p.m.
At 2:24 p.m., radar indicated severe thunderstorms forming along a line stretching from about 10 miles southwest of Burnsville to 3 miles southwest of Marion, moving slowly to the southwest at around 5 mph.
Forecasters warned of potential hazards, including wind gusts up to 60 mph and quarter-size hail. Minor hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to trees and power lines are expected.
Communities in the storm’s path include Marion, Black Mountain, Old Fort, Montreat, Barnardsville and areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway from East Asheville to Little Switzerland.
Residents are urged to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Continuous cloud-to-ground lightning has also been reported with these storms. The NWS reminds the public that if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
Earlier in the day, the National Weather Service upgraded the severe weather risk to a Level 2 “Slight Risk” across much of Western North Carolina, warning that strong to severe thunderstorms are developing in the region.
As of 1:48 p.m., Doppler radar was tracking a strong storm about 10 miles southeast of downtown Asheville near Fairview in Buncombe County. The storm was moving southwest at about 10 mph.
Forecasters said the storm could produce wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail. The storm may impact areas including Hendersonville, Arden, Fletcher, Mills River, Fairview, Mountain Home, Laurel Park, Biltmore Forest, Bat Cave and Asheville Regional Airport.
The weather service advised residents to secure loose outdoor items and seek shelter indoors. Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning was also reported, with the potential to strike as far as 10 miles from the storm.
Officials urged residents to stay weather aware as storms continue to develop into the evening hours.