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 the week. Several 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 increase with any heavy downpours moving repeatedly over the same location. The Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for

* the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia

* through Friday morning

* Periods of heavy rainfall have already started across the region. After a slight overnight lull, periods of heavy rain showers and thunderstorms will return in earnest today and last through at least Friday morning. Expect widespread storm total rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches across the mountains and immediately adjacent foothills, with localized amounts up to 6 inches possible. While rainfall will be less over the lower piedmont closer to the Charlotte Metro area, 2 to 3 inches of rain is likely with locally 4 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: ANDERSON ... ALEXANDER ... RUTHERFORD MOUNTAINS ... RABUN ... FRANKLIN ... GRAHAM ... MECKLENBURG ... CHEROKEE ... GREATER PICKENS ... UNION ... SWAIN ... GREATER BURKE ... HABERSHAM ... YANCEY ... ELBERT ... HENDERSON ... IREDELL ... CLEVELAND ... ABBEVILLE ... GREATER GREENVILLE ... ROWAN ... EASTERN MCDOWELL ... GASTON ... BURKE MOUNTAINS ... STEPHENS ... MADISON ... CHESTER ... PICKENS MOUNTAINS ... SPARTANBURG ... MITCHELL ... MACON ... BUNCOMBE ... GREENWOOD ... MCDOWELL MOUNTAINS ... HAYWOOD ... LINCOLN ... YORK ... HART ... CATAWBA ... GREATER CALDWELL ... LAURENS ... TRANSYLVANIA ... AVERY ... NORTHERN JACKSON ... EASTERN POLK ... POLK MOUNTAINS ... GREENVILLE MOUNTAINS ... SOUTHERN JACKSON ... OCONEE MOUNTAINS ... CABARRUS ... GREATER OCONEE ... DAVIE ... CALDWELL MOUNTAINS ... UNION ... GREATER RUTHERFORD

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.