Charlotte is waking up Saturday, May 23 to patchy fog and persistent heavy rain, with a high near 76°F and a 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the day — this is not a morning to leave the umbrella by the door. The National Weather Service is calling for 1 to 2 inches of rainfall today alone, making this a thoroughly soggy opening to Memorial Day weekend in the Queen City. Stay current with the Charlotte weather forecast.
Today’s Setup
A weak shortwave is pushing widespread rain and thunderstorms across the metro through the afternoon. Patchy fog is reducing visibility on area roads this morning — use extra caution on I-77 and I-485 during any early travel. The National Weather Service expects rainfall to intensify from mid-morning onward as storm activity ramps up. Southeast wind stays light at around 5 mph, but rainfall rates could be heavy in spots. Tonight, showers and thunderstorms continue through roughly midnight before tapering slightly. The overnight low settles near 63°F with another three-quarters to one inch of rain possible.
Rain and Flood Risk
With 1 to 2 inches falling today and additional rain overnight, watch for ponding and runoff on low-lying roads near Little Sugar Creek Greenway and throughout Uptown Charlotte. Never drive through flooded roadways — turn around, don’t drown.
Events: What To Know Before You Go
Charlotte FC vs. New England Revolution kicks off today at Bank of America Stadium — an outdoor venue sitting right in the storm path. Fans should bring a rain poncho and check the club’s weather and refund policies. If you still need seats, Get tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub.
The Carolina Hurricanes host the Montreal Canadiens tonight at Lenovo Center for NHL Third Round Home Game 2 — that one’s indoors and the perfect dry-weather escape. Show up loud in a Carolina Hurricanes jersey or stay warm in the cold arena with a Carolina Hurricanes beanie.
NASCAR fans heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the NC Education Lottery 200 and Charbroil 300 should monitor delay announcements closely — both events are weather-sensitive with near-90% rain chances.
Willie Nelson & Family performs tonight at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre, which is an outdoor venue. Watch weather updates carefully before heading out. And Marisela plays Ovens Auditorium tonight — a covered indoor show that’s a smart call in this weather. A Marisela t-shirt makes a great keepsake from the night.
Best Rainy Day Inside Move
If you’re staying in and need something to do, a coloring book for adults is a surprisingly relaxing way to ride out a stormy afternoon. Check out outdoor gear deals to prep for the next dry stretch.
Dinner Idea
Even in the rain, a covered porch grill session hits the spot — burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob are hard to beat on a stormy Saturday evening. Keep an instant-read meat thermometer handy for perfect doneness, and a grill brush and scraper set makes cleanup easy before the rain rolls back through. Need to stock up? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Sunday stays unsettled with showers and thunderstorms likely and a high near 81°F — Gulf moisture keeps the pattern wet through much of next week according to the National Weather Service. The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24 will be closely weather-dependent, so check race-day updates before making the drive to Concord.
