Charlotte weather today is shaping up to be pleasant this afternoon—partly sunny skies and a high near 71°F with light south-southeast winds around 5 mph. It’s one of those May days that feels like spring is finally settling in, so if you’ve got outdoor plans for the next few hours, now’s the time to move on them.
However, don’t get too comfortable. Rain showers are likely to develop after 11 PM tonight, and the National Weather Service forecasters are confident about this pattern shift. A weak southern-stream shortwave is riding along the Gulf Coast and will activate a warm front, bringing moist air northward over our region. Expect cloudy conditions developing this evening, with temperatures rising to around 56°F overnight despite the rain. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter inch are possible—nothing severe, but definitely bring an umbrella if you’re heading out to catch Ali Siddiq’s comedy show at DPAC or any of tonight’s events around the Queen City.
Saturday is where things get soggy. Rain showers will be likely throughout the day with an 80% chance of precipitation. Highs will struggle to reach 59°F—well below normal for early May—and north-northeast winds gusting as high as 18 mph will make it feel even cooler. The National Weather Service expects between a half and three quarters of an inch of new rainfall, so Saturday is definitely an indoor day. If you had plans to visit Lake Norman or spend time at one of Charlotte’s parks, reschedule for Sunday or later in the week.
The good news? Sunday clears up and the rest of the week looks dry and warmer. Saturday night will see a chance of showers before 10 PM, then partly cloudy skies take over. By Sunday, we’ll be on the mend with improving conditions through at least Tuesday.
For sports fans, the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers playoff game on Sunday, May 3rd at Lenovo Center will have much better weather than Saturday. Grab your Carolina Hurricanes jersey or Carolina Hurricanes beanie to show your support, and check Get tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub for availability. Tailgating conditions Sunday will be far superior to this weekend’s wet pattern.
If you’re planning to grill today while the weather holds, fire up the propane gas grill for burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob. An instant-read meat thermometer and grill brush and scraper set will help you nail perfect results. For tonight’s dinner before the rain arrives, you can order groceries on Amazon and stock up on everything you need. Consider grabbing ingredients for a hearty indoor meal tomorrow—the cooler, rainy Saturday is perfect for comfort food.
Bottom line: enjoy this afternoon’s pleasant weather, prepare for a soggy Saturday, and look forward to a much nicer stretch starting Sunday. It’s a typical spring pattern for Charlotte, and by midweek we’ll be back to pleasant conditions.
