It’s the time of year when we often need to rely on the Tropics to bring us nedded rainfall.

It’s been quiet since a very early tropical depression, but it’s too early to declare this hurricane season a quiet one.

Afternoon and early evening thunderstorms ripped through the Upstate and western North Carolina Thursday, with high winds, heavy rain and hail.

Storm Team 7 expects more showers and thunderstorms in the Carolinas Wednesday. Some of those storms could be severe before wet weather is replaced by the hottest temperatures of the year.

Severe thunderstorms pounded the Upstate and WNC, leaving thousands without power and with debris in yards

NOAA’s May outlook for the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season is out, and, as usual, be ready for just about anything.

Area charities and utility companies are doing their part to keep people safe as what Storm Team 7’s meteorologists are calling the coldest night of the winter approaches.

The recent rainfall in the Carolinas has boaters excited on Lake Hartwell.

Forecasters say some areas could see 3-5 inches of rain through Wednesday.

The weather watches have been cancelled in the Upstate and in Western North Carolina. A winter weather advisory has been issued for counties in Western North Carolina with snow expected in the higher elevations.

Some roads will be wet for the drive home, and winds will pick up as a cold front makes its way across the area. 

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the TN border counties, Macon and Northern Jackson counties until 6 AM Tuesday.  Snowfall accumulations will produce hazardous travel conditions through Tuesday morning because of snow covered, slick roadways. The Upstate will see only a slight chance of a stray rain or snow shower through midnight with mostly cloudy conditions on average through the night.

A freeze warning is in effect for the Upstate, the foothills and Piedmont of North Carolina, and into northeastern Georgia from midnight through 9 AM.

Mountain residents can expect one to three inches of snow, according to Storm Team 7 meteorologists. A winter weather advisory is still in effect for parts of Western North Carolina.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for North Carolina Counties bordering Tennessee. Spartanburg County is also under a freeze watch for Monday night/Tuesday morning.