Marginal Risk Today: What Rowan County Needs to Watch This Evening

Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 9:13am

Rowan County will see a warm and mostly quiet start to the day, but there is a low-end storm risk later this afternoon and evening that’s worth keeping an eye on.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed our area in a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) — meaning most locations will stay dry, but a few isolated storms could become briefly strong.


What to Expect

  • Timing: Late afternoon through early evening (roughly 4 PM – 10 PM)

  • Coverage: Very isolated — not everyone will see rain

  • Main Threat: Hail up to around quarter size

  • Secondary Threat: Gusty winds in stronger cells

This is not a widespread severe weather setup, but any storm that develops could quickly become strong for a short time.


Why Hail Is the Main Concern

Even though moisture is still somewhat limited, the atmosphere will have enough instability and strong winds aloft to support hail development.

Storms today are expected to be high-based, which means:

  • Less heavy rain overall

  • Better potential for hail reaching the ground

  • Some risk of brief, gusty winds


Who Has the Best Chance to See Storms?

Storms are expected to develop to our west and southwest first, then track toward the Piedmont.

For Rowan County:

  • Not everyone will see a storm

  • Coverage will be hit-or-miss

  • Any activity should weaken later this evening


What Happens After Today?

Once today’s system moves out:

  • Sunday: Sunny and much warmer, with highs pushing the upper 80s

  • Monday: A cold front moves through with a few showers possible

  • Tuesday: Cooler air returns with highs back near the low 60s


Bottom Line

This is a low-end, isolated storm setup, but one that’s worth monitoring if you have outdoor plans this evening.

Most of Rowan County will stay dry — but if a storm develops near you, hail and brief gusty winds are possible.

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