The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 11 p.m. for 11 counties, including Rowan, Davie and Iredell.
The watch also covers Alexander, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey counties in the mountains, including the cities of Hickory, Mocksville, Mooresville and Salisbury.
The forecast is for scattered thunderstorms through the evening across the northern mountains and the I-40 corridor.
Some of the storms are likely to become severe, with large hail and damaging wind.
Showers and storms could continue into the morning hours, with a low of 65 and predicted high Tuesday of 86.