The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Rowan County until 1 a.m. Monday morning.
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to form and move into western North Carolina, according to an alert sent out by Frank Thomason, chief of Rowan County Emergency Services.
The greatest risk for severe weather will exist in the mountains to the north of I-40; however, severe weather is also possible across the foothills and northwest Piedmont, including Rowan County.
While damaging winds are expected to be the primary threat, large hail and perhaps an isolated tornado will be possible, especially with any isolated cells that develop ahead of the line of storms.