Possible tornadoes and flash flooding are in the forecast for Gaston and surrounding counties.
The National Weather Service said at 1:20 p.m. Monday that storms expected to move through the region will mean conditions conducive for tornadoes.
The tornado watch includes 48 North Carolina counties.
A flash flood watch also remains in effect throughout the afternoon.
The weather service says widespread rain and a few thunderstorms are moving across the state’s piedmont.
A warning says the potential exists for damaging wind and large hail as a line of storms passes through.
With the ground saturated from days of rain, creeks and streams could rapidly rise.