WRAL Weather Alert Day: Monday brings heavy rain, threat of severe storms ⛈️

Monday is a WRAL Weather Alert Day due to heavy rain, possible flooding and strong winds.

It's going to be a messy Monday, with much of the state under a level 1 risk for severe weather.

"High resolution models keep the greatest threat for any tornadoes and organized storms in South Carolina," said WRAL Meteorologist Mike Maze. "So it is quite possible, at this time, that we may not see any severe weather materialize."

We're currently seeing rain in our southern counties, and it will be making its way north to the Triangle as the morning progresses.

Damaging winds and localized flooding will be possible Monday, especially in the late afternoon into the evening and potentially overnight.

"The main impact on Monday from the weather will be the heavy, soaking rain we are likely to see starting in the morning and becoming more widespread and heavy later in the afternoon and evening," Maze said. "Localized flooding looks possible with some rainfall totals reaching 1 to 3 inches."

This potential impact zone covers central North Carolina, excluding northern counties and southern Virginia.

• Monday WRAL Weather Alert Day: Cloudy skies with rain and storms likely throughout the day. Highs will be a little cooler in the lower-mid 60s.
• Tuesday: Mostly dry with temperatures reaching in the low 60s.
• Wednesday: Sweet and cool weather to celebrate your sweetheart. Highs in the mid 50s.

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Looking ahead

After the warm — and wet — weekend, we'll return to the 50s by Tuesday afternoon and Valentine's Day. The weather looks great for Wednesday, with a lot of sunshine, but it will be chilly into the evening.

Valentine's Day will be sunny and pleasant weather with a high of 58.

The next chance for showers comes on Saturday, but rain chances are small.

Helpful links: DualDoppler5000 | Live web cameras

Fun weather facts

• It's almost the 10 year anniversary of the snow storm called the Snowpocalypse that took place Feb.12-13, 2014. The snow storm became a meme fest for the Triangle.
• April 8 will be the next solar eclipse. We won't see it in NC, but lots of people will travel to take it in! Ohio will be the closest spot to drive to from Raleigh.

7-day forecast for central NC

• Monday: Cloudy skies with rain likely throughout the day. Highs will be a little cooler in the lower-mid 60s
• Tuesday: Partly to mostly sunny skies, windy and cooler with a lot less humid air. Highs in the mid-upper 50s.
• Wednesday: Sweet and cool weather to celebrate your sweetheart. Highs in the mid 50s-
• Thursday: Partly cloudy skies and still nice and mild. Highs in the mid 50s-lower 60s.
• Friday: Partly cloudy and cooler. Highs in the mid 50s.
• Saturday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers. High is 51.
• Sunday: Partly cloudy with a high of 55.