WRAL Weather Alert Day: Flood watch expands to Triangle, waves of rain pass next 24 hours
A flood watch is in effect for the next two days, so get ready for a WRAL Weather Alert Day through Wednesday and into Thursday.
A cold front has triggered heavy rain showers and scattered thunderstorms.
"The heaviest rain comes tonight and should last into the morning commute tomorrow," said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has expanded a flood watch to include the Triangle and much of central North Carolina, including Wake, Chatham, Cumberland, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Nash, Orange, Person, Richmond, Sampson, Scotland, Vance, Warren Wayne and Wilson counties. The flood watch will be in effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday until 8 p.m. Thursday. The NWS said these areas could see up to four inches of rain.
Live cams in NC | Weather alerts | Track rain with the DualDoppler5000
- Wednesday: Waves of rain all day. Highs in the low 60s.
- Thursday: Cloudy with showers and windy conditions. Highs in the upper 50s.
- Friday: Mainly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.
'Significant rain' arrives
According to WRAL meteorologist Anthony Baglione, the rain coverage will be greatest Wednesday evening and overnight. Highs on Wednesday will be in the upper 50s to near 60 degrees around the Triangle.
On Thursday, the rain is likely to be heavy in the morning, and eastern counties could see the most rain.
Drivers on the roads should be cautious about driving in heavy rain and elevated water levels.
Campbell said the heavier rainfall totals between two inches and four inches will most likely impact counties east of the Triangle, closer to Interstate 95 and the coastal plain.
The rain will be on its way out on Thursday afternoon.
"It looks like the rain will start to move out of the area by tomorrow afternoon with, potentially, a drier Thursday evening," Baglione said.
Thursday will also be a windy day, with winds gusting up to 30 mph.
Thursday's rain should taper off by the afternoon. Highs will only be in the upper 50s due to the rain and persistent cloud cover.
Skies will be partly cloudy with highs in the mid 60s on Friday.
Easter weekend looks gorgeous
The Easter weekend is looking glorious with sunshine and mild weather. Both days are expected to stay dry for egg hunts and other outdoor festivities.
Saturday will be warm, and Sunday will be warmer.
"The Easter holiday weekend forecast looks great with a mix of sun and clouds and highs in the 70s Saturday and low 80s on Sunday," Baglione said.
7-day forecast for central NC
- Wednesday: 70% chance of scattered showers. Highs in the low 60s.
- Thursday: Cloudy with showers. High of 57.
- Friday: Mainly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.
- Saturday: Mainly sunny. High of 75.
- Sunday: Happy Easter! Partly cloudy skies. High of 80.
- Monday: Mostly cloudy skies and a little cooler with a chance for some showers. Highs in the upper 70s.
- Tuesday: Mostly Cloudy. 20% chance of precipitation. High of 75.
Eyes on the sky for 2024 total solar eclipse
We're getting closer to the next total solar eclipse for North America, which is happening on April 8.
We won't see a total eclipse in North Carolina, but lots of people will travel to take it in! Ohio will be the closest spot to drive to from Raleigh for the path of totality.
