Near-record warmth on Tuesday; Level 1, 2 risk on Wednesday, a WRAL Weather Alert Day
Wednesday is a WRAL Weather Alert Day, with a Level 2 risk for storms and isolated tornadoes east of the Triangle.
It's going to be another warm and windy day on Tuesday. Despite the cloud cover, Tuesday will stay dry.
We may see a quick sprinkle, if anything, according to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.
Highs on Tuesday will reach the low-to-mid 80s, and it will be s cloudy with limited sunshine. While Tuesday will be unseasonably warm, the high is unlikely to break a record, largely due to the cloud cover.
Tuesday evening is the season opener for the Durham Bulls, but the rain will likely arrive much later than the game, which starts at 6:35 p.m.
Live cams in NC | Weather alerts | Track rain with the DualDoppler5000
- Tuesday: High of 86 and dry for the Durham Bulls' season opener. Rain possible overnight.
- Wednesday: Cooler with a high of 74. Rain, strong wind gusts and storms possible.
- Thursday: Mainly sunny with highs in the low 60s
Level 1, 2 risk: Wednesday is a WRAL Weather Alert Day
According to Gardner, rain will move into our area overnight, between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., and we'll have to deal with scattered showers and isolated storms during the Wednesday morning commute.
A cold front moves in closer to lunchtime on Wednesday, delivering our risk for storms. In the Triangle, the strongest storms will be likely between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., Gardner said.
"Severe storms are more likely as the front moves through from noon through mid-afternoon," Gardner said. "This cold front has a history of producing severe storms along its path."
There is a Level 1 risk for severe weather in the Triangle and a Level 2 risk east of the Triangle and at the coast. Our eastern counties have a chance of isolated tornadoes, according to Gardner. We could see some strong wind gusts and heavy downpours, but rain totals won't be excessive.
Wednesday will be warm again but not as hot as Monday and Tuesday. After basking in the 80s for the next couple of days, Wednesday will see a high of 70.
"Wednesday is our transition day" before a bigger cool down, according to Gardner.
Warm streak won't last all week
Thursday will be significantly cooler, with a high of just 60 degrees. Bundle up – Thursday night will dip down to a chilly 39 degrees.
Thankfully, the cold snap won't last. Friday morning will start cold, but highs will reenter the upper 50s and low 60s for the afternoon.
The weekend looks pleasant with highs remaining in the 60s for both Friday and Saturday, which should make for a comfortable time at the Dreamville Music Festival.
It may be cool at Dreamville, but festival-goers shouldn't have to worry about rain.
With all this warm weather, the flowers and trees are blooming – meaning pollen counts are high. If you're sneezing, that could be why!
7-day forecast for central NC
- Tuesday: Cloudy but dry. Highs in the mid 80s. Rain arrives overnight.
- Wednesday: WRAL Weather Alert Day: Rrain and thunderstorms. High of 74.
- Thursday: Cloudy but dry with highs in the low 60s.
- Friday: Cloudy but dry. High close to 60.
- Saturday: Partly cloudy with highs close to 60.
- Sunday: A mainly sunny sky. High 66.
- Monday: Mostly sunny and still cool. Highs in the mid-upper 60s.
- Tuesday: High of 65, chance for rain.
April 8: Eyes on the skies for a 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.
In Raleigh we'll only see a partial eclipse starting just before 2 p.m. We'll see the maximum effect at approximately 3:15 p.m.
