Warm Wednesday on tap ahead of possible showers, Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday
It's another day with above normal temperatures even though skies are mostly cloudy.
Expect clouds and showers Wednesday. Rain chances are only 40%, but we'll have the greatest chance for showers around lunchtime.
Highs on Wednesday will climb into the low 80s with a few showers possible midday and another slight chance for rain in the evening as a weakening front approaches from the west.
"Later on this evening, we'll have the potential for a few scattered showers, but they'll be light and patchy," said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.
- Wednesday: Some clouds return. High of 82.
- Thursday: Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. Highs in the upper 80s.
- Friday: A mix of clouds and sun in the morning giving way to a few showers during the afternoon. High of 82.
Triangle under Level 1 risk for severe storms Friday
The Storm Predication Center put the entire viewing area under a Level 1 risk for Friday.
A front will approach our area during Friday afternoon. Storms will start early- to mid-afternoon and continue through the evening.
So far, there's a 40% chance. Damaging winds will be the biggest threat. Hail and heavy rain will also be possible.
Rain, above-average temps on tap this week
We will see some spotty rain chances through the weekend. Overall, it will be a dry and hot week.
We'll see above-average temperatures in the 80s for most of the week. Our normal high for this time of year is 72 degrees.
Rain chances will return for the weekend.
Friday brings the chance for severe storms, with our entire viewing area under a Level 1 risk for severe storms.
Rain chances are low on Saturday, but they increase Sunday.
Saturday showers may hold off until Sunday, when we'll see scattered showers late in the day.
On Sunday, we begin a cooler-than-normal pattern that will last into early next week, but it will be brief. Sunday has a high of only 70 degrees.
It's allergy season! 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
- Wednesday: Some clouds return. Highs in the low 80s.
- Thursday: Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. High of 87.
- Friday: A mix of clouds and sun in the morning giving way to a few showers during the afternoon. High of 82.
- Saturday: Partly cloudy skies. Highs in the low 80s.
- Sunday: Cool down. Scattered showers with cloudy skies. High of 68.
- Monday: Mild start to the work week. Highs in the mid 60s.
- Tuesday: It's a milder day with partly cloudy skies. High of 70.
Prepare for a busy 2024 Atlantic hurricane season forecast
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will see 15 to 20 named storms in the Atlantic basin, according to researchers at North Carolina State University.
The number of named storms is significantly higher than the long-term average, and moderately higher than recent 30-year averages, according to Lian Xie, professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences at NC State.
In 2024, NC State researchers predict:
- 15 to named storms
- 10 to 12 may grow strong enough to become hurricanes (the historical average is six)
- Three to four becoming major hurricanes
Meanwhile, forecasters at Colorado State University are calling for 24 named storms in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. That is higher than the average year, when 14 storms earn a name.
CSU forecasters say 11 storms will reach hurricane strength, up from the average of seven, and five of those hurricanes could be "major," that is Category 3, 4 or 5, with winds over 111 mph.
