Storms, gusty winds possible on Friday evening; rain for Memorial Day weekend
Friday is starting off with some scattered showers and storms, especially south of the Triangle.
WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said the rain falling Friday morning could move away around noon before a slight storm risk for southern counties on Friday evening.
The southern half of the state is under a Level 1 risk for severe weather Friday afternoon and evening. The biggest risks will be some gusty winds and small hail later in the day, according to WRAL meteorologist Anthony Baglione.
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According to Baglione, scattered storms could develop in the afternoon starting around 3 p.m. but should clear up after sunset.
- Friday: Late-day storms, Level 1 risk for southern counties. Highs in the upper 80s.
- Saturday: Mixed clouds and sun with afternoon/evening scattered thunderstorms. High 87.
- Sunday: Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90.
Rain, storms for Memorial Day weekend
This Memorial Day weekend in North Carolina will be hot and humid with a chance for scattered afternoon storms on Saturday and more rain on Monday.
Saturday will be mostly sunny in the morning, with afternoon thunderstorms developing between 2 p.m and 8 p.m.
A Level 1 risk for severe weather on Saturday has been dropped, but isolated showers and storms will still be likely on Saturday afternoon. Saturday won't be a washout, with rain most likely late in the day. Sunday will be mainly dry, and with a 20% chance for precipitation, it's the best day to avoid the rain.
"We'll see scattered chances through the weekend with Sunday virtually rain-free," Baglione said.
Memorial Day weekend will also be hot, with highs in the upper 80s on Saturday and the low 90s on Sunday.
The heat index will make it feel even hotter, potentially reaching the mid-90s by Sunday and Monday.
Baglione said there is an increased chance for rain on Memorial Day and into Monday night.
Heading to the coast?
The good news is the rip current risk is low for the entire weekend. The Outer Banks will see highs in the upper 70s, while the southern beaches will reach the mid-80s.
Keep an eye out for the beach flags though: yellow fo moderate rip current risk and red for high risk.
Looking ahead to next week, things start to change on Tuesday.
Next week, the humidity will ease up, and Wednesday and Thursday look fantastic with plenty of sunshine and dry weather.
Highs will be in the low 80s on Wednesday and a refreshing 76 on Thursday, with lows dipping back down into the 50s.
Lightning safety: Hear thunder, see Anvils, check winds - stay ahead of the storm
Here's how to stay safe:
Hear thunder? Head inside! If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. Seek shelter in a sturdy building or enclosed vehicle immediately.
Spot anvil clouds? Check the forecast. Anvil clouds, those flat-topped giants in the distance, often signal a strong storm approaching. It's a good idea to check the weather app for updates.
Watch for wind shifts. A sudden change in wind direction can indicate a storm's outflow. Check your weather app's radar to see the storm's movement.
7-day forecast for central NC
- Friday: Late-day storms possible. High near 90 degrees.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and storms. Highs in the mid 80s.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and storms. Highs in near 90.
- Monday (Memorial Day): Hit and miss storms but mostly just hot. High of 90 degrees.
- Tuesday: Clear and cooler. High of 86.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny skies. High near 80.
- Thursday: Rain showers in the morning with scattered thunderstorms arriving in the afternoon. High 84.
Prepare for a busy 2024 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will see 17 to 25 named storms in the Atlantic basin, according to the NOAA forecast. The agency has never predicted a higher number of storms for a season.
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 N.C. State.
In 2024, NOAA researchers predict:
- 17 to 25 named storms
- 8 to 13 hurricanes
- 4 to 7 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher)
The NOAA forecast is in line with earlier forecasts issued by North Carolina State and Colorado State universities.
A combination of a La Niña pattern and record warm waters in the Atlantic Ocean set up the conditions for storms to form, organize and strengthen.
