RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — After two dry days, rain and storms are set to return Thursday night and Friday in central North Carolina.
A cold front is expected to arrive Friday, bringing with it the risk of scattered storms after 2 p.m. through about 7 p.m. One or two storms could become severe Friday afternoon.
The Storm Prediction Center has a Level 2 and Level 1 severe risk across central North Carolina for Thursday night, and a Level 1 risk for Friday.
THURSDAY
Most of the day will be dry. Scattered storms will begin developing around the evening commute and could pack a punch with heavy rain and gusty winds up to 60 mph, in addition to large hail. The best time for a strong to severe storm will be after 6 p.m. through about midnight. A higher threat of severe storms will be over western North Carolina, but west of Highway 1 in central North Carolina is now under a Slight Risk or Level 2.
FRIDAY
There's also a low level 1 severe risk on Friday across central North Carolina. The best chance will be between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., when a cold front is expected to move through.
No one day will be a washout. We'll have plenty of dry time on Friday after 11 a.m. through the early afternoon. Any strong to severe storm could produce damaging winds or hail. Keep an eye on the radar and sky. We'll let you know if the severe risk increases on Friday. It's certainly possible.
MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND
The rain will exit central North Carolina by sunset on Friday. The weekend will be dry, but you'll notice more clouds on Sunday. Rain chances will begin going back up Sunday night ahead of our soaking rain, which is expected on Monday and Tuesday. We could pick up between 2" and 4" of rainfall between now and next Thursday.