Risk for severe weather on Monday decreasing in central NC

Raleigh, N.C. — The threat for severe weather on Monday is decreasing, but another round of storms will make its way into the area on Tuesday.

Monday’s storms prompted a brief tornado warning in Moore County. A tornado warning means severe weather is imminent or occurring while a tornado watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather.

WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell said the thunderstorms moving into the area on Monday had a history of producing tornados including in Tupelo, Mississippi, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Central North Carolina will have a 30 percent chance for a shower or storm through 8 p.m. and then a 20 percent through midnight.

“We get into that daytime heating and that tends to destabilize the atmosphere even more,” WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

The threats from the system include damaging wind gusts, hail and isolated tornadoes. The greatest tornado risk is just near Charlotte, where a tornado watch was in effect until 7 p.m. The Sandhills region also has ingredients in place for some strong or rotating thunderstorms, Campbell said.​

After sunset, the risk for severe weather and thunderstorms will die down, Campbell said.

The region will be under a Level 1 risk on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the main threats being wind and hail. The timeline Tuesday is from about 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., although some rain could linger overnight. Storms are likely to be less widespread on Wednesday.

Highs on Monday will be in the low 80s. Tuesday will be hot and muggy, with highs near 90. Wednesday has a forecast high of 83.

Thursday will be drier, with a 20 percent chance for rain Thursday night through Friday morning.

The weekend looks dry, with most of the rain up in Virginia. Highs will be in the 70s Saturday and 80s Sunday for Mothers Day.