Severe weather impact lingers as cooler temperatures set to arrive

By WRAL Weather Team

Severe weather Monday

A tornado warning was issued Monday for Orange, Chatham and Alamance counties until 5:15 p.m. as severe weather swept its way across central North Carolina.

The Triangle experienced a level 2 risk for a portion of the afternoon and evening Monday. The level 2 threat was in effect for Raleigh, Fayetteville, much of the Sandhills region as well as east of Interstate 95.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued until 6 p.m. for many counties in the WRAL viewing area, including the Triangle. The warning was canceled for Orange and Durham counties at 5:45 p.m.

Hail has been reported throughout central NC as the scattered storms move through. WRAL viewers reported hail in parts of Orange, Chatham and Alamance counties, among others.

The severe threat moved out of the are around 8:30 p.m. but left patches of rain behind.

“If you need rain, areas from Raleigh and southward should see period of showers through midnight,” WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said.

Approximately 6,000 people north of Fayetteville were without power as of 11 p.m. Monday as a result of the storms.

Cooler weather ahead

The cold front that brought us the thunderstorms will also cool us down moving forward in the week.

“Once the front clears the area, we’ll be in a cooler air mass,” Maze said.

“This will be the last warm day for a while,” WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said of Monday. “After Tuesday, we stay in the 60s for our highs through Friday. There’s some cool air back behind that front that’s coming through this afternoon.”

We’ll be drier Tuesday for the Durham Bulls Opening Day coverage. No problems there! Isolated rain chances will be rather sporadic Wednesday to Friday and are dependent on the strength of an area of high pressure as that can keep a lot of that rain south.

“If you’re out there for the game, a jacket, a sweatshirt, a heavy sweater will certainly come in handy,” Maze said.