Level 1 severe weather risk issued for Triangle later this week, big warmup coming

By WRAL Severe Weather Center

Raleigh, N.C. — With temperatures in the 20s, Tuesday will be another frigid morning, but temperatures will warm into the low to mid 50s by the afternoon.

Although it is days away, the National Weather Service has issued a Level 1 severe weather threat for much of central North Carolina on Thursday night.

At 5:30 a.m., it was 25 degrees in Raleigh, but the wind chill was making it feel more like the teens. Drivers will need a few extra minutes to warm up their cars and clear frost from their windshields.

The day will gradually get warmer, with a high of 53 degrees expected in Raleigh. Sunshine will accompany the warmer temperatures.

By Wednesday, things will feel very different. Highs will reach the low 60s, so it will feel like spring.

Thursday will be the warmest day of the week, with a high in the low 70s. According to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, the day will be dry with only a very small chance for a few sprinkles. Track rain with the DualDoppler5000.

Severe weather possible Thursday night

A cold front will likely deliver some rain late Thursday night and into Friday morning. WRAL meteorologist Peta Sheerwood said the rain would move in after midnight and clear before lunchtime on Friday.

Damaging wind gusts, isolated tornadoes and hail will be possible for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. The threat will not be as severe in North Carolina, but storms could be strong.

“This system will likely bring pockets of heavy rain and gusty winds. A few thunderstorms will be possible,” Sheerwood said.

Once the rain clears, temperatures will be cooler for Friday. Afternoon temperatures will range in the 50s and 40s, and the high of 65 degrees will happen after midnight.

The cold front passes on Friday, and we clear out for the weekend with highs in the upper 60s to low 60s.

Temperatures are expected to be above-normal for much of February.