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Level 2 risk: Isolated tornadoes, wind damage, flooding possible during Wednesday storms
Raleigh, N.C. — A line of strong storms, which has dropped tornadoes across Texas and the Deep South over the past two days, will impact North Carolina on Wednesday.
The state is under a Level 2 risk for severe weather beginning Wednesday afternoon.
While the same system will move through the area, the severe weather threat will not be as high or widespread because our atmosphere is less energized and the strongest forcing will be displaced north of N.C.
According to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, storms will be possible beginning late afternoon and into the evening, up until midnight, with severe weather most likely between 8 p.m. and midnight.
The biggest threats include straight line winds, isolated tornadoes and some flooding, Gardner said. Up to 1 inch of rain is possible.
The tornadoes that have impacted the Deep South won’t be as large of a threat.
“It’s not a zero threat, but we’re not looking at a widespread tornado outbreak here,” Gardner said.
A shower or two will be possible around noon on Wednesday, but the first half of the day should be dry. Highs will reach the mid 70s Wednesday.
The storms should move away Thursday morning, but a Level 1 low risk goes into effect for eastern North Carolina, where wind damage is possible. There could be some lingering rain throughout the afternoon, but the storm risk is largely contained to Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Temperatures will be cooler, in the 60s, for Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, highs will be in the upper 50s. The weekend should be clear, and we could be close to freezing Monday morning, when lows drop into the lower 30s.
Eager to get the garden going?
Wondering if it’s okay to start planting? Temperatures will stay spring-like for a while, but cooler temperatures are ahead. We’re expecting cooler than average temperatures next week, according to meteorologists.
Our average last freeze comes in mid-April.