Tropical Storm Nicole's track shifts west, Level 2 risk for NC in place Friday

The latest track for Tropical Storm Nicole sends the storm right across North Carolina later this week.

Nicole’s track shifted west on Wednesday, and much of N.C. will be under a Level 2 risk for severe weather Friday, when heavy rain is expected in our area.

Nicole was strengthening and approaching Florida’s coastline on Wednesday, and WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said the storm could be hurricane strength before it makes landfall there late Wednesday night.

The storm will move north, and Gardner said N.C. is “solidly in the forecast line.”

Breezy conditions and rain will be likely in the Triangle beginning Thursday night, with the bulk of the rain falling all day Friday. Saturday will be mostly dry.

The latest models on Tuesday afternoon forecast wind gusts of up to 40 mph in the Triangle and up to an inch and a half of rain.

If Nicole makes landfall in Florida as a hurricane, it would be only the 4th ever recorded to hit the U.S. in the month of November.

Hurricane watches and tropical storm watches are already in place from Florida to South Carolina.

WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth explained N.C. will be impacted more by rain than by wind, although isolated tornadoes will be possible.

“This will be a rain event for central and eastern parts of N.C.,” Wilmoth said. “We could have some gusty winds, but the rain will be the biggest story as Nicole swings through the eastern part of the state late this week and early Saturday.”

Mudslides will be possible in the N.C. mountains, and coastal erosion will be possible at beaches.

Hurricane season officially extends through Nov. 30, although storms like this are more likely in September and October. Only three hurricanes have made landfall in the United States in the month of November since 1851.