Severe weather threat expands through most of NC

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist

Raleigh, N.C. — A level 1 threat for severe weather has been expanded throughout most of North Carolina as two fronts move into the state Thursday.

A disturbance is moving in from the northwest, and a sea-breeze front is moving inland.

Earlier in the morning, Wake County and northern areas were under the threat.

While the early afternoon should be quiet, storms are expected to move into central North Carolina late afternoon and stay throughout the night.

“Some of these storms may be on the stronger side,” meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

Damaging winds, heavy rain, hail and frequent lightning are possible.

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Those storms are expected to move through the Triangle around 9 p.m.

Thursday’s high is 93 degrees.

Most of central North Carolina is under a level 1 threat for severe weather on Friday, too, as another front approaches from the south.

The storms will move in late afternoon or early evening Friday.

“It looks like a rainy evening,” Gardner said. “It is not looking good.”

Friday’s high will be 89 degrees.

Showers will linger Saturday, but high temperatures drop to the low 80s.

A break in the rain should come Sunday.