Flash flooding possible Friday during widespread, all-day rain

Raleigh, N.C. — Remnants from Beta will bring all-day rain to North Carolina on Friday, and much of the viewing area is under a risk for flash flooding.

According to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, scattered showers are likely for the morning commute, then scattered showers and storms will stay with us on and off throughout the entire day. The heaviest rain will fall in the late afternoon.

While some thunderstorms will be possible, severe weather is not expected.

The main threat will be the potential for pockets of flash flooding in some places and ponding on roads. There will not be widespread flooding, but if heavy rain falls in one area for a length of time, flooding on roads could become dangerous.

Gardner said areas south of the Triangle could see the most rain and the greatest chance for flooding Friday afternoon.

By Saturday, the persistent rain will taper off, and Gardner said it will be a nice weekend overall. A few showers could linger into Saturday, but widespread rain is not expected this weekend.

Although between a 20% to 30% chance for rain lingers for Saturday and Sunday, much of the weekend will be dry, especially Sunday, Gardner said.

Beta has dissipated and is no longer a tropical depression, but before it weakened the storm dropped close to 15 inches of rain in Texas. In contrast, the Triangle will see less than 1.5 inches of rain from Beta’s remnants.

The northern and western parts of the state will see more rain, up to 2 or 3 inches. Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee will also see rain from Beta.

Although elevated dew points could make the air feel steamy and summer-like again, the Climate Prediction Center’s temperature outlook for Sep. 29 through Oct. 5 shows below-normal temperatures for North Carolina.

Highs will be in the low 80s for the weekend and early next week, but fall-like weather returns Wednesday.