Maze: Thursday's tornado threat warning worth your attention

By WRAL Severe Weather Center

It’s not often that the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center issues a level 3 alert for severe weather in central North Carolina, and this week’s warning is worth our attention, WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said.

The Storm Prediction Center is warning about the chance for hail at least 2 inches in diameter, locally damaging winds up to 75 mph and even several tornadoes, which could blow at more than 100 mph on Thursday. The chance of greatest threat is between 2 and 8 p.m., Maze said.

Tuesday will end cloudy and cool, with temperatures dipping into the 40s in the evening as rain moves out.

Wednesday is warmer, with a high near 63 and just a 20% chance for showers.

Then the severe threat sets in for Thursday. Thursday will also be the warmest day of the week, with a high over 70 degrees.

The day will begin with cloudy skies, a light breezy and a small chance for showers, then showers and storms becoming more likely later in the afternoon and into the evening. 

“We have a high risk for damaging winds and tornadoes,” Maze said. “Be sure to have a reliable way to get instant weather information.”

There is a 30 percent chance for rain on Friday, and highs will stay around 60 degrees. The weekend looks mostly sunny and dry but colder, with highs in the mid to upper 50s for both Saturday and Sunday.