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Tornado warning expires for Moore County, but central NC remains under Level 2 risk for severe weather
Raleigh, N.C. — Central North Carolina is under a Level 2 risk for severe weather on Monday afternoon and evening, which has already prompted at least one tornado warning in the WRAL viewing area.
Moore County was under a tornado warning until 3:15 p.m, which the National Weather Service has let expire.
A tornado warning means severe weather is imminent or occurring while a tornado watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather.
WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell said the thunderstorms moving into the area have a history of producing tornados including in Tupelo, Mississippi, and Atlanta, Georgia.
The region had been under a Level 1 risk, but the system that has wreaked havoc across the South was speeding toward North Carolina. There were dozens of tornado reports across Mississippi on Sunday, and storms caused damage near Atlanta.
“We get into that daytime heating and that tends to destabilize the atmosphere even more,” WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.
The threats from the system include damaging wind gusts, hail and isolated tornadoes. The greatest tornado risk is just near Charlotte, where a tornado watch was in effect until 7 p.m. The Sandhills region also has ingredients in place for some strong or rotating thunderstorms, Campbell said.
After sunset, the risk for severe weather and thunderstorms will die down, Campbell said.
The region will be under a Level 1 risk on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the main threats being wind and hail. The timeline Tuesday is from about 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., although some rain could linger overnight. Storms are likely to be less widespread on Wednesday.
Highs on Monday will be in the low 80s. Tuesday will be hot and muggy, with highs near 90. Wednesday has a forecast high of 83.
Thursday will be drier, with a 20 percent chance for rain Thursday night through Friday morning.
The weekend looks dry, with most of the rain up in Virginia. Highs will be in the 70s Saturday and 80s Sunday for Mothers Day.