Tornado watch issued for most of central NC including Wake, Durham counties

By WRAL Severe Weather Center

Raleigh, N.C. — A tornado watch has been issued for most of central North Carolina including Wake, Durham and Johnston counties. The watch is in effect until 8 p.m. on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Areas in central and western North Carolina are under Level 2 risk for severe storms for Thursday, with damaging winds being the biggest threat.

Winds could gust up to 60 mph across central North Carolina, according to the National Weather Service. Residents should expect to see some damage to roofs, siding and trees from the wind.

Three tornado warnings went into effect on Thursday afternoon across central North Carolina. Those warnings have since expired and it is not known at this time if any tornadoes touched down.

A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 12 miles southeast of Fayetteville, moving northeast at 70 mph at around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Officials warned that residents in the areas of Sampson County, eastern Cumberland County, Moore County and central Johnston County should take cover until 1:45 p.m.

“It’s a very fast-moving storm that we are tracking,” said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell.

The rotating thunderstorm remained over rural areas of four counties including Vander, Spivey’s Corner, Cedar Creek, Falcon and Autryville until 1:45 p.m.

Southern Pines is not included in the tornado warning but another tornado warning was issued for Warrenton at 1:30 p.m.

If the storm holds together, it could move into Wayne, Chatham, Alamance and Person counties and trigger tornado warnings there. At this time, no additional tornado warnings have been issued.

If a tornado warning is issued in your area, here is advice from the National Weather Service for what to do:

• Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
• Avoid windows.
• If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
• Stay up-to-date with weather alerts from WRAL​

“Straight line winds can blow down trees, power lines, and damage mobile homes and other buildings,” according to a warning from the NWS. “Seek shelter in a sturdy structure until the storm has passed. Stay away from windows as flying debris generated by damaging winds can be deadly.”

“We have low level winds that are transporting a lot of moisture from down south,” said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. “It’s going to transport it right into our area.”

Wind damage could be a problem before the storms even move in, said WRAL meteorologist Zach Maloch. Isolated showers will also be possible.

The storms will impact central North Carolina between noon and 5 p.m., but most of the activity should be over by the evening commute. Storms could continue later along the Interstate 95 corridor, and everyone could see isolated showers lingering throughout the evening.

Up to 1 inch of rain is possible. Thursday will be a very warm day, with a high in the mid to upper 70s.

Conditions will be drier overnight and by Friday morning, with lows staying in the 50s. Friday will be a mostly sunny and breezy day, with a high around 69 degrees and winds gusting up to 25 mph.

Saturday will be partly cloudy and mainly dry, but a stray shower is possible Saturday evening and night as a weak cold front moves across the state. It will be cooler, in the mid 60s, and less breezy as well.​​​​​​

Dreamville at Dix Park this weekend should be fine, Gardner explained. If rain falls Saturday night, it shouldn’t be enough to ruin the experience for festival-goers.