Raleigh is waking to fog and mist Sunday morning with temperatures near 70 degrees, but the quiet start will not last. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to build late this morning, bringing a serious afternoon weather threat across the Triangle.
Storms Arrive Around Midday
The main storm window runs from about 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the heaviest activity possible from late morning through midafternoon. The National Weather Service in Raleigh says storms could produce brief tornadoes and strong to severe wind gusts, while rainfall totals may reach one-half to three-quarters of an inch.
The greatest short-track tornado risk is expected northeast of Raleigh toward Goldsboro, Rocky Mount, Henderson and Roanoke Rapids, although an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out elsewhere in central North Carolina. There are no active watches, warnings or advisories listed for Raleigh this morning, but residents should keep weather alerts nearby and move indoors promptly if thunder develops.
Sunny And Unseasonably Warm Workweek
Sunday’s storms should fade after 6 p.m., leaving a partly cloudy night with a low near 63 degrees. Monday brings sunny skies and a high near 80, followed by another sunny day Tuesday with temperatures climbing to about 84.
Wednesday looks like the week’s hottest day, with a sunny high near 89 degrees before temperatures ease back to around 82 Thursday and 80 Friday. Rain chances stay close to zero through most of the workweek, making the forecast a dramatic turnaround from Sunday’s messy start.
Sharp Cooldown Arrives Next Weekend
A stronger front should arrive late Friday or Saturday, bringing a slight chance of showers and a high near 69 Saturday. Temperatures could fall to around 45 Saturday night, so the Raleigh forecast is swinging from foggy thunderstorms to summerlike warmth and then straight into jacket weather…