Most of central North Carolina — including the Triangle — could see storms from Thursday night to Saturday afternoon, May 29-31, and some of them could bring large hail, damaging winds or even gin up an isolated tornado.
The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the next few days as a series of weather systems creates instability. A mid- and upper-level disturbance will move across North and South Carolina Thursday afternoon and evening, and a low-pressure system will strengthen across the Ohio Valley Thursday night, meteorologists say. That will move across the Middle Atlantic region Friday and Friday night, at the same time a strong cold front will move across the Carolinas.
Here’s when forecasters say to be on alert.
Severe storms Thursday afternoon and evening
The Weather Service said Thursday, May 29, that scattered storms will develop after 4 p.m. and through the evening, some of which could generate locally damaging wind gusts. The chance of rain in Raleigh is 60% Thursday night, and total rainfall amounts could be up to three-fourths of an inch.
Rain and storms could start the weekend
Severe thunderstorms are expected Friday, most likely starting after 2 p.m. in the Triangle, forecasters say. Large hail and damaging wind gusts will be the primary hazards, but a tornado or two is possible across the region that includes Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties…