Scattered showers & storms on tap Friday afternoon, WRAL Weather Alert Day issued for Saturday
Rain chances continue Friday into Saturday, which is now a WRAL Weather Alert Day.
It's going to be another hot, rainy day. The good news is Friday morning looks dry.
The best chance for showers will be mid-afternoon into Friday night.
"Friday we see some showers and storms return and rain chances ramp up for Saturday and Sunday," WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy skies, slim chance of rain in the afternoon, but storms possible in the evening. High of 82.
- Saturday: Rain showers in the morning with numerous thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s.
- Sunday: Showers early, becoming a steady rain later in the day. High of 70.
WRAL Weather Alert Day issued for Saturday
Saturday is now a WRAL Weather Alert Day.
The risk has been upgraded for our southern counties, which are now under a Level 2 threat for severe storms. The Triangle remains under a Level 1 risk.
"Strong storms are possible on Saturday, mainly during the afternoon and evening with damaging winds being the primary threat," said WRAL meteorologist Anthony Baglione. "An isolated tornado is also possible if instability starts to build."
Rain chances continue into Sunday
Sunday will be another rainy day.
"The weekend is definitely looking unsettled with scattered showers and storms each day, especially into the afternoons and evenings," Baglione said.
Sunday will also be cooler.
"Highs will be much cooler on Sunday, in the upper 60s, with the rain and clouds around," Baglione said.
It will be very muggy over the weekend but as we get into Monday and Tuesday of next week it should turn less humid and morning lows will fall into the 50s.
We have an early look at Memorial Day Weekend and it looks like it could be warmer than normal and wetter than normal as well.
7-day forecast for central NC
- Friday: Showers and storms in the afternoon. High of 82.
- Saturday: Warm with a chance for storms. Highs in the upper 70s.
- Sunday: A passing shower. High of 70.
- Monday: Partly Cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s.
- Tuesday: Partly Cloudy. 20% chance of precipitation. Highs in the low 80s.
- Wednesday: Intervals of clouds and sunshine. Highs in the mid 80s.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny skies. Highs in the upper 80s.
Prepare for a busy 2024 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will see 15 to 20 named storms in the Atlantic basin, according to researchers at North Carolina State University.
The number of named storms is significantly higher than the long-term average and moderately higher than recent 30-year averages, according to Lian Xie, professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences at N.C. State.
In 2024, N.C. State researchers predict:
- 15-20 named storms
- 10 to 12 may grow strong enough to become hurricanes (the historical average is six)
- Three to four becoming major hurricanes
Meanwhile, forecasters at Colorado State University are calling for 24 named storms in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. That is higher than the average year, when 14 storms earn a name.
CSU forecasters say 11 storms will reach hurricane strength, up from the average of seven, and five of those hurricanes could be "major," that is Category 3, 4 or 5, with winds over 111 mph.
