Tropical depression could bring weekend rain to Triangle

WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said at noon that Tropical Depression 16 is expected to move into eastern North Carolina and soak the region, which has not seen significant rainfall in several months. As of noon Wednesday, the system had wind speeds of 35 miles per hour. If the winds increase to 39 or more, the system will be named Nate.

"We could have fairly significant rain over the weekend," Gardner said. "The farther east this goes, the better chance we'll have for seeing some significant rain in North Carolina."

She said between 2.5 and 4 inches of rain could result from the weather system.

"Some rain could begin late Saturday night or into Sunday and continue into the early part of next week."

If it develops, the storm will be named Nate.

Current models show that the potential system will bring the most rain to central and western portions of Tennessee. "The heaviest bands of rain will be around 2 to 4 inches, and we'll kind of miss that, but our area could see half an inch to 1 inch of rain," said Gardner.

If Nate develops, the system's effects could bring an end to a long dry spell in the Triangle. According to weather reports, 21 days have passed without any measurable rainfall at RDU.

Although meteorologists will be closely watching the system in the following days, skies in the Triangle will remain clear and bright through the work week. Wednesday will be warmer than Tuesday, but pleasant, before temperatures rise into the mid 80s for Thursday and Friday.