Weather

Yucky weather moves out; snow stays way to north

The Triangle weathered days of dreary rain and cold, but missed out on early-season snow that blanketed Pennsylvania on Thursday.

Posted Updated
Rainfall totals
By
Greg Fishel
, WRAL chief meteorologist
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Triangle weathered days of dreary rain and cold, but missed out on early-season snow that blanketed Pennsylvania and New York on Thursday. In those states, up to six inches fell, hampering commutes and prompting many to post photos to social media.
Travelers at Raleigh-Durham International Airport felt the sting in delayed and canceled flights to hubs like New York and Boston.

"We're about to see the end of the just general yuckiness," WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said.

While spotty showers stick around through Thursday evening in the Triangle, warmer, sunny, clear days are on the way.

"Skies start to clear after midnight," Fishel said.

"For Friday, we may see some high clouds making the sun look milky, but the weather will be much, much more pleasant."

The return of the sun sends temperatures soaring back toward the norm for this time of year.

"Just to get the sun back will be enough to get us to 53 on Friday," Fishel said.

The forecast high for Saturday, when tens of thousands are expected to line the streets for Raleigh's annual Christmas parade, is near 60 degrees.

"It will be a beautiful fall day to get outside," Fishel said.

"If you were hoping for snow, there isn't any in the forecast, but you can find it at WRAL Winter Wonderland, at Saint Mary's School on Hillsborough Street immediately after the parade ends.

The event features two sled runs, falling snow and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus to put people in the holiday spirit, even as the temperatures climb through the upper 50s to 60.

Wintry weather in the mountains, possible flooding to the east

What manifested as cold rain in the Triangle brought some of the season's first snow and sleet to some mountain communities, but that wintry mix of precipitation passed the Triangle to the north.
Two inches of rain have already accumulated over eastern North Carolina this week, and flooded roads and several water rescues were reported Wednesday morning in Lee and Moore counties.
Rainfall totals
Data from the National Weather Service showed a possibility for moderate flooding Thursday along the Little River at Manchester, the Lumber River in Lumberton and the Neuse River at Smithfield.

Flooding could come later in the week further downstream. The data predicts moderate flooding (55.8 feet, or 13.8 feet above flood stage) on the Cape Fear River near the Cumberland-Bladen County line early Friday morning and that the Neuse River near Goldsboro will crest 3 feet above flood stage on Monday afternoon.

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