Tornado threat has diminished but Wake now under severe weather warning

By Alfred Charles, WRAL.com managing editor

Raleigh, N.C. — Parts of Wake County are under a severe thunderstorm warning after a tornado warning issued earlier in the evening for the county was allowed to expire.

WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said the system is weakening as it moves to the north at 30 miles per hour. The severe thunderstorm warning for Wake extends until 7:45 p.m.

Maze said the storm could bring gusty winds up to 60 miles per hour and nickel-sized hail.

There were reports Friday evening of a confirmed tornado that was seen 8 miles southwest of Fuquay-Varina.

“The threat of a tornado has eased but you can still expect heavy rain,” Maze said shortly after the tornado warning expired at 7 p.m.

He said winds were gusting over 50 miles per hour and there’s the possibility that the National Weather Service could issue a severe weather warning as the evening progresses.

There were no immediate reports of damage from the tornado.

The threat of precipitation lasts through the weekend, and there’s the risk of more severe weather Sunday night into Monday morning, Maze said.

“There is that potential for an active rainy weekend,” he said. “We will have the threat of showers for much of the day.”

Temperatures on Saturday are expected to top out in the mid-70s with lows dipping in the 60s.

The risk of stormy weather lingers into Sunday, which has a 40 percent chance for rain.

The biggest risk occurs from Sunday night into Monday, Maze said.