Rain moving into the Triangle; Mother's Day under level 2 threat for severe weather

By Kat Campbell & Peta Sheerwood, WRAL meteorologists

Raleigh, N.C. — Rain was beginning to move into the Triangle on Saturday afternoon, and scattered thunderstorms are possible during the night.

Meteorologist Kat Campbell said there could be some rumbles of thunder and strikes of lightning Saturday night, although she said any storms aren’t likely to be severe.

Meredith College will have its graduation ceremony Saturday night. The weather stayed dry for morning commencements of North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Campbell University and St. Augustine’s University.

There’s a 50 percent chance for rain Saturday afternoon and a 60 percent chance in the evening.

The storm system is following a low-pressure boundary that comes with a cold front that will stall over North Carolina.

Another round of rain is expected to move in overnight Saturday around midnight through 6 a.m. Sunday, but the Triangle will see a break around 8 a.m.

On Mother’s Day, the Triangle and southward through Atlanta are under a level 2 risk of severe weather. Heavy rain, damaging winds and hail are possible, although it’s not expected to be a washout, Campbell said.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University have their commencements scheduled for Sunday morning. Campbell said those ceremonies should be dry, although scattered showers are possible.

While there’s a 30 percent chance for rain Sunday morning, that chance rises to 50 percent in the afternoon and 70 percent to the evening and night.

Raleigh could see almost 3 inches of rain through the end of the weekend.

After the Triangle’s seventh wet weekend in a row, dry conditions return Monday. High temperatures will be in the mid-70s throughout next week.

Johnston Community College will hold its commencement Monday evening, and Durham Technical Community College will have its commencement Tuesday evening.