Month: July 2019

By Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter Wendell, N.C. — When thunderstorms rock eastern Wake County, the threat is all too real for some Wendell residents. The imprint of a May tornado is still visible on the Parkers’ farm. Piles of trees and what used to be a hay barn are reminders of how powerful that storm was. And a severe storm forecast forces them to think about the present while still working on cleanup of the…

By Deborah Strange, WRAL digital journalist Raleigh, N.C. — Johnston, Wayne and Wilson counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning as a cold front marching through the region triggers severe weather with torrential downpours, lightning and gusty winds. According to the National Weather Service, the severe thunderstorm warning for those three counties extends through 4:15 p.m. WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said. Those same counties had been under a tornado warning but it was allowed to…

By Deborah Strange, WRAL digital journalist Raleigh, N.C. — A tornado warning has been issued for Johnston, Wayne and Wilson counties as severe weather marches through the region. According to the National Weather Service, the tornado warning is in effect until 3:30 p.m., and WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said residents in those areas should take cover as a precaution. The radar-indicated storm shows a cell moving over Clayton as of 3:07 p.m., Maze said. “Remain…

By Deborah Strange, WRAL digital journalist Raleigh, N.C. — Much of central North Carolina is under the threat of severe weather Tuesday as a cold front moves through the region, bringing the possibility of heavy downpours, gusty winds and lightning. At 2:30 p.m., a severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for Harnett, Johnston and Wake counties until 3:30 p.m. A severe thunderstorm watch, which means conditions are right for storms to form, is in effect…

CHAPEL HILL – A “regime shift” defined as “large, persistent changes in the structure and function of social-ecological systems, with substantive impacts on the suite of ecosystem services provided by these systems” appears to be underway for coastal North Carolina with precipitation levels in recent storms being “off the charts,” say researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill. Driving the change is climate change, they conclude. Citing data accumulated since 1898, the researchers note that six of the…

ABC11 is in First Alert Mode as many parts of the viewing area are under risk for severe weather Tuesday.Heavy showers and thunderstorms will be seen across the region Tuesday as a strong cold front slinks its way across North Carolina.CHECK THE RADAR HERE. Active warnings: A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Chatham, Harnett, Lee and Wake counties until 2:30 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for all of the ABC11…

ABC11 is in First Alert Mode as many parts of the viewing area are under risk for severe weather on Tuesday.Heavy showers and thunderstorms will be seen across the region Tuesday as a strong cold front slinks its way across North Carolina. With lots of humidity for the storms to feast on from the previous few days, the rainfall has the potential to be very heavy, producing flooding rain and damaging winds. Raleigh and areas…

By Deborah Strange, WRAL digital journalist Raleigh, N.C. — Much of central North Carolina is under the threat of severe weather Tuesday as a cold front moves through the region, bringing the possibility of heavy downpours, gusty winds and lightning. A flash flood watch was issued for numerous counties, including Durham, Johnston, Orange, Wake and Wilson, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Several areas are under a Level 2 risk for severe weather, including Fayetteville,…

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL digital journalist Raleigh, N.C. — The Triangle and southeastern areas are under a level 2 threat for severe weather, with frequent lightning, heavy rain and damaging winds possible, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. Areas to the northwest are under a level 1 alert. A cold front is moving eastward, pushing the storms through with cooler temperatures. Tuesday’s high is expected to be 80 degrees. Rain fell early Tuesday morning but was…

LISBON, Portugal — Emergency services in Portugal say they have brought under control 90 percent of a huge wildfire which has raged for four days and injured 39 people. But officials are warning Tuesday that forecasts for afternoon temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius and gusting winds could drive the flames further through dense pine and eucalyptus forests on hilly terrain. The Civil Protection Agency says just over 1,000 firefighters and 328 vehicles are continuing…