Gardner: Severe storms could lead to flooding, downed trees

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist

Raleigh, N.C. — Much of central North Carolina is under a level 2 risk for severe weather Wednesday, with strong winds, heavy rain and frequent lightning possible.

The morning will be quiet, but storms will begin to develop after lunchtime.

They’ll last longer than typical summer storms, meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said, lingering into Thursday morning and possibly impacting the morning commute.

Winds could knock down trees Wednesday, Gardner said, and because the storms are slow-moving, localized flooding is possible from the heavy rainfall.

The storms will be somewhat isolated, but there’s not one part of the viewing area that has a higher risk of seeing severe weather, Gardner said.

The heat index will reach 96 degrees, and humidity levels will fall slightly after the storms.

High temperatures stay in the 90s until Saturday, when they’ll peak in the upper 80s.