With level 3 risk for severe weather, trick-or-treaters should start early, pay attention

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist

Raleigh, N.C. — The region is under a level 3 risk for severe weather on Halloween night with dangerous conditions expected to move into the Triangle by 8 or 9 p.m.

“The timeline for severe weather is going to be critical for folks headed out to trick-or-treat,” said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.

Spotty showers across the region Thursday afternoon could give way to gusty winds and isolated tornadoes in the late evening.

The storms will move into Moore, Chatham and Orange counties by 8 p.m. and into Raleigh, Durham and Fayetteville by 9 p.m.

Storms are expected to start clearing from the area by 11 p.m.

Trick-or-treating early in the evening is a good plan, Gardner said, but it’s important to keep an eye on the weather regardless. “Even if smaller storms pop-up, it really won’t be safe for kids to be out trick-or-treating,” Gardner said. “It’s one of those nights you’re going to really have to pay attention.”

Gardner said anyone heading out for Halloween festivities should check the weather before they leave home and download the WRAL Weather app to get severe weather alerts. Get mobile alerts with the WRAL Weather app

During the patch of severe weather, winds could gust up to 70 mph, knocking down trees. Isolated tornadoes are possible.

“You want to make sure your trick-or-treaters are finished with all their routes by 8 o’clock,” Gardner said.

The storms will continue moving east and should be out of central North Carolina by midnight.

A cold front is pushing the storms through the area. Thursday’s high is 80 degrees, but temperatures Friday will reach only 60 degrees.

Overnight lows on Friday will dip into the high 30s.