Rain, storm chances increase this evening, flash floods possible along and east of I-95

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Central North Carolina is under a level 1 risk for severe weather Thursday, with showers and storms increasing in intensity through the evening. Up to 3 inches of rain could fall through midnight, with the greatest impact coming along and east of Interstate 95.

The National Weather Service has posted a flash flood watch for a stretch of North and South Carolina that includes Raleigh, Fayetteville and Columbia, S.C.

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We’ll have cloudy skies with showers and storms likely this evening with some heavy rainfall,” WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said.

“Overnight it should remain mostly cloudy with showers and storms still possible.”

Storms popped up before noon in the Sandhills, where thunder and lightning were reported near Dunn.

The slow-moving rain could bring isolated flooding. “The cells will not move very quickly and could produce a lot of heavy rain,” WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

The entire viewing area, including the Triangle, is under a flash flood watch until 8 a.m. Friday.

There is an 80% chance for rain across central North Carolina through about 9 p.m., with rain still likely through mid-morning on Friday.

Some storms could be severe Thursday afternoon and evening, with the main threat being wind damage. Gardner said..

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On Friday, scattered rain will continue in the Triangle and to the east through the morning as the front moves away. The afternoon should be mostly dry, and highs will be milder again, in the low 80s.

Gardner said some rain is in the forecast each day for the next seven days, although it won’t be as heavy as Thursday’s. On Saturday, isolated rain and storms will be around the area midday and afternoon, although not everyone will see rain.

Cooler-than-usual temperatures and scattered thunderstorms are in the forecast all next week as an upper level low pressure system stalls directly over North Carolina.

Highs will be in the low 80s all weekend, and early next week could see some highs in the upper 70s.

7-Day Forecast