Tornado warnings in effect; dangerous storms spotted near Clinton, headed towards Goldsboro

View The Original Article Here

— The Triangle saw gusty winds and downpours through mid-day on Christmas Eve, while tornado warnings popped up to the south.

Much of the eastern half of the state, including Wake and Johnston counties, is under a tornado watch – which means conditions are right for tornadoes to form – through 10 p.m.

Just before 3 p.m., a warning was issued, meaning tornado conditions were detected by radar, for parts of Johnston, Wayne and Sampson counties.

“That means severe weather is imminent or occurring and you need to get to your safe place,” said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell.

Radar detected rotation near Clinton around 3 p.m.

The National Weather Service said a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located eight miles west of Clinton at 3 p.m., moving northeast at 50 mph. A second thunderstorm, approximately 10 miles to the north, was also capable of producing a tornado.

On Thursday, the Triangle is under a Level 2 risk for severe weather, and counties east of Raleigh, including the coast, are under a Level 3 risk. The risk has not been that great since the spring.

“Showers and storms likely through at least 11 p.m., with some being strong to severe,” WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said.

Multiple counties, including Johnston, Cumberland, Wayne, Wilson and Nash, are also under a wind advisory until 1 a.m. on Friday. Winds of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph are expected.

Greatest severe weather risks

Maze says the greatest threat for the Triangle will be damaging wind gusts greater than 60 mph during the storms and “supercells,” or rotating thunderstorms.

To the south and east of the Triangle, the potential for tornadoes is greater. During the noon hour, tornado warnings were issued in Robeson and Bladen counties, but no damage was reported.

Tornado warning, 12:12 p.m., Dec. 24, 2020

Localized flooding is also possible as heavy rain is forecast to fall into the evening.

Bitter cold air for Christmas morning

A second line of storms, expected to cross North Carolina late Thursday night, will usher in much colder temperatures. Overnight on Christmas Eve, temperatures will drop across the Triangle from the mid-60s to the mid-30s.

“Once the cold front passes at around midnight, we should see the temperatures drop, the air stabilize and then just rain is expected until close to daybreak,” said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell.

In central North Carolina, the high on Christmas Day will reach only about 40 degrees, with wind chills that make it feel like the 20s, Maze said.

The cold continues into the weekend, with Friday’s overnight low dipping below 20 degrees.

Saturday and Sunday will be cold and clear, with temperatures gradually climbing back to more normal daytime highs in the 50s.

WRAL Night of Lights canceled for Christmas Eve

With heavy rain and gusty winds in the forecast, WRAL and the City of Raleigh have canceled the Christmas Eve viewing of Nights of Lights at Dorothea Dix Park.

The drive-thru light show will be suspended to keep workers and visitors from the danger of high winds.

Anyone with a ticket for Nights of Lights on Dec. 24 will get an email assigning them to another time slot on another night.

Ticketholders also have the option to request a refund at any time for any reason.

7-Day Forecast

Like Christmas, the weekend will be very cold, with highs in the mid 40s. Chances are very slim for snow, even with the cold weather temperatures.