Tropical Storm Warning issued for NC coast; heavy rain, storms expected in central NC
Raleigh, N.C. — A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for North Carolina’s coast.
On Sunday morning, Tropical Depression Claudette was moving through Georgia with sustained winds of 30 mph, according to the 5 a.m. advisory from the National Weather Center.
“We expect it to weaken just a little bit more throughout the day, and then it’s going to re-strengthen,” said WRAL meteorologist Peta Sheerwood.
The system is bringing the threat of flooding and heavy rains to North Carolina. Currently, rain and storms have already begun in some of the state’s southwestern counties.
In Georgia, the system is producing severe storms.
“We are going to see those showers really filter in throughout this morning,” said Sheerwood.
Light rain was spreading into Sanford, Moore County and Cumberland County around 6 a.m. on Sunday. Counties to the southwest were seeing thunder and heavy rainfall. Those tropical rainfalls are expected to move into the Triangle.
“We may be dry in Raleigh and Durham right now, but we are going to see showers lift towards the north throughout the morning,” said Sheerwood.
Rain could reach the Triangle by around noon. Strong to severe thunderstorms could move into the region later in the afternoon, bringing potential for damaging wind speeds, hail and possibly tornadoes.
Overnight, the center of circulation for Claudette should move through North Carolina. It has potential to bring winds of around 45 mph, especially if it re-strengthens into a Tropical Storm.
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the North Carolina coast and most of the state’s coastline — from Cape Lookout to the Virginia border — could experience storm surge. The National Hurricane Center says tropical storm conditions are possible Sunday night and Monday morning at North Carolina beaches.
Expect to see on-and-off rain and some flooding on Sunday, Maloch said. Winds are not as big of a threat for North Carolina Sunday and Monday.
North Carolina is going to see rain overnight Saturday that will last until at least 7 a.m. Sunday morning. Additional showers will be possible in the Sandhills later Sunday morning. Parts of the state, including Wake County, are under a Level 1 risk for severe weather Sunday. The threat means there will be a chance for damaging winds, heavy rainfall and tornados.
An area of low pressure will stay south of North Carolina, which Maloch says is good news. This means our chances of tornados forming are low.
More showers are possible on Monday night from the storm.
“By the time it gets to us, it would be a remnant low pressure system,” said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell.
Threat of more storms on Tuesday
There should be a break in the rain Monday night, but a cold front Tuesday will deliver another round of showers and thunderstorms.
Rainfall totals could reach 1.5 inches by Tuesday in the Triangle. The heaviest amounts of rain would appear in our southwestern counties with severe weather possible in the southeast half of the viewing area.
“Rain will be more impactful than wind, but we could see some gusts up to 35 miles per hour,” said Campbell, adding that the tornado threat will depend on the exact track of the system.
The National Weather Service said the system is expected to produce heavy rain and flash flooding along the Gulf Coast states. Tropical storm conditions are expected to start Friday from Intracoastal City, La. to western Florida. Those same conditions are possible along parts of the North Carolina coast on Sunday night and Monday.
There is a high risk for flash flooding for some Gulf Coast states on Saturday.
Officials say the storm demolished or badly damaged at least 50 homes in a small town just north of the Florida border and a suspected tornado “pretty much leveled” a mobile home park.
Claudette is the first named storm to make landfall in the United States during the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season