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Drier afternoon ahead after heavy downpours cause crashes, flooding
Raleigh, N.C. — After heavy downpours resulted in numerous flooded roads and crashes Thursday morning, the rain is slowly moving out of our area.
WRAL meteorologist Zach Maloch said showers will be possible through 1 p.m. as the rain moves northeast, and we should really start to dry out by 2 or 3 p.m. Temperatures on Thursday afternoon could reach the upper 60s. The evening commute will be dry.
Many people woke to thunder and lightning Thursday morning after storms rolled in overnight. Heavy downpours intensified during the morning commute, and isolated flooding was reported on U.S. Highway 1 in Cary and on Interstate 440 near Glenwood Avenue.
A flash flood warning was issued for Wake and Johnston counties, and a tree large fell in a neighborhood off Western Boulevard in Raleigh. Numerous crashes were reported throughout the morning, including two involving large trucks on I-540 in north Raleigh and on U.S. Highway 70 in Clayton.
Friday will be a dry, warm day with highs in the 70s. Rain showers could build in by 10 p.m. Friday, and there will be a risk for severe storms by 3 or 4 p.m. Saturday.
Sunday, the first day of spring, will be sunny and mild, with a high in the mid 60s.
Severe weather expected this weekend
According to WRAL meteorologist Zach Maloch, central and eastern North Carolina are under a Level 1 and Level 2 risk for severe weather on Saturday afternoon, with isolated tornadoes and damaging winds most likely in communities from the Triangle south and east. Those storms should move out of the area by 8 p.m.
Saturday will be another warm day, with a high of 78 degrees.
Wondering if it’s okay to start planting? Temperatures will stay spring-like for a while. WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said there’s no indication of cold air like we saw last weekend on any forecast models. That said, it’s important to remember our average last freeze comes in mid-April.
Our normal high temperature for this time of year is 62 degrees, so the entire week will be warmer than usual.
