Temperatures tick upward on Tuesday as severe weather returns to forecast

By WRAL Severe Weather Center

Raleigh, N.C. — It will be a warm week, with several days in the 70s and a threat for severe weather on Wednesday.

Tuesday will be a warmer day, with a high of 73 degrees. It will also be more cloudy, although rain is not expected until Wednesday, when we’ll have the potential for scattered showers and thunderstorms possible in the afternoon and evening. Wednesday will be even warmer, with a high in the mid 70s.

Currently, there is a Level 2 risk for severe storms Wednesday, something meteorologists will be watching throughout the week.

“The timeline would be late Wednesday evening,” WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said. “Main threats will be pockets of heavy rain, isolated tornadoes and gusty winds.”

The same system that could bring storms to our area midweek will pass through Texas on Monday and Louisiana and Mississippi on Tuesday, where a Level 4 risk for severe storms and tornadoes is in place.

“The storm energy begins to decrease when the system moves into North Carolina,” Wilmoth said. “We do not anticipate widespread severe storms at this time, although isolated severe storms will be possible during the Wednesday evening commute.”

According to WRAL meteorologist Peta Sheerwood, Wednesday’s showers and storms are expected to clear by Thursday. Highs in the 70s will fall into the upper 60s beginning Friday, and those cooler temperatures will continue into the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday will be very mild, with highs in the low to mid 60s. Rain is not expected.

Wednesday afternoon and evening, and the chance for showers lingers until about noon on Thursday.

Eager to get the garden going?

Wondering if it’s okay to start planting? Temperatures will stay spring-like for a while, but cooler temperatures are ahead. We’re expecting cooler than average temperatures next week, according to meteorologists.

Our average last freeze comes in mid-April.