Raleigh North Carolina News

By Kat Campbell, WRAL meteorologist Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina State University researchers are forecasting a busy Atlantic hurricane season that starts next month. In research published on Wednesday, NC State researchers are forecasting an above-normal season with the possibility of 17 to 21 named storms, 7 to 9 hurricanes and 3 to 5 major hurricanes. Dr. Xie was one of my professors when I studied meteorology at NC State. He evaluates sea-surface temperatures, hurricane…

By The Associated Press EUTAW, Ala. — Only 7,600 or so people live in impoverished Greene County, and hundreds of them are clustered in a public housing community called Branch Heights. Officials are now trying to find housing for more than 100 residents who were displaced when a tornado hit the neighborhood late Wednesday. The hunt is complicated by the fact that the rural area, located about 90 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of Birmingham, doesn’t…

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN, Associated Press With towering pine trees and cool mountain breezes, a pocket of southern New Mexico draws thousands of tourists and horse racing fans every summer. It’s also a community that knows how devastating wildfire can be. It was a decade ago that fire ripped through part of the village of Ruidoso, putting the vacation spot on the map with the most destructive wildfire in New Mexico’s recorded history when more…

By Keenan Willard WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter The latest report on this year’s hurricane season predicts another above-average number of storms will form in the Atlantic Ocean. Experts in North Carolina say the report comes as climate change is creating more powerful hurricanes, and making their behavior more dangerous as well. One of the first reports on the 2022 hurricane season has been released by Colorado State University. Researchers expect 19 named storms and…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — It will be another warm day in central North Carolina with temperatures reaching the low to mid 80s on Wednesday. After a mostly cloudy day on Wednesday, storms are possible on Thursday with parts of central North Carolina under a Level 1 risk for severe weather. The storms are coming from a system that will likely produce rounds of severe storms across Texas, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas…

Hundreds of millions of dollars in Hurricane Florence relief funds were distributed in North Carolina without the intended oversight in place, according to a report from N.C. Office of the State Auditor. The report said the state Department of Public Safety distributed more than $500 million from that fund with limited monitoring procedures. Another $783 million was distributed without making sure recipients could measure the results. The report said DPS required recovery fund recipients to submit monthly…

By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer Climate change made the record-smashing deadly 2020 Atlantic hurricane season noticeably wetter, a new study says. And it will likely make this season rainier, too, scientists said. Human-caused climate change made the entire season — 30 named storms — drop 5% more rain. During the 14 storms that reached hurricane status the rainfall was 8% heavier, according to the study in Tuesday’s Nature Communications. “It doesn’t sound like a…

By The Associated Press EDISON, Neb. — A wildfire in southern Nebraska fueled by dry conditions and strong winds forced the evacuation of the small village of Edison, destroyed several homes and factored into the death of a rural fire chief who was killed in a crash while responding to the blaze. The Nebraska State Patrol called for a mandatory evacuation Thursday night of the Furnas County community of about 130 people about 187 miles…

Expect an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year, Colorado State University meteorologist Philip Klotzbach said Thursday. Klotzbach and the university released their annual outlook, which is calling for 19 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes. The reasons for the above-average forecast include the lack of El Nino and warmer than normal subtropical Atlantic temperatures. El Nino, Klotzbach explained in a tweet, generally increases vertical wind shear in the Atlantic, tearing apart hurricanes. One…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — The threat of severe weather has passed in North Carolina Thursday evening. After several watches and warnings Thursday in the afternoon and early evening, all alerts have expired into the evening. A lightning strike in Johnston County caused a house fire Thursday evening. While authorities say the family was home when the strike happened, no one was injured in the fire. Hail was reported in Rocky Mount…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Level 1 and Level 2 risks for severe weather are in place across North Carolina for Thursday afternoon and evening. A Tornado Warning initially in effect for Wayne County was canceled shortly after. The Tornado Watch in central North Carolina was canceled earlier Monday evening. Edgecombe, Halifax, Johnston, Nash, Wayne and Wilson counties are still currently under a Tornado Watch until 9 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Level 1 and Level 2 risks for severe weather are in place across North Carolina for Thursday afternoon and evening. A Tornado Warning has gone into effect for Wayne County until 7 p.m. Thursday. The Tornado Watch in central North Carolina was canceled earlier Monday evening. Edgecombe, Halifax, Johnston, Nash, Wayne and Wilson counties are still currently under a Tornado Watch until 9 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Level 1 and Level 2 risks for severe weather are in place across North Carolina for Thursday afternoon and evening. A Tornado Watch has been issued until 9 PM. Storms were firing up on the DualDoppler5000 Thursday afternoon radar. Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Johnston and Wake counties are among the over 30 counties currently under the watch. The watch which contains parts central North Carolina and all the…

By Zach Maloch, WRAL meteorologist June 1, the start of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season is 55 days away and we are already getting the first extended range forecast for the season to come. Colorado State University releases one such forecast that helps breakdown what to expect. After seeing six straight hurricane seasons with above-normal activity (2016 – 2021) you would think we’d get a break, but that does not look to be the case….

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Level 1 and Level 2 risks for severe weather are in place across North Carolina for Thursday afternoon and evening, but the first half of the day will be mostly quiet. Rain was moving into Wake County at 7 a.m., and scattered showers will be likely throughout the morning. Isolated storms will be possible before noon, but the bulk of the activity will come after lunchtime. “We’ll…

By The Associated Press PEMBROKE, Ga. — Southerners were clearing trees from roads and buildings, but the threat of more severe weather Wednesday in Georgia was complicating recovery efforts. In Bryan County, Georgia, officials were urging residents to halt any cleanup work by mid-afternoon Wednesday and take shelter for the night as new storms began forming in west Georgia, and in parts of Alabama and Mississippi. Tuesday’s storms killed at least two people — one…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — There is a Level 1 risk for severe weather for Wake County and areas south and heavy rain is expected until around 10 p.m. Communities south and east of Fayetteville are under a Level 2 risk for severe storms. The greatest threat for severe weather is along the North Carolina-South Carolina border and along the coast. A flood advisory was issued on Tuesday night for Alamance, Durham,…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — There is a Level 1 risk for severe weather for Wake County and areas south and heavy rain is expected until the sun goes down. Communities south and east of Fayetteville are under a Level 2 risk for severe storms. The greatest threat for severe weather is along the North Carolina-South Carolina border and along the coast. There is a chance for damaging winds and heavy rain…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — There is a Level 1 risk for severe weather for Wake County and areas south and heavy rain is expected during the evening. Communities south and east of Fayetteville are under a Level 2 risk for severe storms. Starting at around 7 p.m., there is a chance for damaging winds and heavy rain in central North Carolina. Weather conditions do favor a tornado, but WRAL meteorologist Brian…

By Eric Miller, WRAL multimedia journalist Raleigh, N.C. — The National Weather Service on Friday confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in southeastern Durham County near the RTP during Thursday’s severe storms. Winds ripped the roof off of Pfizer’s office building in the Research Triangle Park. Although 100 mph winds were detected, Durham Division Chief Jim Cole said no one inside the building was hurt. “There’s no structural damage at all,” said Cole. “It could…

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in the Triangle on Thursday. The twister caused high winds that damaged the new Pfizer building on Shiloh Glenn Drive just west of Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The storm survey team determined the tornado had EF-1 strength. However, it’s unclear at this time how long it remained on the ground. More details are expected later Friday. The NWS Raleigh storm survey team near…

By Eric Miller, WRAL multimedia journalist Raleigh, N.C. — The National Weather Service on Friday confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in southeastern Durham County near RTP during Thursday’s severe storms. Strong winds and heavy rain caused damage and crashes across the Triangle on Thursday afternoon. Dozens of crashes were reported as people rushed to get home while the storm pelted across the Triangle. US-264 near Lizard Lick Road was closed after a truck overturned….

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Severe storms impacted central North Carolina Thursday afternoon, but most was clear by the evening commute. After these intense storms Thursday, Friday going into the weekend will be much more pleasant. Conditions will be drier overnight and by Friday morning, with lows staying in the 50s. Friday will be a mostly sunny and breezy day, with a high around 69 degrees and winds gusting up to 25…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Strong, rotating winds triggered tornado warnings for much of central North Carolina on Thursday, including Wake County. The storm hit areas close to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and then headed northeast at around 4:30 p.m. A tornado touched down near the airport, passing near Interstate 40 and Interstate 540 and along the western side of RDU, meteorologist Kat Campbell said. The tornado warning was canceled for Durham…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Strong, rotating winds triggered tornado warnings for much of central North Carolina on Thursday, including Wake County. The storm hit areas close to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and then headed northeast at around 4:30 p.m. A tornado touched down near the airport, passing near Interstate 40 and Interstate 540 and along the western side of RDU, meteorologist Kat Campbell said. The tornado caused damage to Pfizer’s office…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Strong winds, heavy rain and a tornado caused damage and crashes across the Triangle on Thursday afternoon. A tornado took part of the roof off of Pfizer’s office building in the Research Triangle Park around 4 p.m. Several trees and power lines were reported down in the area. No one was injured after the tornado hit the Pfizer building, officials said. Dozens of crashes were reported as…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Strong, rotating winds triggered tornado warnings for much of central North Carolina on Thursday, including Wake County. The storm hit areas close to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and then headed northeast at around 4:30 p.m. A tornado touched down near the airport, passing near Interstate 40 and Interstate 540 and along the western side of RDU, meteorologist Kat Campbell said. The tornado caused damage to Pfizer’s office…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Strong, rotating winds triggered a tornado warning for much of central North Carolina on Thursday, including Wake County. The storm hit areas close to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and then headed northeast. “We want you to get inside, in the most interior room possible,” said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell. The tornado warning was canceled for Durham and Wake counties at 4:20 p.m. Franklin and Granville counties were…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Strong, rotating winds triggered a tornado warning for much of central North Carolina on Thursday, including Wake County. The storm hit areas close to the RDU International Airport and then headed northeast. “We want you to get inside, in the most interior room possible,” said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell. The tornado warning was canceled for Durham and Wake counties at 4:20 p.m. Franklin and Granville counties were…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Strong, rotating winds triggered a tornado warning for parts of Granville county, northwestern Wake County, southeastern Durham County and Franklin County on Thursday afternoon until 4:30 p.m. The storm is likely to hit areas close to the RDU International Airport. “We want you to get inside, in the most interior room possible,” said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell. If a tornado warning is issued in your area, here…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Strong, rotating winds triggered a tornado warning for parts of Granville county, northwestern Wake County and southeastern Durham County on Thursday afternoon until 4:15 p.m. The storm is likely to hit areas close to the RDU International Airport. “We want you to get inside, in the most interior room possible,” said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell. If a tornado warning is issued in your area, here is advice…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — A tornado watch has been issued for most of central North Carolina including Wake, Durham and Johnston counties. The watch is in effect until 8 p.m. on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Areas in central and western North Carolina are under Level 2 risk for severe storms for Thursday, with damaging winds being the biggest threat. Winds could gust up to 60 mph across central…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — A tornado watch has been issued for most of central North Carolina including Wake, Durham and Johnston counties. The watch is in effect until 8 p.m. on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Areas in central and western North Carolina are under Level 2 risk for severe storms for Thursday, with damaging winds being the biggest threat. Winds could gust up to 60 mph across central…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Three tornado warnings went into effect on Thursday afternoon across central North Carolina. A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 12 miles southeast of Fayetteville, moving northeast at 70 mph at around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Officials warned that residents in the areas of Sampson County, eastern Cumberland County, Moore County and central Johnston County should take cover until 1:45 p.m. “It’s a very…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 12 miles southeast of Fayetteville, moving northeast at 70 mph at around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Officials warn residents in the areas of Sampson County, eastern Cumberland County, Moore County and central Johnston County to take cover. The tornado warning expires for those four counties at 1:45 p.m. The rotating thunderstorm will remain over rural areas of…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — A front moving in from the east will bring strong to severe storms into North Carolina on Thursday afternoon. Areas in central and western North Carolina are a Level 2 risk for severe storms, with damaging winds being the biggest threat. A tornado watch has been issued for communities south of Wake County including Sanford, Fayetteville and Lumberton. A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Cumberland,…

A line of severe storms packing isolated tornadoes and high winds ripped across the Deep South overnight killing at least two in the Florida Panhandle, toppling trees and power lines and leaving homes and businesses damaged as the vast weather front raced across several states. In Florida, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday morning that two were killed and two injured when a tornado touched down in the western Florida Panhandle. The sheriff’s office…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — After some cooler days, spring warmth returns Wednesday, but severe weather is possible by Thursday afternoon. Highs will be in the mid 60s on Wednesday. The day will be cloudy but mostly dry, with just a small chance for rain. Thursday will be warmer, with a high in the low 70s. Storms will be possible Thursday afternoon and evening, and some could become strong to severe. There…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — After a chilly start on Tuesday, temperatures will swing upwards for the week — ushering in the threat for severe weather on Thursday. Highs will be in the mid to upper 70s for Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday will be a mostly dry day, but storms will be possible Thursday afternoon and evening, and some could become strong to severe in the early evening hours. The air will…

By Kat Campbell, WRAL meteorologist On TV and online, our team of meteorologists often reference a threat for severe weather on a scale of 1 through 5 with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. Spring is the top severe weather season in NC, so it is important you understand what these threat categories mean to better assess your risk and prepare ahead of bad weather. Severe weather is officially defined as a…

By The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS — A tornado that killed a man near New Orleans this week was the metro area’s second strongest on record and left an 11.5-mile track northeast through three parishes, the National Weather Service said Thursday. Its winds hit 160 mph (257 km/h) Tuesday night in the suburban St. Bernard Parish community of Arabi, making it an EF-3 tornado, according to a preliminary report released Thursday. That put it behind…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — The National Weather Service at 8:12 a.m. canceled a tornado warning for Johnston County. A tornado warning was canceled earlier for Harnett County, where the storm appeared to be strongest, although no damage reports or indications that a tornado touched the ground were confirmed. Halifax County is under a severe thunderstorm warning until 8:30 a.m. Thursday will be a mostly cloudy day with scattered to widespread rain…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Johnston County until 8:15 a.m. Thursday. At 7:50 a.m. the system was moving 25 mph northeast, leaving Harnett County and headed toward southwestern Johnston County. People in areas north of Benson need to be alert, including near the intersection of Interstate 40 and N.C. Highway 210, according to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. There were no reports of the…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Harnett and Johnston counties until 8:15 a.m. Thursday. Specifically, the tornado warning is for eastern Harnett County and southwestern Johnson County. As of 7:22 a.m. Thursday, the NWS said a severe thunderstorm is capable of producing a tornado. It was located near Lillington, moving northeast at 25 mph. The NWS said flying debris is dangerous to those without…

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A tornado warning was issued just before 7:30 a.m. for Harnett and Johnston counties. The warning includes Erwin, Benson and Lillington until 8:15 a.m. ABC11 live coverage can be viewed in the above media player. —WEATHER FORECAST BELOW— Isolated Severe Risk Today: Additional showers and thunderstorms will develop through Thursday morning and into early afternoon along and ahead of the cold front. A few storms may become severe. Damaging winds are…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — Thursday will be a mostly cloudy day with scattered to widespread rain developing and moving through our area this morning and afternoon. While central North Carolina will see only scattered rain during the first half of the day, counties east of the Triangle are under a Level 1 risk for severe weather Thursday afternoon, where a few strong storms are possible through the evening as a cold front…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — The severe threat for central North Carolina has been dropped as air continues to stabilize but widespread showers are likely to fill back in on Thursday morning. WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell said the severe weather threat materialized close to the North Carolina mountains on Thursday night with three tornado warnings within an hour. A tornado watch was also issued for the Foothills on Wednesday night. A cold…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — A system that produced a tornado warning in parts of the Triad is heading towards the Triangle. The warning was issued for parts of Davidson, Guilford and Randolph counties until 5:15 p.m. Most of the state is under a Level 2 risk for severe weather beginning Wednesday afternoon as a system that has spawned tornadoes across the Deep South moves into the area. Scattered showers and storms…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — A system that produced a tornado warning in parts of the Triad is heading towards the Triangle. The warning was issued for parts of Davidson, Guilford and Randolph counties until 5:15 p.m. The National Weather Service said at 4:30 p.m. a thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 8 miles east of Thomasville. Most of the state is under a Level 2 risk for severe weather…

By WRAL Severe Weather Center Raleigh, N.C. — A tornado warning is in effect for parts of Davidson, Guilford and Randolph counties until 5:15 p.m. The National Weather Service said at 4:30 p.m. a thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 8 miles east of Thomasville. Most of the state is under a Level 2 risk for severe weather beginning Wednesday afternoon as a system that has spawned tornadoes across the Deep South moves…