Dangerous winds, tornadoes, hail possible through afternoon, evening on Thursday

By Elizabeth Gardner and Aimee Wilmoth, WRAL meteorologists Central North Carolina could wake up to rain Thursday, and by early evening dangerous weather is in the forecast. Most of the area is under a Level 3, or enhanced, risk for severe weather. That means there is the likelihood of storms that could pack damaging winds, hail and at least the threat of tornadoes, according to WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth. “It could be a good soaker,”…

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Pilots aboard Hurricane Hunter plane chasing a winter storm experience strange phenomenon

An experienced hurricane hunting crew chasing a winter storm came across a far different discovery this past weekend. In what is know as St. Elmo’s fire, footage of the forking electric discharge was captured on Saturday by pilots as the spectacle flashed throughout the cockpit. The video, captured by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aircraft Operations Center (AOC), was taken as pilots flew across the Atlantic Ocean amid thunderstorms. NOAA deployed the hunters…

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Beach by beach: How the Carolina coast is faring after Florence

Updated 11 a.m. Sunday The heavy rain associated with Florence began moving inland Sunday, allowing authorities in many — but not all — coastal areas to begin damage assessment and cleanup. Generally, areas north of Oregon Inlet on the Outer Banks and south of Myrtle Beach escaped relatively untouched. Evacuation orders on the beaches in South Carolina ended at 9 a.m. Sunday. Residents and would-be visitors are reminded that many areas of North Carolina are…

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