Raleigh, North Carolina – Residents across Raleigh are bracing for another round of strong thunderstorms late Thursday into Friday night, with the potential for downed trees, power outages, and flooding in low-lying neighborhoods.
According to the National Weather Service, showers and thunderstorms are expected to ramp up after midnight Thursday and continue through Friday evening, bringing a 60% chance of rain and the risk of lightning, heavy downpours, and localized flooding. Most of the Triangle—including Raleigh, Cary, and Garner—could see storms intensify during the Friday afternoon commute. Rainfall amounts may reach up to half an inch, with higher totals possible where thunderstorms persist.
Travelers on I-40, US-1, and NC-401 should anticipate wet pavement and reduced visibility during peak hours. Residents are urged to secure outdoor objects, check flashlights and mobile chargers, and avoid flooded roadways. Duke Energy crews are on standby for possible power interruptions, especially in storm-prone neighborhoods.
This unsettled pattern marks one of the most active starts to August in recent years, echoing the deluges that swamped Wake County in August 2021. The weather threat should ease Saturday afternoon, but additional storms are possible through midweek.
Stay tuned for updates as advisories may change rapidly with evolving conditions.
Five Day Raleigh Weather Outlook:
- Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, especially after 3pm. High near 87°F. Rainfall up to 0.5 inch.
- Saturday: Slight chance of showers before 8am, then partly sunny and humid. High near 82°F.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, less humid. High near 83°F.
- Monday: Mostly sunny and warmer. High near 86°F.
- Tuesday: Chance of afternoon showers and storms. High near 84°F.
