Raleigh, N.C. – More than 7 million people across North Carolina and southern Virginia are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 11 p.m. Friday, with threats of damaging wind, hail, and dangerous lightning.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, storms capable of producing wind gusts up to 70 mph and quarter-sized hail are expected to sweep through parts of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. The watch includes major cities such as Raleigh, Greenville, Winston-Salem, Richmond, and Virginia Beach.
The storms could bring scattered power outages, fallen trees, and difficult travel along interstates like I-40, I-85, and I-95. Outdoor plans and evening school events may be disrupted, especially where lightning strikes are more frequent.
Counties from Roanoke to Kill Devil Hills are urged to monitor local alerts and take shelter indoors as storms approach. Residents should avoid unnecessary travel, secure loose outdoor items, and charge devices in case of outages.
The watch area spans 1,876 schools and 114 hospitals, increasing the need for caution across both urban and rural communities. Additional warnings may be issued later this evening if conditions worsen.
