Raleigh, North Carolina – Strong spring storms are on the way for central North Carolina, and damaging wind gusts could disrupt travel and outdoor plans by Wednesday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible from late Wednesday into Thursday evening. Areas along the I-40 and I-85 corridors—including Wake, Durham, Johnston, and Orange counties—should be on alert for wind gusts that could exceed 40 mph and localized downpours.
Wednesday will start calm, but storms will begin developing by noon and intensify through the evening hours. Rain chances peak at 80% Wednesday night, with thunder and lightning likely after 5 p.m. Thursday brings another round of unsettled spring weather, with a 50% chance of rain and continued storm potential until nightfall.
Drivers should plan for slick roads and low visibility late Wednesday. Bring in outdoor furniture, secure trash bins, and charge devices ahead of potential outages. While no official watch is active yet, more advisories may be issued Tuesday night into early Wednesday.
Here’s a look at the 5-Day Spring Weather Outlook for Raleigh:
- Wednesday: High 77°F. Showers and storms after noon.
- Wednesday Night: 80% chance of storms. Low 59°F.
- Thursday: Chance of thunderstorms continues. High near 77°F.
- Friday: Showers likely, especially before 2 p.m. High 80°F.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny with a high near 83°F.
