Storms on Sunday may chase grads

Colleges make contingency plans

RALEIGH -- Forecasters are predicting a wet and stormy Mother's Day and warn that severe weather is possible as well.

"We are becoming very concerned over what we are seeing right now," said Jeff Orrock, warning coordinator for the National Weather Service's Raleigh office. "We have all the ingredients for severe storms on Sunday."

Orrock said it's not clear whether this Sunday will repeat Mother's Day 2006, when the Weather Service issued 65 warnings in one day. There were nearly 100 reports of severe weather that day, including of hail up to 2 inches around, three tornados and pockets of wind damage.

The weather Sunday could disrupt commencement ceremonies at UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University and Meredith College. Two of the schools have arranged for backup locations in case of inclement weather.

* UNC-Chapel Hill would move its 9:30 a.m. ceremonies into the Smith Center. Students and family members should check the Web site www.unc.edu/commencement to get information about department ceremonies that will be held after the main graduation program.

* Meredith College would move its 10 a.m. ceremony inside Dorton Arena at the State Fairgrounds. School officials will check the weather at 6 a.m. to determine whether to move the ceremony to the center, said spokeswoman Melyssa Allen. Students and family members should check the Meredith Web site at www.meredith.edu in the morning.

* Duke University's 10 a.m. commencement ceremony will be held at Wallace Wade Stadium if there's light rain, said spokesman Keith Lawrence. In the event of storms and lightning or any conditions that would put guests in danger, the ceremony will be canceled, said Lawrence. However, he said, diploma distribution ceremonies at various inside locations around campus will be held as scheduled.