Raleigh area under a flood watch. Here’s when the rain will start + how much is expected
The Raleigh area will experience heavy rain at the end of this week, likely beginning Thursday overnight and stretching into early Saturday. Triangle counties are under a flood watch with all the anticipated rainfall.
Urban areas in Raleigh, Durham and surrounding towns are expected to receive the most rain and have the highest risk for flash flooding, and some small pockets may experience extra heavy rainfall even up to four inches, said Nick Luchetti, meteorologist with National Weather Service Raleigh.
“The environment is so juicy that we can see heavy precipitation and flash flooding, especially in urban areas. East of US Hwy 1 could experience flooding into Friday afternoon, but it’ll pull out by Saturday,” he said.
How much rain will Raleigh/Durham get this weekend?
Radars show the Raleigh area could receive between a quarter-inch and four inches of rain, though those are extremes.
It’s likely to be around two inches total. Towns farther east could experience more like three inches, and the western edge of the Triangle (closer to Winston-Salem) could even stay completely dry.
When will it start raining in Raleigh/Durham?
Rain should start very early morning Friday, around 4 a.m. right before sunrise. It will continue into Friday afternoon then move toward the northeast by Saturday morning.
Flood watch issued for Triangle counties
A flood watch is in effect for Triangle counties from Thursday 12 a.m. to Friday 12 a.m.
NWS Raleigh issued the alert Thursday afternoon, advising “flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.” Excessive runoff can cause rivers, creeks, streams and other flood-prone locations to flood. Alert Durham sent the message to its recipients.
Raleigh/Durham weather forecast
Here are NWS Raleigh’s weather predictions through the weekend (as of Thursday afternoon):
Thursday
Day: Mostly cloudy with a high near 92.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday
Day: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 83. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy with a low around 73. Light south wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday
Day: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Partly sunny with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday
Day: Mostly sunny with a high near 96.
Night: Mostly clear with a low around 75.
Find up-to-date forecasts and weather information at weather.gov/rah.
