Forecast: Heavy winds, hail, tornadoes are possible this Sunday in central NC
Competing weather patterns creating unstable conditions across the South on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, could bring storms with gusty winds, hail and possibly tornadoes to central and Eastern North Carolina.
When and where is the risk of severe weather in NC?
Saturday: The National Weather Service says a warm front will move across Raleigh on Saturday evening. Rain chances will persist overnight, especially across the eastern half of the forecast area as a deep upper trough and cold front move into the area.
Sunday: A strong storm system is expected to affect the region, bringing windy conditions and a chance for strong or severe thunderstorms. High pressure is expected to build back in Monday.
The National Weather Service says there is a wind advisory in effect for a portion of central North Carolina, including Chatham, Wake, Johnson, Durham and Orange counties, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
South winds 15 to 25 mph are expected with gusts up to 45 mph. “Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles,” forecasters say. Use extra caution.
There’s also a hazardous weather outlook for central North Carolina, including Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, Halifax and Durham counties.
Outside of storms, things will become increasingly windy Saturday night through Sunday, with gusts of 35 to 45 mph possible, forecasters say. Damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and hail will all be possible.
Residents are strongly encouraged to stay informed Sunday and should prepare to take immediate action if a tornado warning is issued, forecasters say.
Drought: North Carolina needs the rain
As of Saturday, March 15, the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council says 99 of the state’s 100 counties are in drought or are abnormally dry.
Five counties in Eastern North Carolina are in severe drought: Carteret, Craven, Jones, Onslow and Pamlico counties. Fifty-eight counties are in moderate drought, and 36 counties are abnormally dry.
How can you get tornado alerts?
A NOAA weather radio at home is one way to stay on top of hazardous conditions. Weather apps on your smartphone, including free ones from NOAA and AccuWeather, can issue alerts for tornado warnings and watches and other hazards. Those work best when allowed to use the map function on the phone, so alerts are accurate for the owner’s current location.
How common are tornadoes in North Carolina?
Chris Collins, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Morehead City, said in a 2019 report that while North Carolina doesn’t get as many tornadoes as the Midwest, we see an average of 31 tornadoes per year.
Peak tornado season in the state is March through May, Collins said, but they can happen any time of the year.
Tornadoes have killed dozens of people in the state.
Raleigh was hit by deadly tornadoes in November 1988 and April 2011.
Chantal Allam contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 2:18 PM.
