Tornado watch in effect in Raleigh area as strong storms are set to move through
Most of central North Carolina — including the Triangle — could see severe storms today, with many areas under a tornado watch in effect until 8 p.m. Friday, May 30.
The storms could bring large hail, heavy rain and damaging wind gusts.
The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the next few days as a series of weather systems creates instability. A mid- and upper-level disturbance will move across North and South Carolina Thursday afternoon and evening, and a low-pressure system will strengthen across the Ohio Valley Thursday night, meteorologists say. That will move across the Middle Atlantic region Friday and Friday night, at the same time a strong cold front will move across the Carolinas.
Here’s when forecasters say to be on alert.
Tornado watch in effect Friday
Severe thunderstorms are expected Friday afternoon and evening. Large hail and damaging wind gusts are the main hazards, says the National Weather Service in Raleigh, but “an isolated tornado or two will also be possible.”
The hazardous weather outlook issued on Friday is for central North Carolina, including the following counties: Wake, Durham, Orange, Chatham, Person, Granville, Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, Davidson and Randolph.
Wind gusts of up to 18 mph should be expected Friday night, and they could be higher in storms.
The chance of rain will drop after 11 p.m., but some areas could see rainfall totals of up to three-fourths of an inch on Friday, forecasters say.
Storms will be over the Interstate 95 corridor in the late afternoon Friday and into Friday night, the Weather Service says.
Overnight, skies are expected to clear across the region.
Scattered storms on Saturday
A few storms with small hail are possible Saturday afternoon, forecasters say, over the same central N.C. area, but sunny skies are expected otherwise.
This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 2:56 PM.
