Here’s the latest timeline for arrival of storm front in the Triangle, NWS says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- NWS warns Triangle faces 45–60% chance of widespread damaging winds today.
- Line of thunderstorms expected to reach Triangle early afternoon, about 1-4 p.m.
- Residents urged to know shelter locations and use multiple alert methods immediately.
Much of North Carolina, including the Triangle, has an increased risk of damaging winds and possible tornadoes on Monday, March 16.
Central North Carolina has a 45-60% probability of widespread damaging winds, with some reaching up to 74 mph, and there’s a risk of some brief but significant tornados. Wake, Durham, Orange, Chatham and Lee counties are under a tornado watch until 2 p.m., and several triangle schools closed due to the risk of severe weather.
Storm timeline
The greatest threat for damaging winds and tornados will be as the line of thunderstorms makes its way across the state, moving quickly across central North Carolina.
The band of severe thunderstorms, with the risk of damaging winds, is expected to hit the western part of the Triangle by noon, moving quickly and hitting Wake County around 12:30 p.m.
“Probably the most intense part of the line would last half an hour or so, but then there will be some rain behind that that could still have some lightening,” said James Danco, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
Rain forecast
The Triangle has already seen some rain Monday morning, and there is a chance for “supercells,” a rare type of thunderstorm, ahead of the line of thunderstorms. Those supercells are a risk for the Triangle in the morning hours until about noon or 1 p.m.
Triangle residents are urged to know where to seek shelter in case of a tornado and to have multiple ways to get weather alerts.
“These storms can be difficult to predict, and they can pop up quickly and they’re going to be moving very fast,” Danco said. “So there may not be a lot of time for people to see shelter when one is approaching or something pops up.”
Portions of this story were previously published in The News & Observer.
This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 10:26 AM.
