Weather alert issued for the Piedmont region until 1 a.m. Thursday, says the NWS

The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom. Read more on our AI policy here.

A report was issued from the NWS Raleigh NC on Thursday at 12:48 a.m. for gusty winds until 1:45 a.m. The alert is for Chatham, Wake, Johnston and Harnett counties.

Residents can look for wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

"At 12:47 a.m., Doppler radar tracked a heavy downpour 7 miles west of Fuquay-Varina, or 13 miles southwest of Cary, moving east at 45 mph," explains the NWS. "Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects."

Locations impacted by the alert include Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton, Zebulon, Angier, Apex, Holly Springs and Knightdale. This includes the following highways: Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 288 and 314. Interstate 440 between Mile Markers 1 and 16. Interstate 540 between Mile Markers 14 and 24. US 1 between Mile Markers 84 and 101. NC Highway 264 between Mile Markers 20 and 22.

The NWS comments, "If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Boaters on the open water and those camping outdoors are especially vulnerable to the dangers of lightning. Seek harbor immediately and find safe shelter in a nearby building or vehicle."

This alert is in effect until 1:45 a.m.

Source: The National Weather Service

United Robots North Carolina

This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 12:51 AM.