Flood Watch in effect through Thursday

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- It's a First Alert Day for the threat of heavy rain tonight and Thursday.

A Flood Watch is in effect for our entire viewing area through Thursday as the risk for flooding continues to increase.

Many locations could pick up 2 to 4 inches of rain, and with the ground already saturated in some areas, flooding is becoming a growing concern.

Tropical Storm Bertha, currently near New Orleans, is funneling deep tropical moisture into the Carolinas. That moisture will interact with a slow-moving front, leading to widespread showers and thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall.

The front may settle south of the Triangle by Friday, which could help reduce rainfall totals for some communities. However, it will remain close enough to keep the flooding threat in place, especially across the Sandhills.

Rain chances will be lower this weekend, but with the front expected to stall near the South Carolina border, we'll still keep a few showers in the forecast.

Have a good evening!

Steve Stewart