Strong Storms Possible Today

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Today is a First Alert Day.

Temperatures have stayed in the upper 60s through the night, and with strong warm air advection occurring out ahead of the ongoing rain and storms near the Appalachians, temperatures will likely stagnate and slowly climb this morning into the midday into the low to mid 70s.Gusty winds have already begun this morning and will continue throughout the day as the pressure gradient tightens, leading to gusts of 35-45mph at times.

The main line of thunderstorms is expected to intensify with marginal instability out ahead of it. This line will begin moving across the Triangle during the late morning and early afternoon and is expected to be strong to severe, withdamaging wind gusts, flash flooding, and even an isolated tornado possible.

Storms will begin to train during the late afternoon into the overnight as the initial frontal boundary slows along the coast. This will transition to more showers and thunderstorms losing their severity across mainly eastern portions of the viewing area, which will completely move offshore before dawn tomorrow.

Looking ahead

Lows will only drop into the low 50s tonight as the secondary cold front passes a bit later Monday morning. This will hamper highs tomorrow into the low 60s despite the otherwise increasing sun, just about average this time of year. It will also be noticeably less humid with drier air in place. With clear skies and high pressure building in the cooler airmass will take full effect tomorrow night as lows bottom out in the upper 30s.

High pressure will move in Tuesday along with good southerly flow, allowing highs to jump back into the low 70s during the afternoon under continued sunny skies. Another storm will begin swinging across the central US on Wednesday.

This storm will trek eastward overnight Wednesday into Thursday, enabling the cold front to cross the Appalachians and traverse the Triangle later Thursday. Highs will be cut short from their potential during the afternoon, likely only reaching into the low 70s before the front crosses and cools things off once more. As of now this front looks decently moisture starved, but an isolated shower along the front still seems plausible at this point.

Have a great day!
Steve Stewart