Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Looking for rain?

A few isolated thunderstorms the last several days have helped the grass look a little greener in some neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the rain showers and thunderstorms have not been widespread. With the abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions in our part of North Carolina, we could all use a good soaking rain.

A few isolated thunderstorms are developing again this afternoon, but once again, not all of us will see beneficial rains from these showers and storms. The news is a little better for a soaking rain by late Friday and Saturday. A slow moving cold front will move toward the state. Ahead of the front, we look for showers and storms to develop Friday afternoon. These showers and storms should be more widespread and the chance for rain will continue into Saturday. If everything pans out as expected now, many of us could see at least an inch of rain.

The front will bring lower humidity and comfortable weather for the end of the weekend. The heat and humidity will likely return by July 4th. The chances for rain for the first half of July don't look that good though. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service Office in Raleigh e-mailed us the latest 8-14 day outlook for precipitation and their thoughts on the outlook for the first half of July. The news isn't too good for the drought, as the outlook for the first week or two of July is to be drier than normal.


Let's hope we can get some beneficial rains from the front that will move our way late this week and early in the weekend. We'll keep an eye on things. While the front may bring needed rain, some storms associated with the system could be on the strong side. Stay tuned to Weather on the Ones on News 14 Carolina for the latest!

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Latest on the Drought...


The weekly update on the drought status is North Carolina was released today, but you'll probably notice there were no big changes. The Triangle and Triad remain "abnormally dry" while the Sandhills remain under a moderate drought. The dry conditions are worse in the mountains where an extreme drought is noted in the western most part of the state.

For more on the drought, visit http://www.ncdrought.org/.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Brief Break from the Heat

We're enjoying a brief break from the heat of earlier this week. A front moving through the state today bringing clouds and a few showers is helping to keep our temperatures a little cooler today. The mid to upper 80s will likely return for Thursday with the 90s on the way for Friday and the weekend.

Here's a look at back at highs from around the region on Tuesday --
  • Goldsboro: 99
  • Raleigh-Durham: 97
  • Rocky Mount-Wilson: 96
  • Fayetteville: 95
  • Henderson-Oxford: 95
  • Chapel Hill: 94
  • Lumberton: 94
  • Laurinburg-Maxton: 93
  • Southern Pines: 93
  • Winston-Salem: 92
  • Asheboro: 90

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Hot! Hot! Hot!

It's not summer officially just yet, but it certainly feels like it again today. For the second day in a row, temperatures are soaring toward the mid 90s. It's also another Code Orange Ozone Action Day in the Triangle, the Triad, and the Charlotte metro area.

Here's a look back at highs around our area from Monday --
  • Erwin/Dunn: 99
  • Greensboro: 97
  • Goldsboro: 97
  • Southern Pines: 97
  • Fayetteville: 96
  • Laurinburg-Maxton: 96
  • Raleigh-Durham: 96
  • Rocky Mount-Wilson: 96
  • Chapel Hill: 95
  • Henderson-Oxford: 95
  • Burlington: 94
  • Lumberton: 94
  • Winston-Salem: 93
  • Asheboro: 91

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Ozone Action Day for Monday

High pressure building over North Carolina will make for a very hot day Monday. The hot day along with light winds will trap pollution in the lowest levels of the atmosphere. That could make for a poor air quality day, so the North Carolina Division of Air Quality has issued a Code Orange Action day for the Triangle, the Triad, and the Charlotte area. A Code Orange day means people with respiratory problems should limit their time spent outside especially during the hottest part of the day.

There are some things you can do to reduce the air pollution tomorrow. Limiting your driving and carpooling will help to reduce vehicle emissions. Waiting until after dusk tomorrow evening to refuel your car or truck will help also.

Click these links for more information on ozone pollution and how you can help reduce air pollution in North Carolina --

Thursday, June 14, 2007

One Year Since Alberto



Thursday marks one year since the remnants of Tropical Storm Alberto flooded parts of Raleigh. Take a look back at the storm that caused Crabtree Creek to flood by clicking this link to a storm summary from the National Weather Service office in Raleigh --

Wednesday's Storms

Scattered strong thunderstorms developed up and down the east coast again Wednesday afternoon. The above image shows various severe weather reports received by the National Weather Service. The blue dot indicate reports of large hail and the green dots represent wind damage reports.

In the News 14 Carolina viewing area here's a look back at severe weather reports from Wednesday --



  • 12:45pm -- News 14 Carolina viewer reported 0.25" to 0.5" size hail near the Cary/Apex line.
  • 12:55pm -- Penny size hail reported at Knightsplay Gold Course in Apex.
  • 12:55pm -- Half inch size hail reported in Harnett County near Lillington.
  • 1:20pm -- Penny size hail reported near New Hope Church Road and Yates Store Road in eastern Chatham County.
  • 1:58pm -- Nickel size hail reported near Lillington in Harnett County.
  • 2:43pm -- Penny size hail reported just north-northeast of Eastover in Cumberland County.
  • 3:01pm -- Penny size hail reported near Hope Mills Golf Course in Cumberland County.
  • 3:17pm -- Penny to nickel size hail reported covering the ground in Lumberton.
  • 3:20pm -- Hail to the size of "large pecans" reported on 5th street in Lumberton.
  • 4:03pm -- Penny size hail reported near McCain on Highway 211 in Hoke County.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible in parts of North Carolina again Thursday. Cloudy skies through the day will limit the chance for strong storms over the Triangle and Sandhills. We will likely just look for cloudy conditions with a few showers possible. The greatest risk of strong storms will come from near Charlotte to the west and south. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed that area under a slight risk for severe weather:

The unsettled weather pattern looks to continue into the weekend. That will keep skies cloudy for Friday with a few showers possible. It appears the risk for strong storms will again come south of the Triangle. As of Thursday afternoon, the SPC has parts of South Carolina outlined under a slight risk for severe weather.

More sun should return for Saturday but a few afternoon thunderstorms could pop up. As of Thursday afternoon, the SPC has central and eastern North Carolina outlined for a slight risk for severe weather.

The chances for showers and storms should diminish by Father's Day. Sunday will bring mostly sunny skies with highs back to the 90s. We'll continue to fine tune the forecast into the weekend over the next couple of days. For the latest on the severe weather risk, you can visit the Storm Prediction Center's website at http://www.spc.noaa.gov/, and stay tuned to Weather on the Ones on News 14 Carolina!

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Saturday's Storms




Saturday was a stormy evening in parts of the Triangle as a few isolated severe storms pounded the area with rain, hail, gusty winds, and frequent lightning. The above pictures were taken by Chief Meteorologist Gary Stephenson as the storm clouds rolled into Wake County Saturday evening.

The storms did not produce widespread damage, but there were a few reports of downed trees and hail. Gary also took these photos of trees down along Carpenter Pond Road in eastern Durham County. The trees also brought down utility poles knocking out power in the area for around 12 hours.




Here's a rundown of severe weather reports passed along by the National Weather Service --

  • 8:10pm -- Quarter size hail reported in Berea in Granville County
  • 9:00pm -- Quarter size hail reported south of Butner in Granville County
  • 9:10pm -- Trees down across Kemp Road in eastern Durham County
  • 9:10pm -- Penny size hail reported near Norwood Road and Mount Vernon Road northwest of Raleigh in Wake County
  • 9:10pm -- Trees down in the Stony Hill area of Wake County
  • 9:15pm -- Tree down across Old Erwin Road in eastern Durham County
  • 9:20pm -- Tree down across Carpenter Road in eastern Durham County
  • 9:25pm -- Tree down across Cornwallis Road in eastern Durham County
  • 9:45pm -- Nickel size hail reported near I-40 west-northwest of Parkwood in Durham County

News 14 Carolina viewers also passed along reports of hail, gusty winds, and frequent lightning from the storms. If you ever see severe weather of have weather pictures, you can send us an e-mail anytime to weather@news14.com.

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Friday's Heat

Friday was the hottest day so far this year in most places around central North Carolina. Here's a look back at high temperatures for selected locations around our region --
  • Erwin/Dunn: 97
  • Lumberton: 97
  • Southern Pines: 97
  • Fayetteville: 96
  • Laurinburg-Maxton: 96
  • Raleigh-Durham: 96
  • Henderson-Oxford: 95
  • Chapel Hill: 94
  • Rocky Mount-Wilson: 94
  • Burlington: 93
  • Louisburg: 93
  • Winston-Salem: 92
  • Asheboro: 91
  • Greensboro: 91
  • Lexington: 90
  • Mount Airy: 90

Not only was Friday afternoon hot, the day started off on the warm side. Record high minimum temperatures were set in the Triangle and in the Triad. Friday's low of 73 at the Raleigh-Durham Airport broke the old record of 72 set in 1947. At the Piedmont Triad Airport in Greensboro, Friday's low of 72 broke the old record of 71 set in 1953 and 1952.

Friday, June 08, 2007

Summer Heat

The heat is on in North Carolina! Highs reached the low to mid 90s Thursday and the mid to upper 90s are possible Friday afternoon.

Here's a look back at highs around the region from Thursday --
  • Fayetteville: 96
  • Goldsboro: 95
  • Laurinburg-Maxton: 94
  • Lumberton: 94
  • Raleigh-Durham: 94
  • Erwin-Dunn: 93
  • Southern Pines: 93
  • Rocky Mount-Wilson: 92
  • Louisburg: 91
  • Chapel Hill: 90
  • Henderson-Oxford: 88

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Drought Update



An update on the drought status across North Carolina was released today, and the news is a little better for the Triangle. The moderate drought has been downgraded to "abnormally dry" conditions in the Triangle and much of eastern North Carolina. The moderate drought continues in the Sandhills and Piedmont. The mountains continue under a severe to extreme drought.
Soaking rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry over the weekend helped some in the eastern part of the state. However, more rain is needed.
Here's a look at year to date rainfall deficits for select locations in the state as of Thursday:
  • Lumberton: -10.26"
  • Asheville: -9.39"
  • Elizabeth City: -8.21"
  • Wilmington: -7.74"
  • Cape Hatteras: -5.54"
  • Charlotte: -3.57"
  • New Bern: -3.45"
  • Greensboro: -3.26"
  • Raleigh-Durham: -3.20"

Unfortunately, our chances for a good soaking rain over the next several days do not look good. A few scattered late day thunderstorms are possible Saturday.

Hot Here Today; Strong Storms near the Great Lakes

Around here, the big weather story is the heat as highs climb into the 90s.

Nationwide, the big weather story today is the likelihood for severe storms in the western Great Lakes region this afternoon and evening. The Storm Prediction Center (www.spc.noaa.gov) has issued a "high risk" for severe weather in that part of the country today.

A "high risk" for severe storm is not issued often, and when it is we typically see it across the Plains in tornado alley. It is rare to see a high risk in Wisconsin, but thunderstorms producing damaging winds are likely in there this afternoon with a few tornadoes also a possibility. You can read more about the severe weather threat by visiting www.spc.noaa.gov.

Here in North Carolina, there's no threat for severe storms -- just high heat. If you're spending some time outdoors today, don't forget those simple summer safety rules. Dress for the hot weather and drink plenty of water. Our hot weather with highs in the 90s should continue through the first of the weekend. A cold front is expected to move through the state Saturday. That should drop our highs back to the 80s for Sunday and the first of next week.

Stay tuned to Weather on the Ones on News 14 Carolina for updates on the heat.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Heating Up....

The hottest weather of the year is on the way for the end of the week. So far this year, the warmest temperature we've recorded at the Raleigh-Durham Airport was 92 on May 1 and May 29. We should beat that both Thursday and Friday when afternoon temperatures are forecast to top out in the mid 90s. The upper 90s are possible Friday. It may even feel more like 100 or 105 when you factor in the humidity.

It is a little early to be talking about temperatures this warm. The average highs this time of year are in the mid 80s. We may come close to a record high Thursday, but should fall just short. Thursday's record is 96, and Friday's record of 100 should be safe.

Thankfully, slightly cooler temperatures will be on the way by the second half of the weekend. Highs in the 80s are expected for Sunday and the first of next week.

Monday, June 04, 2007

Weekend Rain

The remnants of Barry were a welcome sight in North Carolina bringing soaking rains to many spots over the weekend. Here's a look back at rain totals by county as reported by the National Weather Service --

Alamance County
  • Burlington: 1.02"
  • Graham: 1.08"

Chatham County

  • Wilsonville: 1.61"

Cumberland County

  • Fort Bragg: 1.34"
  • Pope Air Force Base: 1.26"
  • Fayetteville Regional Airport: 1.17"

Davidson County

  • Lexington: 0.80"

Edgecombe County

  • Tarboro: 1.99"

Forsyth County

  • Winston-Salem: 1.36"

Durham County

  • Durham: 1.33"

Franklin County

  • Louisburg: 1.30"
  • Pilot: 1.75"

Guilford County

  • Greensboro: 1.04"

Harnett County

  • Erwin/Dunn: 1.39"

Johnston County

  • Smithfield: 1.39"

Moore County

  • Southern Pines: 1.47"

Nash County

  • Rocky Mount: 2.24"

Orange County

  • Chapel Hill: 1.41"

Scotland County

  • Laurinburg: 1.57"

Vance County

  • Henderson: 1.89"

Wake County

  • Apex: 1.49"
  • Cary: 1.30"
  • Fuquay-Varina: 3.73"
  • Holly Springs: 2.05"
  • NCSU Centinnial Campus: 1.68"
  • North Raleigh: 1.05"
  • Northeast Raleigh: 3.07"
  • RDU Airport (Morrisville): 1.66"

Wayne County

  • Seymour Johnson Air Force Base: 2.25"
  • Goldboro Airport: 2.25"

Wilson County

  • Wilson: 2.11"

It does not appear that we have a chance for any more soaking rains over the next few days. Our only rain chances will come in the form of very isolated late day showers or storms Tuesday and Wednesday.

Even the chance for a late day pop-up storm will diminish toward the end of the week as temperatures warm into the mid 90s. Late day rain chances should return over the weekend.