Weekend Storm Photos

Lightning over Lake Crabtree Saturday night. Photo from Michelle Vassar.

Apex storm clouds on Sunday. Photo submitted by Shawn Creek.

Garner storm clouds near Highway 70. Photo submitted by Bryan Lassiter.

Storm clouds taken near Duraleigh Road in Raleigh on Sunday. Photo submitted by Kenneth Linn.

Storm clouds over Brier Creek in Raleigh on Sunday. Photo submitted by John.

Heavy rains and wind Sunday in Durham near North Carolina Central University.

Storm clouds over Hillendale Golf Course in Durham on Sunday. Photo submitted by Wendell Hull.

We're likely to see scenes similar to these over the next couple of days. Afternoon showers and storms are in the forecast again for Monday and Tuesday. If severe weather happens in your area, you can send us your reports and photos when it is safe to so to weather@news14.com.

A Stormy Forecast to End the Holiday Weekend

(photos courtesy Adam Azman)

Storm Damage from july 4th in Chapel Hill and Heavy Rain as it pours Saturday off the roof and outside a window in Durham near MLK and Fayetteville road.

First of all, a huge thank you to all of our viewers who took time out of their holiday weekend to mail us either photos or storm reports. Its one thing to see a storm on radar but it is another thing to get verification from our viewers about what is happening (or in some cases in severe weather, what happened after the storm passed). Please remember that if a storms is occuring in your area, your safety comes first; a picture can wait, a report can wait.

We have another possibility of storms this Sunday afternoon as we bring our holiday weekend to a close. Storms this afternoon and evening could again contain fewquent lightning, torrential downpours and gusty winds. There is also a possibilty for small hail, but our main threats will be the rain, lightning and wind today.

We also have the Tropics In our sights. Tropical Storm Bertha has a track (for now) toward the SE United States. The current forecast track is below but please also note that there is a wide margin of error (the "cone" area surrounding the main forecast track) which means that the storm track could move anywhere in time along that curve. Bertha is expected to reach hurricane strength by early next week and could either curve to the north over time or maintain a more southerly track. Either way, Your Weather on the Ones forecast team will keep you posted on the storm's progress.

Weekend Storms.... Watching Bertha

Friday evening storms spoiled 4th of July plans for some folks including fireworks displays across the Triangle. Mother Nature provided her own fireworks in the form of vivid lightning across the region. A News 14 Carolina viewer in Cary captured the above lightning photo over Lake Crabtree Friday night.

Fast forward to Saturday.... thunderstorms are again creating frequent lightning, gusty winds, and heavy rain in some parts of our area. And, it looks like we may do it all over again Sunday afternoon and evening.

As we look toward next weekend, at least an isolated afternoon storm will be possible each day. Then, we'll have to keep close tabs on Bertha. As of Saturday evening, the National Hurricane Center was forecasting Bertha to become a hurricane by the middle of the week as the storm moves to the west and west-northwest across the Atlantic.

Stay tuned for our tropical updates at :21 after the hour on News 14 Carolina!

4th of July Weekend

We certainly hope you are enjoying your Independence Day weekend. As you make outdoor plans, keep in mind scattered thunderstorms are in the forecast during the afternoons especially for Saturday and Sunday. When you need a weather update, we'll be here with your latest forecast every 10 minutes with Weather on the Ones only on News 14 Carolina.

As :21 after the hour, you'll also find your tropical update. We'll be tracking Tropical Storm Bertha through the weekend. The storm should continue a west-northwest track across the open Atlantic and will not be a threat to land over the next three to five days.

Drought severity increases for Triangle, Sandhills areas

The U.S. Drought Monitor map has been updated for this week. The Triangle and Sandhills areas have been moved into the "severe" drought category, which is a category higher in drought intensity than it was last week. The Goldsboro / Wilson areas remain in a "moderate" drought level for yet another week.

The "severe" intensity level had the largest increase this week as there are now 61.9 counties at that level in North Carolina. Last week 48.6 counties were classified as severe .

For yet another week the highest level of drought , "exceptional" drought, has existed in the southwest portion of our state. Just over 6 counties are in the highest drought classification. At the start of our 2008 calendar year we had 51 counties in that classification. One year ago on this date we had no counties in the exceptional drought status, 3 counties in extreme drought, 10 counties in severe drought and 53 counties in moderate drought.

Second Named Storm forms in Atlantic Basin

Tropical Storm Bertha Formed this morning 190 miles SSW of the Cape Verde Islands. The storm is moving WNW at about 14 miles per hour with current (as of 11 am update) sustained winds of 40 miles an hour. Some strengthening is possible over the next 24-48 hours. The storm is not a threat to the US mainland through the mid week forecast period. The next update from the National Hurricane Center will be at about 5 pm Eastern time. For more information, here is the link to the National Hurricane Center:http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Here's Bertha....

Tropical Depression #2 has strengthened into Tropical Storm Bertha this morning. The system will not be a threat to land for at least the next 5 days. Stay tuned for the latest on Bertha with our tropical updates at :21 after the hour on News 14 Carolina.

Tropical Depression #2 is Born

Tropical Depression #2 formed early Thursday morning just off the coast of Africa. The depression could become Tropical Storm Bertha later in the day.

North Carolina has had a visit from a storm named Bertha before. Hurricane Bertha made landfall along our coast in July 1996. It is interesting to note that Bertha formed on the first week of July in 1996 in a similar area to today's Tropical Depression #2. Even though there are some similarities there, that does not mean the steering currents over the Atlantic will be the same as they were in July 1996. It is much too early to say where this system will go past 3 to 5 days. It is possible the storm could remain out to sea and never affect land, but it should still be closely monitored. Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina for the latest in our tropical updates at :21 after the hour.

Could a tropical depression be forming?

The National Hurricane Center continues to watch the area of thunderstorms that moved off the coast of Africa yesterday. There is the possibility this tropical wave could develop into a tropical depression over the next day or two. For more on what's happening in the tropics today, check this morning's video blog posted below...

Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina for the latest tropical updates at :21 after the hour...

Watching the Tropics...

So far, the 2008 hurricane season has been pretty uneventful. Sure, the season actually started early when Tropical Storm Arthur formed the day before the season officially started on June 1. Since then, the tropics have been quiet. That is not too unusual for June. The peak of hurricane season typically does not come until September.

However, there are a few things to note in the tropics this first day of July including a tropical wave that is just now moving off the coast of Africa.

Several computer models attempt to develop this wave into a tropical system over the coming days, and conditions over that part of the Atlantic do appear somewhat favorable for slow development.

I have more on that tropical wave and another area of interest in this morning's video blog update posted below...

Hot June

According to information from the National Weather Service in Raleigh, June 2008 will go down as the hottest June on record at the Raleigh-Durham Airport. It will be the second hottest on record for the Raleigh area. The hottest June in the Raleigh area was in 1952 at a weather observation station located at NC State University.

Summer Heat.... Summer Storms?

Here's a look back at high temperatures from around the region from Thursday:

• Erwin: 100
• Goldsboro: 99
• Henderson-Oxford: 99
• Southern Pines: 99
• Chapel Hill: 97
• Fayetteville: 97
• Louisburg: 97
• Raleigh-Durham: 97
• Smithfield: 97
• Laurinburg: 95
• Lumberton: 95
• Rocky Mount-Wilson: 95

We expect to see highs back into the mid 90s today and Saturday. Factor in the humidity, and it will feel more like 100. A few afternoon thunderstorms will be possible the next couple of days, but the greatest chance for more widespread storms looks to come on Sunday. The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of the Carolinas under the slight risk for severe weather on Sunday.

A few of the afternoon storms over the weekend could produce damaging winds and hail. Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina for Weather on the Ones updates through the weekend for the latest.

Heat Continues, Drought Continues....

Today should be the hottest of the week with highs in the upper 90s to near 100 -- just above highs from Wednesday. Here's a look at highs from yesterday around the region:

• Southern Pines: 97
• Goldsboro: 96
• Laurinburg: 96
• Erwin: 95
• Fayetteville: 95
• Henderson-Oxford: 95
• Raleigh-Durham: 95
• Lumberton: 94
• Louisburg: 93
• Rocky Mount-Wilson: 93
• Smithfield: 93

When it comes to the drought, there has been no change over the last week despite receiving some heavy thunderstorms over the weekend.

Moderate drought conditions continue in the eastern part of the state with a severe drought from the western side of the Triangle through the Triad. Parts of western North Carolina are in an extreme to exceptional drought.

The Heat is On

Afternoon temperatures will continue to soar into the 90s for the next several days, and the triple digits look to be more obtainable on Thursday than previously thought. As of Tuesday, the Raleigh-Durham Airport has hit a high of 90 or higher 16 days this month. Compare that to 13 days of 90 degree days in June of last year, 8 days in June 2006, 12 days in June 2005, and 9 days in June 2004.

Thursday should be the hottest day of the week with highs in the upper 90s to near 100. The record high for Thursday stands at 102 set in 1952.

Heating up....

News 14 Carolina meteorologist Joshua McKinney has been very busy the last several afternoons tracking thunderstorms across North Carolina. It looks like we'll get a break from tracking storms the next couple of days. Instead, we'll be tracking the temperature upwards the next few afternoons. The mid to upper 90s will be possible by Thursday. At least it will not be quite as hot as earlier this month. We should stay away from the triple digits this week.

Scattered thunderstorms will return to the forecast by the weekend. Stay tuned to Weather on the Ones and News 14 Carolina...

More Storms for Monday

After a weekend featuring afternoon thunderstorms, we can look for more of the same on Monday. A few of the storms over the weekend were strong with heavy downpours, damaging winds, and hail.

Here's a look at storm reports from Saturday....

and from Sunday....

We again see some strong storms again today. The Storm Prediction Center has outlined most of the Carolinas for a slight risk for severe weather.

The greatest threat from the storms today will be from damaging winds, hail, and again some localized heavy downpours. Today's storms will be scattered across the area meaning not everyone will see the heavy rain. For example, over the weekend the Raleigh-Durham Airport recorded over 2 inches of rain from Saturday and Sunday while Wilson saw less than 0.10" of rain.

Stay tuned to Weather on the Ones and News 14 Carolina through the afternoon and evening for the latest updates. If storms occur in your neighborhood, you can send your storm reports and photos to weather@news14.com.

A return to seasonal temperatures this week

**Flash Flood Warning This morning until 10:30 for Fayetteville, Cumberland county**


Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, especially south and east of the Triangle.
Highs in the upper 80s.
Cloudy with storms ending tonight.
Lows near 70. Variable clouds Monday with a chance for showers and storms later in the day. Highs near 90.

This week our weather pattern changes. I'm sure you remember the triple-digit heat we had just recently. That was due to a ridge of high pressure not only at the surface, but at higher levels of the atmosphere. That was a perfect pattern for a heat wave as not only did downward-moving air compress and heat up, but upper-level ridges mean that cooler air masses are kept at bay. We have been in a transition pattern, and will see a cooler pattern this coming week as a surface cold front brings more seasonal temperatures (mid to upper 80s are the 'normal' highs for this week). This will be accompanied by an upper level trough which will support these temperatures and perhaps keep a cloud or two overhead from time to time.

Heavy Rains Produce Flash Flooding in our Area this Morning

From the National Weather Service, Raleigh:



732 AM EDT SUN JUN 15 2008
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH HAS ISSUED A
* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
* UNTIL 1030 AM EDT
* AT 723 AM EDT... FLASH FLOODING IN CENTRAL CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
* LOCATIONS THREATENED WITH FLOODING INCLUDE FAYETTEVILLE.
PUBLIC REPORTS HAVE RELAYED TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER THAT CROSS CREEK
IN DOWNTOWN FAYETTEVILLE HAS OVERFLOWED THE BANKS...RESULTING IN
APPROXIMATELY 1 FOOT OF SWIFTLY FLOWING WATER ON RAY AVENUE.
ALTHOUGH THE HEAVIER RAINS HAVE MOVED EAST OF THE AREA...LIGHT TO
MODERATE RAIN WILL PRODUCE ANOTHER A QUARTER TO HALF INCH RAINFALL
THROUGH 900 AM.
A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING FLOODING OR LIVE IN A FLOOD PRONE AREA MOVE
TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY. THOSE LIVING NEAR CREEKS AND STREAMS
SHOULD MONITOR WATER LEVELS CLOSELY AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE QUICK
ACTION.
MOST FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. NEVER DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO
AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. FLOOD WATERS ARE USUALLY
DEEPER THAN THEY APPEAR. JUST ONE FOOT OF FLOWING WATER IS POWERFUL
ENOUGH TO SWEEP VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD. WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED
ROADS...TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.

Additional Information about our Smoky Situation

The NC Division of Air Quality has issued new information about the smoke which has drifted westward into more of our viewing area.

In a release published this afternoon:

"Current air quality conditions have been caused by smoke from the EvansRoad fire in Hyde County (near Lake Mattamuskeet). Currently, the smoke has filtered as far west as the Triad region, and cloud push furtherwest as the day progresses.
In anticipation of the smoke plume intrusion, Code Orange forecasts forParticle pollution were issued for the Triad, Triangle, and Fayettevilleregions, with a special notice for the Rocky Mount area.
.... As with ozone, particle pollution posses a health risk to youngchildren, active adults, and people with lung disease such as asthma andemphysema. Particle pollution also carries a health risk for people withheart diseases such as coronary artery disease and congestive heartfailure, as these small particles can reach deep into the lungs and canthen be absorbed into the blood stream. During this Code Orange eventchildren, active people, and those with respiratory or heart diseaseshould limit outdoor activity."


You can get current pollutant levels from NCDAQ at the following web sites:By region: http://daq.state.nc.us/ambient/monitors/By pollutant: http://xapps.enr.state.nc.us/aq/ambient/AmbtPollutant.jspBy county/site: http://xapps.enr.state.nc.us/aq/ambient/AmbtSite.jspAdditional information on particle pollution and its health effect canbe found at:NC DAQ FAQ Page: http://daq.state.nc.us/airaware/aqfaq.shtmlEPA’s “Particle Pollution and Your Health” Brochure:http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=particle.cover

Do you smell smoke?

A smokey smell and haze across our part of North Carolina has had many people asking if something was on fire in their neighborhood this morning. There is something on fire, but its not in our neighborhoods. That smoke is actually from a large wildfire burning toward the coast just west of Manteo. Wind from the east this morning has allowed that smoke to drift into our area giving us a hazy Thursday.

The haze will and smell of smoke will be most evident this morning, but hazy conditions and a faint smell of smoke may linger through the day today.

You can follow the latest on the wildfire burning near the coast by clicking this link from the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources: http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/fire_control/current_fires.htm