Central NC now in severe thunderstorm watch ahead of Memorial Day risk for Raleigh area

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A severe thunderstorm watch was issued Sunday afternoon by the National Weather Service for more than 20 counties in areas just west of central North Carolina and the mountains of the state.

Later, various counties in central North Carolina were added, including Durham, Chatham, Granville, Orange, Person and Vance. The severe thunderstorm watch for areas around central North Carolina is in effect until 11 p.m.

The severe thunderstorm watch for western areas is in effect until 9 p.m. as a complex of severe thunderstorms moves east through the rest of Sunday afternoon and early evening, the National Weather Service said.

The same storms from western North Carolina are possible in the Raleigh region starting around 9 p.m. Sunday, according to CBS 17 Meteorologist Lance Block. The storms Sunday night could be strong in a few areas.

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A Level 1 and 2 risk for severe weather is forecast for Central North Carolina areas in the Raleigh region on Monday, according to the CBS 17 Storm Team.

Futurecast models by CBS 17 indicate storms hitting Durham and Raleigh after 7 p.m. Monday.

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Forecasters on Sunday focused on western North Carolina in the severe thunderstorm watch.

“Damaging thunderstorm wind gusts and a tornado or two will be the primary severe weather hazards, however, isolated large hail will also be possible,” the severe thunderstorm watch said.

The National Weather Service also said scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph are likely.

Also in the watch area, there is a risk for isolated large hail 1.5 inches in diameter.

A severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and near the watch area.

The counties under the severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m. are:

Alamance
Chatham
Davidson
Durham
Forsyth
Granville
Guilford
Orange
Person
Randolph
Vance

The areas included in the initial North Carolina severe thunderstorm watch are:

Alexander County
Alleghany County
Ashe County
Avery County
Buncombe County
Burke County
Caldwell County
Catawba County
Davie County
Haywood County
Iredell County
Madison County
McDowell County
Mitchell County
Rowan County
Surry County
Swain County
Watauga County
Wilkes County
Yadkin County
Yancey County

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60 statute miles north and south of a line from 55 miles west-northwest of Bristol, Tennessee to 20 miles northeast of Dublin, Virginia.