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Waves of soaking rain are in the forecast for the next several days as a front brings increased scattered showers and storms.
Local leaders are also preparing for the impacts from the rain, with Raleigh officials lowering water levels at Lake Johnson to compensate for the rain.
Periods of rain and downpours are expected to continue Friday and over the weekend, with the wettest days forecast for Saturday and Sunday. Then, a tropical system could bring more rain our way next week.
Helpful links: Search your address to see your flood risk | DualDoppler5000 | When, where, what: Timing the rain | Download WRAL apps to get alerts | All active weather alerts | ReportIt: Send us flooding pics | What to do on a rainy day
The latest
2 p.m.: The system that will become Imelda is expected to become a potential tropical cyclone later on Friday. As of the National Hurricane Center’s 2 p.m. update, the system has a 90% chance of development. The system is producing a large area of disorganized showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds.
Gradual development of the system is expected, and it will likely become a tropical depression during the next day or so while it moves northwestward or northward across the Bahamas.
12:20 p.m.: WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said isolated showers and storms pop up during the afternoon. Not everyone will see heavy rain today, but we’ll see it in pockets.
“The later we go into the afternoon and evening, the better chance that you may end up seeing some rain,” Gardner said. “Some of that could be heavy.”
Noon: Rain showers could ramp up Friday evening and Saturday, and the city of Raleigh is lowering Lake Johnson to help reduce potential flooding. Crews have been lowering the lake since Wednesday, and the water level is already 2 feet lower than it was previously. It takes one day to lower Lake Johnson by 1 foot, which is why crews began working days before the storm.
9 a.m.: A handful of varsity high school football games in North Carolina have been rescheduled due to rain and lightning. Showers and storms will become more widespread Friday evening, but it will be rainier on Saturday, according to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.
8 a.m.: The rain we’ll see Friday and this weekend is not related to a tropical system, soon-to-be-named Imelda, nearing South Carolina’s coast. The system is expected to bring us rain next week that could lead to flooding in our area.
7 a.m.: We’re expecting between 3 to 5 inches of rain with some isolated higher amounts over the next five days, and we could see even more rain into the middle of next week. Localized flooding will be a concern with at least a low-end flood risk each day, according to WRAL meteorologist Grant Skinner.
6 a.m.: A WRAL Weather Alert Day is in effect immediately due to a risk for flooding that begins late Friday and carries us into the weekend and next week. With several inches of rain in our forecast over the next few days, the WAD has no set end date.
WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said we could see heavy rain through Tuesday at least, and 5 inches of rain could fall in that timeframe.
5 a.m.: Saturday now has a medium, Level 2 (out of 4) threat for flooding. Showers and storms will be scattered on Friday, but WRAL meteorologists say the heaviest rain will fall Saturday. Flood advisories could be issued.
Timing: Waves of rain this weekend
After flooding in Johnston County and a slew of thunderstorm warnings on Thursday evening, a cold front will continue bringing rain to our area Friday and for much of the weekend. Friday will be a cooler day, with highs in the 80s instead of the 90s, and highs could drop to the 70s for Saturday and Sunday.
Rain showers will be likely throughout Friday, with the chance for heavier rain and storms increasing Friday evening. There is a more than 80% chance of rain after 6 p.m., and high school football games could be impacted by the weather.
Unfortunately for weekend plans, the heaviest rain is forecast for Saturday and Sunday, which have between a 70% chance and an 80% chance of rain. If you have outdoor activities scheduled, make sure to have a backup plan.
Highs will drop into the upper 70s on Saturday, and heavy rain and localized flooding remain likely all day. Flood advisories and flash flood warnings will be possible, so make sure to download the WRAL News weather app. Saturday appears to be the wettest day, according to Gardner.
Sunday may be a bit drier, but still not ideal for outdoor plans. Temperatures will stay mild, and skies will be cloudy with scattered showers and storms possible much of the day.
“We still have the potential for some localized flooding [on Sunday] as some of the rain will be heavy at times,” Gardner said.
By Monday, we could have our next named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Imelda. The system, which could strengthen before impacting South Carolina’s coast, will bring rip currents to North Carolina’s southern beaches.
Rain bands from the storm could be felt in the Triangle as early as Monday or Tuesday.
FEMA prepares for potential impact
FEMA officials are closely monitoring and preparing ahead of Invest 94L, which the National Hurricane Center predicts could become a tropical depression within the next 48 hours. Officials said they are communicating with state and local officials to make sure they are prepared for any potential impact.
On Thursday, officials urged residents along the coastal areas of the Southeast U.S. to pay attention to their local officials and warnings, and prepare now. As the system continues to develop, officials say they are “ready to respond swiftly, if needed.”
Calls between state officials and FEMA are ongoing. Federal Coordinating Officers are already in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina from other disasters and are working closely on any federal requests for assistance, officials said.
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