First Alert Day: Flood watch in effect; Severe storms could bring damaging winds, hail

Thursday is a First Alert Day in the ABC11 coverage area. There is a Level 2 risk of severe storms for most of the area with damaging winds and hail being the main threats.

Expect scattered showers and storms in the afternoon and evening as a cold front approaches from the west. Heavy rain is possible across parts of the Triangle area. A few storms may linger overnight.

A flood watch is in effect for most of central North Carolina.

The heat wave has ended! Thursday highs will be in the upper 80s to low 90s. Feels-like temps will be in the upper 90s to near 100.

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Looking Ahead

The best chance for rain on Friday will be into the evening and nighttime hours.

The wet and unsettled pattern will continue through the weekend.

Much of the southeast is in a moderate to severe drought. However, the rain of the past few days has eliminated our rain deficit for this month.