Everyone in North Carolina should have a way to receive weather warnings this weekend.  A few strong storms could develop Saturday.  Then the state has a higher chance for severe storms Sunday afternoon and night.

The Weather on the 1s team is watching two different weather systems impacting our weekend weather.  The first is a front that moved toward the Carolinas Friday bringing a stormy end to the work week in parts of the state.  Radar even indicated a brief tornado touched down Friday evening south of Raleigh in northern Harnett County.  The front is still located near North Carolina and will spark scattered showers and storms around the state Saturday morning and afternoon.

There is a marginal risk (level 1 on a 5 level scale) for a few severe storms Saturday from the Piedmont to the coastal plain.  A few storms could become strong enough to produce hail and gusty winds in addition to locally heavy rain and lightning.  There is also a low risk for an isolated tornado near and east of I-95.

 

 

While we keep a close eye on radar here Saturday, a second storm system is developing over Texas.  There is a much higher threat for a severe weather outbreak Saturday afternoon and night from Texas to Louisiana and Mississippi.  That system will track to the east bringing an increased threat for powerful storms to North Carolina at the end of the weekend.

Sunday's severe weather threat across the state ranges from a level 3 risk in the western half of North Carolina to a level 1 risk closer to the coast.

 

 

The greatest risk from severe storms Sunday afternoon and night will come from damaging wind gusts and possibly some hail.  However, given the dynamics of this system, tornadoes are possible.

If a Severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Warning is issued this weekend, you should seek shelter on the lowest floor of a sturdy building in a small, interior room.  Basements, hallways, closets, and windowless bathrooms often offer the best protection.

The storm threat could linger late Sunday night into very early morning especially in the eastern half of North Carolina.   The storms should end from west to east from Sunday night through sunrise Monday morning.

Stay tuned to Weather on the 1s on Spectrum News for updates through the weekend.