Raleigh, NC – A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for several counties in central North Carolina as a powerful storm system is expected to move through the region late Monday afternoon into the evening. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Raleigh issued the watch just after 4 p.m. on Monday, warning residents of potentially hazardous weather.

The watch, which remains in effect until 10 p.m., covers much of central North Carolina, with a level 3 storm risk in place for several areas. The storm system is expected to bring scattered damaging wind gusts, with speeds reaching up to 70 mph in some areas.

The NWS predicts that small thunderstorm clusters and a linear band of thunderstorms will move eastward across the watch area throughout the afternoon and evening.

The watch area spans from Winston-Salem in the west to Greenville in the east, including major counties such as Cumberland, Durham, Johnston, Orange, and Wake. These areas should be prepared for the possibility of severe thunderstorms, which could bring heavy rain, gusty winds, and dangerous conditions.

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The National Weather Service urges residents in the affected areas to stay alert for changing weather conditions, as the storm system could bring additional threats such as hail or localized flooding. The NWS advises people to have a plan in place and to seek shelter if they experience severe weather.

For those in central North Carolina, this storm could cause significant disruptions, so local authorities are encouraging everyone to remain vigilant as the storm progresses through the area.

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