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Much of the Triangle could see thunderstorms, including potentially up to 5 inches of rain and flash flooding in some areas, headed into the weekend.
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Thunderstorms are expected to form along a stationary front (where warm and cold air masses meet) on Friday, Aug. 21, prompting a flood watch for the Triangle that begins at 11 a.m. Friday and through Saturday morning.
“Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall are expected (Friday) and possibly into tonight and early Saturday,” according to the Flood Watch from the National Weather Service. “A stalled front over the region will combine with anomalously moist conditions and very unstable air, supporting thunderstorms with intense rainfall rates of up to 3 inches per hour.”
If the rain falls that quickly, it can cause flash flooding.
“Total rainfall amounts of 2 to locally 5 inches are likely,” according to a media briefing from the National Weather Service.
Television meteorologists, including ABC11 and CBS17, are forecasting the best chances for rain will be late in the afternoon into the evening and overnight.
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There is a slight, or level 2, risk of severe storms for areas south of Raleigh, according to the National Weather Service.
“The main threat is damaging winds,” according to the National Weather Service. “Frequent lightning is also possible. The threat is mostly from noon – 8 p.m. Stay weather aware today!”
That front should also bring temperatures down, cooling the area after an intense heat wave.
“So (Thursday) should really be the last day of really sick, perverse heat index and heat impacts, at least for the next many days,” said Jonathan Blaes, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service’s Raleigh office.”
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This story was originally published August 21, 2026 at 9:15 AM.