04/29/14 — Will dangerous weather hit Wayne County?

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Will dangerous weather hit Wayne County?

By Steve Herring
Published in News on April 29, 2014 1:46 PM

Rain and thunderstorms, some possibly severe, are expected across the area today.

However the better chance of severe weather that could produce possible hail and tornadoes, will be Wednesday, according the National Weather Service in Raleigh.

"I think the primary threat is going to be damaging straight-line winds with the secondary threat being hail and tornadoes," said Ryan Ellis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Raleigh office. "I also think the biggest story over the next two days will be the rain we get -- not so much you area as to the west.

"There will be a chance of flash flooding with 2 to 3 inches of widespread rain."

Areas from Raleigh west are already under a flash flood watch

The front that is over the area bringing the gray, cloudy weather will retreat to the north during the day, he said.

As it moves north some parts of the state will see sunshine.

However, that heat could help fuel the severe storms. Also, the boundary area between the sunshine and the cooler cloud-covered areas offer the best chance to spawn severe weather, he said.

There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. today, becoming more likely after 3 p.m. Wind gusts of up to 20 mph are expected.

Rain and thunderstorms are forecast overnight as well.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, possibly severe and with damaging winds, are expected to continue through Wednesday and into the night.