Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Central North Carolina
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NWS Raleigh has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of Franklin, Johnston, Nash, and Wake counties until 2:15 PM EDT.
Read this weather record in 30 seconds
- Record type
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning
- Affected area
- Central North Carolina
- Issued
- August 20, 2026
- Issuing authority
- NWS Raleigh NC
Storm notices can cover different combinations of wind, hail, lightning, and rainfall. Use the original notice for the hazards and boundaries attached to this specific record.
Record status: publication date is recent, but current status is not stored on this page. Check the issuing agency's live warning service before acting because warnings can be updated, narrowed, or cancelled.
Alert Details
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Raleigh NC. The alert is effective from August 20, 2026 at 1:27 PM EDT until August 20, 2026 at 2:15 PM EDT.
Affected Areas
The warning covers southwestern Nash County, central Wake County, northwestern Johnston County, and south central Franklin County in central North Carolina. Locations impacted include Raleigh, Garner, Clayton, Zebulon, Bailey, Knightdale, Wendell, Middlesex, Pilot, and Lake Wheeler. Affected highways include Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 298 and 318, Interstate 440 between Mile Markers 14 and 16, Interstate 540 between Mile Markers 21 and 24, and NC Highway 264 between Mile Markers 20 and 33.
What You Should Do
For protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
Expected Conditions
At 1:27 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Zebulon to Garner, moving east at 20 mph. Hazards include 60 mph wind gusts and hail up to 0.75 inches. Torrential rainfall is occurring and may lead to flash flooding. Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Timeline
The warning is in effect until 2:15 PM EDT on August 20, 2026.
Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗
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