Severe storm threats return; WRAL Weather Alert Day issued for Tuesday

There is a slim chance of a storm this evening in our eastern counties and at the coast. It's unlikely this would impact the Triangle.

Skies are partly cloudy overnight with lows in the low 70s.

The downpours and steady rain over the last two days have put a dent in the drought but have not been enough to ease our long-term dry conditions. 

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Our next weather maker is a front that taps into our heat and high humidity Tuesday. There is a level 2 severe weather threat across our viewing area. The main window of concern is 3 to 9 p.m. 

"The main concern will come during the evening hours into early Tuesday night," WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell said.

Damaging wind gusts will be the most likely form of severe weather but a brief tornado or hail can't be ruled out. Storm chances are 60% so not everyone will see storms.

We’ll then be drier for much of Wednesday, with temperatures seasonable at around 90 degrees. We’ll keep similar temperatures through next weekend, and rain chances stay slim until the end of next weekend. It will even be a little less humid by Thursday.

The next shot of rain comes in Sunday.

By then, the front that passed Wednesday and stalled to our south will move north again, and we’ll see better chances for showers and storms.

Get the latest forecast on WRAL News+ and download the WRAL Weather app to get notifications when conditions change.

Another week of decent precipitation has helped further ease the drought across North Carolina, eliminating the exceptional drought conditions in our part of the state.

New drought data released on Thursday, July 23, shows the state's exceptional drought is down from 5% to 2%, and the extreme drought is down from 39% to 28%.

Wake County also improved from being in extreme drought to down to severe drought, minus a tiny portion in the north. 

Another positive development is that this most recent map does not include the heavy precipitation that began Wednesday and will continue through Friday, meaning next week's report should show additional progress.

Still, moderate to severe drought conditions remain in the state, and WRAL meteorologists have said it could take a tropical system to get rid of our drought status. Most municipalities are still asking residents to limit water consumption.

• Monday: Partly cloudy with highs in the upper 80s.
• Tuesday: Building clouds with late-day storms. Some may be severe. Highs in the low-to-mid 90s.
• Wednesday: It's a seasonable summer day with the hot and humid weather sticking around. Highs in the upper 80s.
• Thursday: It's a seasonable day today with highs in the upper 80s. Skies will be mostly sunny to partly cloudy with minimal storm chances.
• Friday: It's a pleasant end to the week. Highs climb into the upper 80s to lower 90s under mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies.
• Saturday: A few showers are possible, but better chances arrive Sunday. Highs at around 90°
• Sunday: Scattered showers and some storms. Highs in the middle 80s.