Areas bordering central North Carolina under severe thunderstorm watch
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — With the risk of severe thunderstorms in central North Carolina Sunday, a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for areas north, east and south of central N.C.
The National Weather Service initially issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the southeastern areas of North Carolina, but then expanded that to cover more of the east and southeast.
'Clusters of storms will move east-northeastward across eastern North Carolina this afternoon,' the watch said, noting 65 mph wind gusts are possible along with 1-inch hail.
Then, at 2:40 p.m., the weather service expanded the severe thunderstorm watch northward to include all of eastern North Carolina until 10 p.m. Sunday.
RELATED: Interactive weather radar
'Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon, with mostly a damaging wind/some hail risk across far southern Virginia and northeast North Carolina,' forecasters said in the watch.
Areas east of Edgecombe, Wilson, Wayne, and Sampson counties are in the watch area.
To the north, Northampton County is in the severe thunderstorm watch along with Virginia counties along the border west to Danville.
Essentially, central North Carolina is nearly encircled by the severe thunderstorm watch.
RELATED: Interactive weather radar
A severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area, the weather service said.
Residents should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes.
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