Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 40, NWS Raleigh, NC

September 18, 2026Davidson County, Guilford County, Randolph County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this flash flood warning at Sep 18, 2026, 3:10 PM EDT for Davidson County, Guilford County, Randolph County, North Carolina. It was in force for 2 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Sep 18, 2026, 3:10 PM EDT (19:10 UTC)
Expired
Sep 18, 2026, 5:27 PM EDT
In force
2 hr
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Davidson County, NC, Guilford County, NC, Randolph County, NC

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 122 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:12 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 7.2 hours before the alert went out and 15 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2026-09-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 587 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2026-09-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 55 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
587 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-78 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1404 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
16 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
55 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
46 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

954 
WGUS52 KRAH 181910
FFWRAH
NCC057-081-151-182215-
/O.NEW.KRAH.FF.W.0040.260918T1910Z-260918T2215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
310 PM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Eastern Davidson County in central North Carolina...
  Southwestern Guilford County in central North Carolina...
  Northwestern Randolph County in central North Carolina...

* Until 615 PM EDT.

* At 310 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain
  have fallen near High Point. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2
  inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing
  or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
           drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Greensboro, High Point, Randleman, McLeansville, Archdale, Trinity,
  Pleasant Garden, Jamestown, Randleman Regional Reservior Marina,
  Oak Hollow Marina, Climax, Forest Oaks, Lake Jeanette Marina and
  Colfax.

This includes the following frequently flooded locations...
South Buffalo near Holden Rd and I-40, Latham Park near North Buffalo
Creek, Brush Creek at Muirfield Rd, Muddy Creek at Bessemer Ave near
US-29, North Church Street near East Cone Blvd and West Fork Deep
River near NC-68 and Rivermeade Dr.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3587 8005 3592 8005 3601 8004 3617 8003
      3615 7967 3582 7969 3582 8005

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

22
1 follow-up statement
978 
WGUS72 KRAH 182127
FFSRAH

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
527 PM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

NCC057-081-151-182137-
/O.CAN.KRAH.FF.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260918T2215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Davidson NC-Guilford NC-Randolph NC-
527 PM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR EASTERN DAVIDSON,
SOUTHWESTERN GUILFORD AND NORTHWESTERN RANDOLPH COUNTIES...

Flood waters have receded. The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining
road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3587 8005 3592 8005 3601 8004 3617 8003
      3615 7967 3582 7969 3582 8005

$$

LH

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Sep 18, 1:30 PM EDT, 1 hour 40 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • As of 215 AM Friday... 1) Scattered to locally numerous showers and storms will be possible this afternoon/evening and be capable of strong to severe straight- line wind gusts and locally heavy rainfall amounts of > 1". 2) Monday into Tuesday will likely feature scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms. Beneficial rain possible for some areas. Hot Monday, cooling by Tuesday especially north. 3) A NE flow and cold air damming will yield much cooler and cloudier conditions, possibly accompanied by periods of light rain and drizzle, by the middle of next week.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 18, 1:30 PM EDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
130 PM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...

* Locations where strong to severe thunderstorms will be
  possible this afternoon and evening has been expanded to cover
  areas along and west of the I-95 corridor, including the
  Triangle, Fayetteville, and the Triad.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
As of 215 AM Friday...

1) Scattered to locally numerous showers and storms will be
possible this afternoon/evening and be capable of strong to
severe straight- line wind gusts and locally heavy rainfall
amounts of > 1".

2) Monday into Tuesday will likely feature scattered to
numerous showers and thunderstorms. Beneficial rain possible for
some areas. Hot Monday, cooling by Tuesday especially north.

3) A NE flow and cold air damming will yield much cooler and
cloudier conditions, possibly accompanied by periods of light
rain and drizzle, by the middle of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
As of 215 AM Friday...

KEY MESSAGE 1... Scattered to locally numerous showers and
storms will be possible this afternoon/evening and be capable of
strong to severe straight-line wind gusts and locally heavy
rainfall amounts of > 1".

A pair of fronts are expected the shift across our area over
the next 24 to 36 hours. The lead boundary will be a pre-frontal
trough, currently stretching roughly from Richmond to Charlotte
in the 05z obs, which will mix southeast throughout the morning
and bring atypical hot and humid conditions within northerly
flow across the forecast area. Trailing this boundary will be
the synoptic cold front, which will likely be working through
the Virginias and southern Ohio Valley through the daylight
hours.

In between these two boundaries, surface dew points should
remain in the mid/upper 60s to low 70s throughout peak heating
as temperatures rise well into the 90s. This should provide a
moderately unstable air mass with instability ranging from
1000-2000 J/kg. Although isolated pulse air mass showers/storms
can't be ruled out anywhere through the afternoon (with
convective temps in the low 90s), the greatest convective
coverage will likely be along a the track of upstream showers
and storms currently working through Ohio as of 06z. Mean-wind
steering flow should continue to track this cluster towards the
central Appalachians by early afternoon and then track generally
south and into central NC during peak heating. Poor mid-lvl
lapse rates and related marginal instability should preclude a
more widespread severe threat, however, steep low-lvl lapse
rates in excess of 9 C/km over the Piedmont could favor storms
organizing along a common cold-pool and result in localized
strong to severe straight-line wind gusts, despite weak
tropospheric wind shear (5-10 kts).

The synoptic cold front should start to working into the area
from the north around or shortly after midnight and may support
a continuation of shallow showers through the overnight period.

KEY MESSAGE 2... Monday into Tuesday will likely feature
scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms. Beneficial rain
possible, remaining hot Monday. Turning cooler later Tuesday,
especially over north-central areas.

Models continue to suggest a potentially moist period for our
region Monday into Tuesday. This is due to the mid/upper trough
approaching from the Midwest and Ohio Valley. One cold front is
expected to reach NC Monday afternoon and possibly stall, with
another cold front expected to backdoor the region late Tuesday
into Tuesday night. There should be a couple of rounds of
showers/storms, especially during the afternoon and evening
Monday into Tuesday night. Some beneficial rainfall is expected,
but as is typical with thunderstorms some areas will get the
beneficial rainfall of 1 to locally 2 inches, while some others
may be left out. Much more on this forecast through the weekend
updates. It will likely continue very warm and humid Monday,
with some cooler conditions Tuesday across the north (due to
clouds/showers/storms). Monday highs should be in the mid 80s to
lower 90s south. Highs Tuesday will be around 80 north to near
90 south. Lows in the mid 60s to around 70.

KEY MESSAGE 3... A NE flow and cold air damming will yield much
cooler and cloudier conditions, possibly accompanied by periods
of light rain and drizzle, Tuesday night into Thursday.

Once the cold front settles south of the region later Tuesday
and Tuesday night, a low level NE flow will continue to feed low
level moisture into the region. This would bring stable
conditions and would mean that stratus, fog, and periods of
light rain/drizzle or light showers will be likely Tuesday night
into Wednesday and Thursday. The combination of the NE flow,
moisture, cloudiness, and some light rain will keep daily highs
in the 70s (or much below normal for the first time in weeks).
Lows in the 60s, with some 50s possible north-central Wed-Fri.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 130 PM Friday...

24 hour TAF period: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are
beginning to develop across central North Carolina, with the
greatest coverage around INT/GSO. The coverage is expected to expand
over the next few hours, and TEMPO groups for thunderstorms with
gusty wind were maintained at 4 of 5 TAF sites - confidence is not
high enough to go with a TEMPO group as far east as RWI. INT just
had a wind gust to 31 kt with IFR visibility, and this will be
possible at each of the terminals this afternoon into the evening.
After convection comes to an end tonight, IFR/LIFR ceilings are
expected to develop late tonight into Saturday morning, although
again, there is slightly less confidence as far east as RWI with the
amount of cloud cover and whether ceilings will form. While there
could be some minimal visibility restrictions, low ceilings will
drive the flight category. Conditions may be slow to scatter out
Saturday morning.

Outlook: There will be a chance of afternoon showers and
thunderstorms at all terminals, with the highest chance at FAY. MVFR
ceilings appear likely to develop Saturday night into Sunday
morning. After mostly dry conditions Saturday night through Sunday
night, expect widespread precipitation Monday through Tuesday,
eventually becoming more scattered. Restrictions will be possible
through this period as well.

&&

.RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

DISCUSSION...AS/Badgett
AVIATION...Green
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 18, 2:48 AM EDT, 12 hours 22 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
248 AM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

NCZ007>010-021>026-038>042-073>077-083>086-088-089-190700-
Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-
Durham-Franklin-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake-Johnston-Stanly-
Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Anson-Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-
Sampson-
248 AM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Scattered to locally numerous showers and storms are expected this
afternoon into the evening hours. Isolated instances of strong to
severe winds, 40-60 mph, will be possible, but highly conditional in
an otherwise unfavorable weather pattern to produce widespread
severe weather.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

NCZ011-027-028-043-078-190700-
Halifax-Nash-Edgecombe-Wilson-Wayne-
248 AM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 18, 2:06 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
206 PM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

NCZ022-039-181845-
Guilford NC-Randolph NC-
206 PM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN RANDOLPH AND
SOUTHWESTERN GUILFORD COUNTIES THROUGH 245 PM EDT...

At 206 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
High Point, moving southeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Greensboro, High Point, Asheboro, Randleman, Archdale, Pleasant
Garden, Climax, and Randleman Regional Reservior Marina.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 85 between Mile Markers 33 and 35, and between Mile
Markers 109 and 123.
 Interstate 73 between Mile Markers 75 and 99.
 Interstate 74 between Mile Markers 71 and 79.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3594 8002 3604 7984 3583 7960 3568 7988
TIME...MOT...LOC 1806Z 325DEG 8KT 3593 7989

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Green
Local storm report, Sep 18, 2:56 PM EDT, 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
256 PM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0231 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     5 ESE Colfax            36.10N 79.94W
09/18/2026  M69 MPH          Guilford           NC   ASOS

            GSO reported a wind gust to 60 kt or 69 mph.

&&

22

The office that day

Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 18, 2:06 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHRandolph39 min
Sep 18, 2:19 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDavidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph41 min
Sep 18, 2:57 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatRAHChatham, Guilford, Randolph48 min
Sep 18, 2:59 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHGuilford, Randolph11 min
Sep 18, 3:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHMontgomery59 min
Sep 18, 3:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHCumberland, Scotland67 min
Sep 18, 3:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHChatham, Lee, Randolph46 min
Sep 18, 3:55 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHDavidson, Randolph92 min
Sep 18, 3:57 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHForsyth91 min
Sep 18, 4:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHHarnett, Lee, Moore55 min
Sep 18, 4:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHFranklin, Granville, Vance65 min
Sep 18, 4:10 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHHarnett, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph50 min
Sep 18, 4:16 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAnson, Montgomery, Stanly44 min
Sep 18, 4:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHChatham, Lee, Orange37 min
Sep 18, 4:31 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHHarnett, Johnston44 min
Sep 18, 4:56 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHCumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Moore, Richmond, Scotland49 min
Sep 18, 5:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHCumberland, Sampson39 min
Sep 18, 5:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHWake44 min
Sep 18, 5:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHJohnston, Wake44 min
Sep 18, 6:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHHarnett, Johnston, Sampson, Wake, Wayne49 min
Sep 18, 6:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHJohnston, Wayne, Wilson44 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in North Carolina, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.