Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 101, NWS Raleigh, NC
NWS Raleigh, NC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 7, 2026, 7:31 PM EDT for 10 counties in North Carolina. It was in force for 59 min. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 7, 2026, 7:31 PM EDT (23:31 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 7, 2026, 8:30 PM EDT
- In force
- 59 min
- Issued by
- NWS Raleigh, NC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Chatham County, NC, Durham County, NC, Franklin County, NC, Granville County, NC, Harnett County, NC, Johnston County, NC, Lee County, NC, Vance County, NC, Wake County, NC, Warren County, NC
The radar
The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 31 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:35 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 7:41 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 E Rdu International, NC | Tree down over Pats Branch Dr. |
| Jul 7, 8:10 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 Wsw Falls Lake, NC | tree down across Brereton Dr. |
| Jul 7, 8:17 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Ssw Falls Lake, NC | tree on home Ceremonial Ct. |
| Jul 7, 8:25 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 Nne Raleigh, NC | large tree knocked down power lines in front of house on Van Thomas Dr. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 4 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 10 minutes after it went out.
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, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 123 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 744 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -75 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 824 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 13 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 16 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 24 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
433
WUUS52 KRAH 072331
SVRRAH
NCC037-063-069-077-085-101-105-181-183-185-080030-
/O.NEW.KRAH.SV.W.0101.260707T2331Z-260708T0030Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
731 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026
The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Vance County in central North Carolina...
Western Warren County in central North Carolina...
Northeastern Harnett County in central North Carolina...
Central Granville County in central North Carolina...
Northeastern Lee County in central North Carolina...
Wake County in central North Carolina...
Northwestern Johnston County in central North Carolina...
Southeastern Chatham County in central North Carolina...
Southeastern Durham County in central North Carolina...
Franklin County in central North Carolina...
* Until 830 PM EDT.
* At 731 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 6 miles northwest of Henderson to 7 miles west of
Wake Forest to 8 miles northeast of Sanford, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Henderson, Oxford, Creedmoor, Louisburg,
Warrenton, Wake Forest, and Garner.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 85 between Mile Markers 184 and 233.
Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 278 and 316.
Interstate 440 between Mile Markers 1 and 16.
Interstate 540 between Mile Markers 0 and 24.
US 1 between Mile Markers 80 and 101.
NC Highway 264 between Mile Markers 20 and 22.
the Durham Freeway between Mile Markers 2 and 6.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3589 7821 3583 7825 3546 7868 3552 7914
3577 7900 3599 7883 3654 7855 3654 7805
TIME...MOT...LOC 2331Z 284DEG 17KT 3638 7849 3594 7865 3559 7912
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CA2 follow-up statements
971
WWUS52 KRAH 080012
SVSRAH
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
812 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026
NCC037-063-085-105-181-185-080022-
/O.CAN.KRAH.SV.W.0101.000000T0000Z-260708T0030Z/
Vance NC-Warren NC-Harnett NC-Lee NC-Chatham NC-Durham NC-
812 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR VANCE...WESTERN WARREN...
NORTHEASTERN HARNETT...NORTHEASTERN LEE...SOUTHEASTERN CHATHAM AND
SOUTHEASTERN DURHAM COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has weakened.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
&&
LAT...LON 3617 7814 3589 7821 3583 7825 3563 7849
3568 7897 3587 7891 3587 7883 3593 7880
3592 7876 3594 7873 3601 7870 3602 7871
3618 7853 3618 7849 3616 7846 3616 7842
3618 7840
TIME...MOT...LOC 0012Z 278DEG 17KT 3585 7856
$$
NCC069-077-101-183-080030-
/O.CON.KRAH.SV.W.0101.000000T0000Z-260708T0030Z/
Granville NC-Wake NC-Johnston NC-Franklin NC-
812 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN GRANVILLE...WAKE...NORTH CENTRAL JOHNSTON AND
FRANKLIN COUNTIES...
At 812 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Raleigh, moving
east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and heavy rainfall.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Raleigh, Cary, Louisburg, Wake Forest, Garner, Clayton, Zebulon,
Franklinton, Bunn, and RDU International.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 283 and 309.
Interstate 440 between Mile Markers 1 and 16.
Interstate 540 between Mile Markers 1 and 24.
US 1 between Mile Markers 90 and 101.
NC Highway 264 between Mile Markers 20 and 22.
the Durham Freeway near Mile Marker 2.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3617 7814 3589 7821 3583 7825 3563 7849
3568 7897 3587 7891 3587 7883 3593 7880
3592 7876 3594 7873 3601 7870 3602 7871
3618 7853 3618 7849 3616 7846 3616 7842
3618 7840
TIME...MOT...LOC 0012Z 278DEG 17KT 3585 7856
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CA049
WWUS52 KRAH 080030
SVSRAH
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
830 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026
NCC069-077-101-183-080040-
/O.EXP.KRAH.SV.W.0101.000000T0000Z-260708T0030Z/
Granville NC-Wake NC-Johnston NC-Franklin NC-
830 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN GRANVILLE...
WAKE...NORTH CENTRAL JOHNSTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES HAS EXPIRED...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been allowed to expire. However, gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 3617 7814 3589 7821 3583 7825 3563 7849
3568 7897 3587 7891 3587 7883 3593 7880
3592 7876 3594 7873 3601 7870 3602 7871
3618 7853 3618 7849 3616 7846 3616 7842
3618 7840
TIME...MOT...LOC 0030Z 284DEG 17KT 3583 7846
$$
CAWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 7, 2:43 PM EDT, 4 hours 48 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- As of 243 PM Tuesday... 1) Level 1 risk (marginal risk) for severe thunderstorms today along with a level 1 risk for flash flooding (marginal ERO) today and Wednesday - highest risk for flooding north and east of Raleigh. 2) Level 3 heat risk south and east of the Triad through Saturday.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 7, 2:43 PM EDT, 4 hours 48 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 243 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... * No major changes. && .KEY MESSAGES... As of 243 PM Tuesday... 1) Level 1 risk (marginal risk) for severe thunderstorms today along with a level 1 risk for flash flooding (marginal ERO) today and Wednesday - highest risk for flooding north and east of Raleigh. 2) Level 3 heat risk south and east of the Triad through Saturday. && .DISCUSSION... As of 243 PM Tuesday... 1) Level 1 risk (marginal risk) for severe thunderstorms today along with a level 1 risk for flash flooding (marginal ERO) today and Wednesday - highest risk for flooding north and east of Raleigh. A moist and unstable air mass will remain in place across central North Carolina through Wednesday as weak mid-level flow and a backdoor cold front sagging south from Virginia provide a favorable environment for scattered to numerous thunderstorms. Most deterministic and convection-allowing guidance suggests the greatest convective coverage will occur each afternoon and evening, with outflow boundaries being the focus this afternoon and evening and the backdoor front and any residual outflow boundaries serving as primary foci for storm development on Wednesday. While widespread organized severe weather is not expected, moderate instability will support a threat for isolated damaging wind gusts with stronger multicells. The severe weather risk should remain highest where storms can interact with the southward-moving boundary, especially across northern half of the forecast area. The flash flood threat may ultimately become the greater concern. Deep tropical moisture, slow storm motions, and the potential for repeated development along the frontal zone could produce localized heavy rainfall totals. The WPC Excessive Rainfall Outlook continues to highlight the greatest concern across the northern and northeastern portions of central North Carolina both today and Wednesday, where the proximity of the backdoor front may favor more persistent or training convection. Localized flash flooding will be possible, particularly in urban areas and other flood-prone locations where multiple rounds of heavy rainfall occur. 2) Level 3 heat risk south and east of the Triad through Saturday. Each day through the end of the work week is expected to trend a degree or two hotter as afternoon temperatures climb into the lower and middle 90s. Combined with continued high humidity, heat indices will likely reach or exceed 100 degrees across much of central North Carolina during this time. The experimental HeatRisk forecast shows major (Level 3 of 4) continuing or perhaps expanding a bit each day south and east of the Triad through Saturday. This level of heat can be dangerous for anyone without adequate cooling or hydration, especially those spending extended periods outdoors. A weak front approaching late in the weekend should bring at least modest relief beginning Sunday, with temperatures easing back closer to seasonal normals. && .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 243 PM Tuesday... Through 18Z Wednesday: Scattered afternoon and evening showers and tstms will result in brief IFR conditions in heavier storms, along with gusty and erratic winds. Convection should diminish by late evening, with mainly VFR overnight, although patchy MVFR fog or stratus may develop toward daybreak where rainfall occurs, with the best chance at KFAY and KRWI. Any sub-VFR restrictions should lift by mid-morning Wednesday. In summary, outside of tstm activity, flt conditions will be VFR with light and variable winds becoming light from the NE overnight. Wednesday Afternoon Through Sunday: A persistent summertime pattern will support generally VFR conditions outside of daily afternoon and evening convection through the end of the week. Brief MVFR/IFR restrictions will be possible in thunderstorms each day, with localized late night or early morning fog or stratus following heavier rainfall. Outside of convection, no widespread or prolonged aviation impacts are expected. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ042- 077-078-088-089. && DISCUSSION...np AVIATION...np
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 7, 2:44 PM EDT, 4 hours 47 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 244 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026 NCZ042-077-078-088-089-081200- Johnston-Harnett-Wayne-Cumberland-Sampson- 244 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Heat Advisory. In addition to the heat, scattered showers and storms are expected later today. The strongest storms will be capable of producing damaging winds and heavy rain, which could lead to isolated flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Another round of scattered showers and storms are possible Wednesday, with damaging winds as the primary threat along with locally heavy rainfall. Following a brief retreat into the lower 90s, temperatures will once again climb into the upper 90s late this week with dangerously hot heat indices expected Thursday and Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. NCZ007>011-021>028-038>041-043-073>076-083>086-081200- Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance- Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake- Wilson-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Anson-Richmond-Scotland-Hoke- 244 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Heat indices will approach 100 degrees across much of central NC today. In addition to the heat, scattered showers and storms are expected later today. The strongest storms will be capable of producing damaging winds and heavy rain, which could lead to isolated flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Another round of scattered showers and storms are possible Wednesday, with damaging winds as the primary threat along with locally heavy rainfall. Following a brief retreat into the lower 90s, temperatures will once again climb into the upper 90s late this week with dangerously hot heat indices expected Thursday and Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 7, 7:16 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
716 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0540 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S Wade 35.15N 78.74W
07/07/2026 Cumberland NC 911 Call Center
Tree down partially blocking road near the
6800 block of Main Street.
0507 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 SE Falcon 35.14N 78.57W
07/07/2026 Sampson NC 911 Call Center
Couple trees down near Tew Road and Baptist
Chapel Road.
&&Local storm report, Jul 7, 7:18 PM EDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
718 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0704 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SE Durham 35.96N 78.89W
07/07/2026 Durham NC Utility Company
Trees on powerlines on Capps St.
&&
CALocal storm report, Jul 7, 7:19 PM EDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
719 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0645 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WNW Bahama 36.18N 78.91W
07/07/2026 Durham NC Utility Company
trees down on power equipment on Old Roxboro
Rd.
&&
CALocal storm report, Jul 7, 7:21 PM EDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
721 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0642 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 N Sanford 35.49N 79.18W
07/07/2026 Lee NC Utility Company
trees down on powerlines on Poplar st.
&&
CALocal storm report, Jul 7, 7:26 PM EDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
726 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0647 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE Sanford 35.48N 79.17W
07/07/2026 Lee NC Utility Company
tree on power equipment.
&&
CALocal storm report, Jul 7, 7:27 PM EDT, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
727 PM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0717 PM Flash Flood 3 NNE Durham 36.02N 78.90W
07/07/2026 Durham NC Broadcast Media
Entrance/exit ramps near intersection of
Duke street and I-85 impassable due to
flooding.
&&
ASThe office that day
Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 8:06 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Davidson, Randolph | 54 min |
| Jul 6, 9:27 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Durham, Orange | 63 min |
| Jul 6, 9:59 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RAH | Durham, Orange | 8 min |
| Jul 6, 10:01 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Wake | 59 min |
| Jul 6, 10:07 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RAH | Durham, Orange | 3 hr |
| Jul 6, 10:30 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RAH | Durham | 14 min |
| Jul 6, 10:44 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RAH | Durham | 3 hr |
| Jul 6, 11:00 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Durham, Franklin, Wake | 60 min |
| Jul 7, 1:33 AM EDT | Heat Advisory | RAH | Cumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Sampson, Wayne | 18 hr |
| Jul 7, 1:54 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Harnett, Lee, Wake | 51 min |
| Jul 7, 2:00 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Granville, Person | 60 min |
| Jul 7, 2:13 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Durham, Granville, Orange, Person | 47 min |
| Jul 7, 3:24 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Wake | 66 min |
| Jul 7, 3:32 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Johnston | 28 min |
| Jul 7, 4:05 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Johnston, Sampson, Wilson | 55 min |
| Jul 7, 4:11 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Johnston, Wayne, Wilson | 49 min |
| Jul 7, 4:43 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Cumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Sampson, Wayne | 62 min |
| Jul 7, 4:52 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Orange | 53 min |
| Jul 7, 5:27 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Cumberland, Harnett, Sampson, Wayne | 63 min |
| Jul 7, 5:31 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Cumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Sampson | 59 min |
| Jul 7, 5:35 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RAH | Cumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Sampson | 33 min |
| Jul 7, 5:54 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Vance, Warren | 66 min |
| Jul 7, 6:08 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RAH | Cumberland, Harnett, Sampson | 3 hr |
| Jul 7, 6:39 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Durham, Granville, Wake | 66 min |
| Jul 7, 6:42 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Chatham, Harnett, Lee, Moore | 40 min |
| Jul 7, 6:44 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Chatham, Durham, Granville, Harnett, Lee, Orange and 3 more | 61 min |
| Jul 7, 7:12 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RAH | Chatham, Durham, Orange, Wake | 10 min |
| Jul 7, 7:22 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RAH | Chatham, Durham, Orange, Wake | 3 hr |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Carolina, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.