Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 13, NWS Raleigh, NC

April 29, 2026Alamance County, Guilford County, Orange County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 29, 2026, 9:29 PM EDT for Alamance County, Guilford County, Orange County, North Carolina. It was in force for 46 min. 5 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
Apr 29, 2026, 9:29 PM EDT (01:29 UTC)
Expired
Apr 29, 2026, 10:15 PM EDT
In force
46 min
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Alamance County, NC, Guilford County, NC, Orange County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 113 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:30 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 29, 9:45 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG5 Nne Lake Townsend, NCHundred power outages reported due to trees on powerlines.
Apr 29, 9:48 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG4 Nnw Lake Townsend, NCHundred power outages from trees down on power lines.
Apr 29, 10:10 PM EDTHAIL 1Mebane, NC
Apr 29, 10:12 PM EDTHAIL 1.253 Sw Mebane, NCPicture passed along via social media shows a hail stone ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches. Time and approximate location estimated from radar.
Apr 29, 10:15 PM EDTHAIL 0.752 S Mebane, NCmPING report of dime sized hail near the 3900 block along Long Meadow Drive.

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 16 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 00:00Z, 1.5 hours before the alert went out and 31 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 00:00Z on 2026-04-30Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 512 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 00:00Z on 2026-04-30The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 142 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
512 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-19 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1132 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
142 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
270 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.5
Supercell composite
3.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

866 
WUUS52 KRAH 300129
SVRRAH
NCC001-081-135-300215-
/O.NEW.KRAH.SV.W.0013.260430T0129Z-260430T0215Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
929 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northern Alamance County in central North Carolina...
  Northern Orange County in central North Carolina...
  Northern Guilford County in central North Carolina...

* Until 1015 PM EDT.

* At 929 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Reidsville to near Ellisboro, moving southeast
  at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage 
           to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Greensboro, Burlington, Graham, Hillsborough, Mebane, Elon,
  McLeansville, Summerfield, Gibsonville, and Stokesdale.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 85 between Mile Markers 127 and 131.
 Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 132 and 161, and between Mile
Markers 217 and 226.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3624 7957 3625 7949 3624 7915 3610 7901
      3598 7950 3602 7982 3622 8004 3626 8004
TIME...MOT...LOC 0129Z 300DEG 28KT 3630 7964 3626 7994 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Kren
3 follow-up statements
028 
WWUS52 KRAH 300143
SVSRAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
943 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

NCC001-081-135-300215-
/O.CON.KRAH.SV.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260430T0215Z/
Alamance NC-Orange NC-Guilford NC-
943 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM EDT
FOR NORTHERN ALAMANCE...NORTHERN ORANGE AND NORTHERN GUILFORD
COUNTIES...

At 943 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Camp Springs to 7 miles southwest of Monroeton,
moving southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Greensboro, Burlington, Graham, Hillsborough, Mebane, Elon,
McLeansville, Summerfield, Gibsonville, and Stokesdale.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 85 between Mile Markers 127 and 131.
 Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 132 and 161, and between Mile
Markers 217 and 226.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3624 7957 3625 7949 3624 7915 3610 7901
      3598 7950 3602 7982 3622 8004 3626 8004
TIME...MOT...LOC 0143Z 303DEG 31KT 3623 7952 3620 7983 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Kren
915 
WWUS52 KRAH 300155
SVSRAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
955 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

NCC001-081-135-300215-
/O.CON.KRAH.SV.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260430T0215Z/
Alamance NC-Orange NC-Guilford NC-
955 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM EDT
FOR NORTHERN ALAMANCE...NORTHERN ORANGE AND NORTHEASTERN GUILFORD
COUNTIES...

At 955 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 6 miles northeast of Burlington to near McLeansville,
moving southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Greensboro, Burlington, Graham, Hillsborough, Mebane, Elon,
McLeansville, Gibsonville, Haw River, and Swepsonville.

This includes Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 132 and 161.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3624 7957 3625 7949 3624 7915 3610 7901
      3598 7950 3609 7976 3616 7982 3623 7971
TIME...MOT...LOC 0155Z 296DEG 33KT 3617 7937 3614 7970 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Kren
201 
WWUS52 KRAH 300207
SVSRAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1007 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

NCC081-300217-
/O.CAN.KRAH.SV.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260430T0215Z/
Guilford NC-
1007 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN GUILFORD COUNTY
IS CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of 
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

&&

LAT...LON 3608 7950 3620 7932 3610 7901 3598 7949
TIME...MOT...LOC 0207Z 312DEG 29KT 3607 7932 

$$

NCC001-135-300215-
/O.CON.KRAH.SV.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260430T0215Z/
Alamance NC-Orange NC-
1007 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM EDT
FOR CENTRAL ALAMANCE AND NORTHERN ORANGE COUNTIES...

At 1007 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Mebane, or
near Graham, moving southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Burlington, Graham, Hillsborough, Mebane, Haw River, Swepsonville,
Alamance, and Efland.

This includes Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 142 and 161.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3608 7950 3620 7932 3610 7901 3598 7949
TIME...MOT...LOC 0207Z 312DEG 29KT 3607 7932 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Kren

What 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 Apr 29, 7:21 PM EDT, 2 hours 8 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • As of 335 PM Wednesday... 1) Although the Marginal(level 1 of 5) risk remains throughout cntl NC, the relative greatest threat will exist over the Piedmont, mainly between 8 PM and 11 PM. 2) Next widespread chance for precipitation comes Friday night through Saturday night. 3) Temperatures will be near normal for the end of the work week drop below normal for Saturday and Sunday, then rise above normal for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 29, 7:21 PM EDT, 2 hours 8 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
721 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...

* Although the Marginal (level 1 of 5) risk remains throughout cntl
  NC, the most likely window for the relative greatest threat will
  exist over the Piedmont between 8 PM and 11 PM.

* Updated the aviation discussion to reflect the latest thoughts on
  the convective evolution tonight and timing for the 00z Thurs TAFs.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
As of 335 PM Wednesday...

1) Although the Marginal(level 1 of 5) risk remains throughout cntl
NC, the relative greatest threat will exist over the Piedmont,
mainly between 8 PM and 11 PM.

2) Next widespread chance for precipitation comes Friday night
through Saturday night.

3) Temperatures will be near normal for the end of the work week
drop below normal for Saturday and Sunday, then rise above normal
for Tuesday and Wednesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
As of 335 PM Wednesday..

KEY MESSAGE 1... Although the Marginal(level 1 of 5) risk remains
throughout cntl NC, the relative greatest threat will exist over the
Piedmont, mainly between 8 PM and 11 PM.

Widespread (low) overcast, and also subsidence in the wake of a
convectively-amplified trough and MCVs across the Southeast since
last night, have kept cntl NC stable and dry today. However, the
poleward retreat of a warm front, which extended at 19Z from a lee
low near HKY esewd across the Sandhills and srn Coastal Plain, will
yield lifting and scattering of the low clouds and related ssw to
nne diurnal destabilization across cntl NC through 22-23Z. Despite
what may be a relative minimum in larger-scale forcing for ascent
over cntl NC between now and 06Z, between the aforementioned
convectively-amplified trough (and 70 meter 500 mb height falls
observed at GSO at 12Z) and a perturbation that will shear quickly
ewd from CO this afternoon to the srn Middle Atlantic early Thu,
glancing influence from a couple of other shortwave perturbations
pivoting across the Great Lakes may prove sufficient to support the
development of showers/storms just upstream of cntl NC this
afternoon-evening. Specifically, scattered cells may develop along a
surface trough in the immediate lee of the Appalachians, one
anchored by the aforementioned lee low near KHKY, and also possibly
over the Blue Ridge in the next few hours - all of which should then
move generally ewd with wly mean winds of 35-40 kts, and should some
indeed develop, across cntl NC between 22Z and 03-04Z. VWP data and
forecast hodographs depict veering in the lowest 2-3 kilometers
beneath much stronger wly flow (50-90 kts) through the mid and upr-
levels. Those (supercell) shear profiles will conditionally support
splitting cells capable of producing hail and locally damaging wind
gusts. Low-level shear will also be adequately strong to support
isolated tornado potential, with strengthening of that shear with at
least some nocturnal, low-level flow acceleration centered around
00Z. That isolated tornado potential would be highest for right-
moving cells whose motions would be favorably aligned along the
retreating surface warm front across the Piedmont, where both shear
and low LCLs would also be relatively maximized.

KEY MESSAGE 2... Next widespread chance for precipitation comes
Friday night through Saturday night.

Tonight's cold front will drop south along the Gulf Coast, become
nearly stationary along the coast through Friday, then have a
coastal low develop along the Atlantic coastline. While the forecast
has trended drier for Friday evening, rain should begin to move into
the region from south to north Friday night into Saturday, with the
greatest chances of rain occurring Saturday morning. Rain chances
will then decrease, coming to an end by midnight. While this is
still three to four days away, the current forecast calls for
anywhere between a quarter inch of rain in the Triad to an inch of
rain in the southeast across Sampson county. Warmer temperatures
between 500 and 700 mb should limit any instability and have removed
any mention of thunder from the forecast.

KEY MESSAGE 3... Temperatures will be near normal for the end of the
work week, drop below normal for Saturday and Sunday, then rise
above normal for Tuesday and Wednesday.

While tonight's front will bring drier air into the region, the
temperature of the new air mass will not be much different, and
highs on Thursday and Friday should be in the low to mid 70s. As the
coastal low develops, winds will take on a northerly component,
resulting in a chilly day on Saturday - locations near the VA/NC
border will struggle to reach 60 degrees, with low 60s elsewhere.
With clearing skies on Sunday as the low departs, temperatures will
climb slightly, but still remain mostly in the 60s. Monday will be a
transitional day with temperatures near normal, then southerly flow
will help raise highs into the 80s on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Saturday night should be the coldest night, with temperatures
ranging from the upper 30s to the mid 40s - too warm for concern
about frost potential.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 715 PM Wednesday...

MVFR cigs has cleared central NC terminals with scattered 3,500 to
5,000 ft cumulus in its wake. Convection along and immediately ahead
of a cold front moving into/through southwest VA is expected to
shift across central NC between 00z until approximately 05z.
Scattered to locally numerous showers and mostly isolated
thunderstorms may affect any central NC terminals and bring briefly
heavy rain, risk for infrequent lightning, and gusty winds. Small
hail can't be ruled out from the stronger convective clusters.

Areas of fog and stratus may develop in the wake of that convection
early tonight, especially at RWI, amid residually moist low-levels
and ahead of a cold front and following drier air and light nwly
flow that will move across the region overnight. Mid and high-level
(VFR) ceilings and occasional light rain may lift into FAY Fri
morning; prevailing flight restrictions are not expected at this
time.

Outlook: Rain and flight restrictions will accompany an area low
pressure that is forecast to track along the coast of the Carolinas
on Sat.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...MWS/TG
AVIATION...AS/MWS
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 29, 4:08 AM EDT, 17 hours 21 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
408 AM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

NCZ007>011-021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-300815-
Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-
Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake-
Johnston-Wilson-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson-
Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson-
408 AM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

A few isolated strong to severe storms may be possible this afternoon
and evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 29, 9:16 PM EDT, 13 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
916 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

NCZ007-008-022>024-300215-
Guilford NC-Alamance NC-Person NC-Granville NC-Orange NC-
916 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN ALAMANCE...PERSON...
NORTHERN ORANGE...NORTHWESTERN GRANVILLE AND NORTHERN GUILFORD
COUNTIES THROUGH 1015 PM EDT...

At 915 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Elmo to near Wentworth to Pine Hall.
Movement was southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Greensboro, Burlington, Graham, Roxboro, Mebane, Elon, McLeansville,
Concord, Summerfield, and Gibsonville.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 85 between Mile Markers 128 and 131.
 Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 132 and 155, and between Mile
Markers 221 and 226.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3630 7883 3607 7926 3602 7977 3622 8004
      3626 8004 3624 7915 3654 7914 3654 7859
TIME...MOT...LOC 0115Z 306DEG 28KT 3661 7918 3636 7973 3631 8003

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Kren

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 29, 9:16 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHGuilford, Person59 min
Apr 29, 9:31 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHGranville, Person, Vance44 min
Apr 29, 9:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHStanly47 min
Apr 29, 9:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHStanly43 min
Apr 29, 10:06 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance, Orange39 min
Apr 29, 10:10 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHStanly12 min
Apr 29, 10:12 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHFranklin, Granville, Person, Vance, Warren48 min
Apr 29, 10:15 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHRichmond45 min
Apr 29, 10:19 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDurham, Orange41 min
Apr 29, 10:37 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHChatham, Durham, Orange, Wake38 min
Apr 29, 10:39 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHFranklin, Granville, Halifax, Nash, Vance, Warren51 min
Apr 29, 10:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHRichmond26 min
Apr 29, 11:15 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHWake60 min
Apr 29, 11:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHEdgecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Nash63 min
Apr 30, 12:15 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHHarnett, Johnston60 min
Apr 30, 12:19 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHWilson26 min

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.