Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 21, NWS Raleigh, NC
NWS Raleigh, NC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 29, 2026, 10:39 PM EDT for 6 counties in North Carolina. It was in force for 51 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 29, 2026, 10:39 PM EDT (02:39 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 29, 2026, 11:30 PM EDT
- In force
- 51 min
- Issued by
- NWS Raleigh, NC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Franklin County, NC, Granville County, NC, Halifax County, NC, Nash County, NC, Vance County, NC, Warren County, NC
The radar
The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:43 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 severe thunderstorm 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 00:00Z, 2.7 hours before the alert went out and 159 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
- 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
The text
As transmitted.
808
WUUS52 KRAH 300239
SVRRAH
NCC069-077-083-127-181-185-300330-
/O.NEW.KRAH.SV.W.0021.260430T0239Z-260430T0330Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1039 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026
The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southern Vance County in central North Carolina...
Southwestern Warren County in central North Carolina...
Northern Nash County in central North Carolina...
Southeastern Granville County in central North Carolina...
West central Halifax County in central North Carolina...
Franklin County in central North Carolina...
* Until 1130 PM EDT.
* At 1038 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 7 miles east of Henderson to near Kittrell to 7
miles northwest of Franklinton, moving southeast at 45 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...
Rocky Mount, Henderson, Nashville, Louisburg, Franklinton,
Dortches, Kittrell, Red Oak, Spring Hope, and Castalia.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 95 between Mile Markers 150 and 138.
Interstate 85 between Mile Markers 194 and 195.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3612 7773 3594 7784 3590 7810 3619 7871
3627 7849 3638 7830
TIME...MOT...LOC 0238Z 301DEG 38KT 3629 7829 3620 7836 3617 7856
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Kren2 follow-up statements
416
WWUS52 KRAH 300305
SVSRAH
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1105 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026
NCC077-181-300315-
/O.CAN.KRAH.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260430T0330Z/
Vance NC-Granville NC-
1105 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHERN VANCE AND
SOUTHEASTERN GRANVILLE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
&&
LAT...LON 3612 7773 3594 7784 3590 7810 3605 7842
3614 7828 3629 7812
TIME...MOT...LOC 0305Z 307DEG 32KT 3615 7813 3606 7815 3604 7828
$$
NCC069-083-127-185-300330-
/O.CON.KRAH.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260430T0330Z/
Warren NC-Nash NC-Halifax NC-Franklin NC-
1105 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 PM EDT
FOR SOUTH CENTRAL WARREN...NORTHERN NASH...WEST CENTRAL HALIFAX AND
NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES...
At 1105 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 14 miles northeast of Bunn to near Louisburg, moving
southeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Rocky Mount, Nashville, Louisburg, Dortches, Red Oak, Spring Hope,
Castalia, Centerville, and Aventon.
This includes Interstate 95 between Mile Markers 150 and 138.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3612 7773 3594 7784 3590 7810 3605 7842
3614 7828 3629 7812
TIME...MOT...LOC 0305Z 307DEG 32KT 3615 7813 3606 7815 3604 7828
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Kren869
WWUS52 KRAH 300321
SVSRAH
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1121 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026
NCC185-300331-
/O.CAN.KRAH.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260430T0330Z/
Warren NC-
1121 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL WARREN COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
&&
LAT...LON 3612 7773 3594 7784 3590 7810 3599 7830
3609 7813 3621 7805 3620 7801 3623 7799
TIME...MOT...LOC 0321Z 296DEG 28KT 3610 7800 3601 7802 3599 7815
$$
NCC069-083-127-300330-
/O.CON.KRAH.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260430T0330Z/
Nash NC-Halifax NC-Franklin NC-
1121 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 PM EDT
FOR NORTHERN NASH...WEST CENTRAL HALIFAX AND EAST CENTRAL FRANKLIN
COUNTIES...
At 1121 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 9 miles northwest of Dortches to near Nashville to
near Bunn, moving southeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Rocky Mount, Nashville, Dortches, Red Oak, Spring Hope, Castalia, and
Aventon.
This includes Interstate 95 between Mile Markers 150 and 138.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3612 7773 3594 7784 3590 7810 3599 7830
3609 7813 3621 7805 3620 7801 3623 7799
TIME...MOT...LOC 0321Z 296DEG 28KT 3610 7800 3601 7802 3599 7815
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
KrenWhat 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, 3 hours 18 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, 3 hours 18 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, 18 hours 31 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, 1 hour 23 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
KrenSpecial weather statement, Apr 29, 9:43 PM EDT, 56 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
943 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026
NCZ073-300230-
Stanly NC-
943 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN STANLY COUNTY THROUGH
1030 PM EDT...
At 942 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Midland, or 10 miles southeast of Downtown Concord, moving east at 30
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea 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...
Fairview In Union County, Locust, Oakboro, and Stanfield.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3532 8041 3533 8015 3516 8021 3516 8022
3517 8024 3521 8025 3520 8028 3520 8030
3518 8031 3517 8035 3518 8037 3517 8039
3517 8042 3516 8044 3518 8051
TIME...MOT...LOC 0142Z 283DEG 24KT 3527 8052
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ASLocal storm report, Apr 29, 10:13 PM EDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1013 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0952 PM Hail Locust 35.26N 80.43W
04/29/2026 E1.00 Inch Stanly NC Public
1 inch hail observed near Locust, NC.
&&
NTLSpecial weather statement, Apr 29, 10:15 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1015 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026
NCZ073-074-083-084-300300-
Stanly NC-Anson NC-Richmond NC-Montgomery NC-
1015 PM EDT Wed Apr 29 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN ANSON...SOUTHERN
MONTGOMERY...NORTHWESTERN RICHMOND AND SOUTHEASTERN STANLY COUNTIES
THROUGH 1100 PM EDT...
At 1014 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles north of Ansonville, or 10 miles south of Albemarle, moving
east at 40 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...
Ansonville, Norwood, Mount Gilead, Ellerbe, Candor, Norman, Uwharrie
Haven, Covington, Pekin, and Lake Tillery.
This includes Interstate 73 between Mile Markers 26 and 43.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3533 8015 3529 7971 3528 7971 3525 7970
3525 7968 3523 7967 3498 7973 3515 8021
TIME...MOT...LOC 0214Z 280DEG 33KT 3523 8013
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ASThe office that day
Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 9:16 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Guilford, Person | 59 min |
| Apr 29, 9:29 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Alamance, Guilford, Orange | 46 min |
| Apr 29, 9:31 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Granville, Person, Vance | 44 min |
| Apr 29, 9:43 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Stanly | 47 min |
| Apr 29, 9:47 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Stanly | 43 min |
| Apr 29, 10:06 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Alamance, Orange | 39 min |
| Apr 29, 10:10 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Stanly | 12 min |
| Apr 29, 10:12 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, Warren | 48 min |
| Apr 29, 10:15 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Richmond | 45 min |
| Apr 29, 10:19 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Durham, Orange | 41 min |
| Apr 29, 10:37 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Chatham, Durham, Orange, Wake | 38 min |
| Apr 29, 10:49 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Richmond | 26 min |
| Apr 29, 11:15 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Wake | 60 min |
| Apr 29, 11:27 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Edgecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Nash | 63 min |
| Apr 30, 12:15 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Harnett, Johnston | 60 min |
| Apr 30, 12:19 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Wilson | 26 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.