Raleigh is waking up mostly clear and near 63°F at Raleigh–Durham International Airport early Wednesday morning, May 6, with a quick warmup to the low 80s on tap this afternoon. Breezy southwest winds will make it feel a bit warmer, but the real headline arrives later tonight when showers and thunderstorms move in.
Afternoon Heat and Gusty Winds
Wednesday, May 6 will top out near 83°F, with southwest winds of 8 to 15 mph and gusts into the mid-20s expected this afternoon. Those gusts are strong enough to send patio furniture, trash cans and other loose items on a short road trip, so bring them in or tie them down before peak winds arrive. Winds should ease behind any strong cells, although they can briefly spike inside passing storms.
Tonight's Thunderstorm Window
The main storm window runs from about 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 through 1 a.m. Thursday, May 7. During that stretch, showers and thunderstorms are likely, with a 90% chance of precipitation and new rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Any stronger storms could bring heavy downpours, frequent lightning and gusty winds, with brief urban or poor-drainage flooding possible. Stay weather-aware and have a backup plan to move outdoor events inside during that window, according to the National Weather Service.
Thursday Into The Weekend
Showers and isolated thunderstorms may linger into Thursday morning, May 7, with cooler highs near 69°F as the front pushes through. By Friday, May 8, skies should trend drier and cooler. A brief dry spell looks likely on Saturday, May 9, before rain chances tick back up Sunday and Monday, May 10–11, as another frontal system approaches. For context on the evolving setup and earlier guidance, see our May 5 update.
How To Prepare
Plan to bring outdoor activities inside Wednesday night, secure lightweight items this afternoon, and allow extra time for evening commutes on May 6 and for Thursday morning, May 7. If skies start changing quickly, lightning flashes nearby or rain suddenly turns heavy, head indoors, avoid flooded roads and keep an eye on any watches or warnings from local officials.
