Raleigh woke up under a low gray ceiling this morning, with clouds locked in and temperatures near 59°F at Raleigh–Durham International Airport. The air is muggy, the cloud ceilings are low, and the quiet start is not expected to last. Scattered showers this morning are forecast to build into several rounds of showers and thunderstorms later today and on through the holiday weekend. Highs should still reach around 81°F this afternoon, but repeated downpours could make even simple outdoor plans feel like a moving target.
Showers Arrive In Waves
Scattered rain through mid-morning is expected to intensify into more widespread storms by the afternoon, with the late-afternoon and early-evening commute at higher risk for downpours. The pattern favors bursts of heavy rain moving through in separate waves rather than a single, continuous line, so some neighborhoods may slog through long stretches of rain while others stay mostly dry. Light southeast winds this afternoon will shift to the east tonight as additional rounds of showers continue to roll through.
Rain Totals And Flood Risk
Forecasts show new rainfall amounts of a tenth to a quarter inch today, with higher totals likely through the weekend and into next week. Many guidance sets bring multi-day totals around 2 to 4 inches across parts of central North Carolina, with locally higher amounts possible. That raises a localized flash-flood and nuisance-flooding risk in poor-drainage spots and could lead to slow, very wet commutes through midweek. This outlook is according to the National Weather Service Raleigh office.
Holiday Plans And Local Events
Memorial Day observances and neighborhood events across the Triangle scheduled for Monday, May 25 may be interrupted by waves of showers and thunderstorms, so organizers and attendees should have indoor backup plans ready. For a roundup of local ceremonies and weekend events, check the city guide on DoRaleigh.
What To Do Today
Plan on a waterproof layer and an umbrella, build in extra travel time, and avoid driving through standing water. Keep an eye on updated forecasts and local alerts, especially if heavier bands of rain set up over your neighborhood.
