Rainfall totals climb as storms persist around Triangle

Rainfall totals around the central part of the state ranged from about 1.1 inches in Roxboro to more than 1.2 inches in Erwin, while Raleigh gathered almost 1.4 inches. The lingering storms, though, are helping to combat abnormally dry conditions registered by the area's drought monitor.

"As you leave the house today, plan to grab your raincoat or your umbrella," said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. "Certainly, you can see that rain or hear it on your roof."

The storms began to thin out around noon in counties south of the Triangle. Storms will continue to lighten up throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

Flooding closed Tryon Road between Hammond Road and Wilmington Street in south Raleigh on Monday afternoon.

Temperatures held steady in the 40s and 50s through the morning, and those numbers won't change much even into Tuesday.

Monday's storms will break around 5 p.m., but more rain is on its way. Tuesday morning will usher in a second wave of rain that won't let up until the afternoon.

A third wave of rain will dissipate over the mountains in the western part of the state, but it will give way to colder air near the end of the week.