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RALEIGH — The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for portions of central North Carolina effective until 1 a.m. Saturday.
Thunderstorms are expected ahead of a strong cold front Friday evening. Tornadoes, hail up to 1 inch in diameter, thunderstorm wind gusts of up to 70 mph, and dangerous lightning are possible in these areas.
The counties affected by the watch include Alamance, Anson, Chatham, Cumberland, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Orange, Person, Randolph, Richmond, Scotland, Stanly, Vance and Wake.
A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. People in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.
Stay tuned to WRAL-News or the WRAL NewsChannel for the latest WeatherCenter coverage.
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