Severe thunderstorm watch canceled; Flood watch starts at 12 a.m. Sunday

A severe flood watch was issued in 70 N.C. counties and one Virginia county, including Wake, Cumberland, Durham, Johnston, and Orange.

"Severe weather will not last throughout the night," WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said. "It will slowly push through the south," Wilmoth said. "But there will be some spotty showers possible tonight."

"Once the front is south of us, things will start to quiet down as far as severe weather. It will become more of a heavy rainfall."

As the evening goes on, though, the chance for rain rises in counties to the north of the Triangle. Some storms could produce gusty winds, hail and localized heavy rain.

The Triangle remained on the warm side of a cold front sweeping down through the area for most of the day. As that front sinks southward, though, temperatures will cool down through Tuesday, with highs 25 to 30 degrees cooler than Saturday's highs in the mid-80s.

Sunday will bring more widespread coverage of rain in the afternoon. Temperatures should remain cloudy and breezy. Highs will stay in the 50s from the Triangle northward, with 60s to low 70s possible in the south, where there will be a better chance of thunderstorms.

"Basically at any point tomorrow, it could be raining," Wilmoth said. "But I don't think it's going to be raining the whole day."

"Showers are probably here at least through the late morning on Tuesday," Wilmoth said.

Widespread rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected Sunday through Monday evening. Total rainfall amounts from the storm are expected to range between 3 to 5 inches, with 6 inches possible in some areas.