Weather

Skies should dry by Tuesday morning

Parts of central and eastern North Carolina could see large hail and damaging winds as severe thunderstorms continue to move through the state Monday afternoon and evening.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Parts of central and eastern North Carolina saw large hail and damaging winds as severe thunderstorms moved through the state Monday afternoon and evening.

Several severe thunderstorm warnings were issued throughout the evening with most expiring by midnight. According to WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze, storms could linger until around the area until about midnight.

"The main threat with these storms will be large hail and damaging wind gusts," Maze said. "Ping pong ball-sized hail is expected as the storms move east at 35 mph."

Areas north of Durham reported quarter-sized hail and dark clouds during the evening commute.

Maze said that a new system moving in from Charlotte late Monday night could bring more rain to the region, but that round of precipitation would not be severe. Maze said the thunderstorms would gradually die down overnight and should be gone by about 2 a.m.

Skies will clear out overnight and into Tuesday, setting up a beautiful day for North Carolina's primary election. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday and are open until 7:30 p.m.

Maze said highs will once again be near 80 degrees under sunny skies.

Wednesday will be sunny, too, and it will include the warmest temperatures of the week. Highs could reach the low 80s Wednesday.

"After that, we'll begin to see some cooler air arrive for the end of the week and weekend," WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. "Our highs by Saturday and Sunday could be back in the 60s, which is near normal for this time of year."

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