Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

8:47 p.m. • 5-18-13

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Sun: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 78° F
  • Mon: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 78° F
  • Tue: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 83° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Hurricane Dangers: Wind, Water & At-Risk Zones

When a Hurricane Threatens


The National Hurricane Center has devised a way to show the relative risk of hurricane conditions. Risk ranges from nearly none (yellow) to high (red). The size of the various risk areas depends on the certainty of the prediction and the strength of the hurricane.

Hurricane diagram

Storm Surge


The No. 1one killer in a hurricane, the surge is the rise of water level, starting gradually, then increasing rapidly as the eye approaches. The surge can range from a few feet to 20 feet, depending on the strength of the hurricane.

Storm surge diagram

Winds


A major threat inland. A doubling of wind speed increases the destructive force four times. Shallow-rooted trees can be blown down more than 100 miles inland, as Fran did in the Triangle in 1996 and Hugo did in Charlotte in 1989.

Tornado diagram

Tornadoes


Some hurricanes trigger tornadoes as they make landfall. Tornadoes are most common far to the right of the storm path on the outer edge of the high winds.

Multimedia Spotlight

more
WRAL Weather on Twitter
  2. WRALAimee: We might have a rain delay in the making for Durham Bulls game. Storms about 35 miles to the south-moving north. http://t.co/30RIrWCKwO
      — Saturday, May 18, 2013 7:58 PM
  4. WRALAimee: Storms very likely NOT to be severe, but just enough to keep me at work while the in-laws are visiting from TX...
      — Saturday, May 18, 2013 6:50 PM
  6. wralweather: Forecast: Tonight, cloudy with showers likely, low 65°. Tomorrow, thunderstorm, high 78°. http://t.co/RMcYv6WbFE
      — Saturday, May 18, 2013 5:00 PM
  8. nsj: Play on. MT @JenCarfagno: Odds of winning #Powerball: 1 in 175M …Your house hit by a tornado: 1 in 70M …Being struck by lightning: 1 in 280K
      — Saturday, May 18, 2013 1:37 PM
  10. nsj: Amen! RT @kenmedlin: CBS Sports reporting Bobcats in the process of bringing Hornets name back to Charlotte... Revive the Hive!
      — Saturday, May 18, 2013 1:13 PM
  12. nsj: And while I’m handing out kudos, thanks to @TWC_Help, including MG, & tech Chris. Online support was great, and work was on time and quick!
      — Saturday, May 18, 2013 1:13 PM
  14. nsj: Not sure why it took so long, but I finally stopped by the Red Eye BBQ truck in Apex today. Found their brisket to be quite good.
      — Saturday, May 18, 2013 1:11 PM
  16. wralweather: Today's air quality forecast: yellow (Moderate)
      — Saturday, May 18, 2013 11:30 AM

Follow: WeatherCenter | Maze | Fishel | Gardner | Johnson | Wilmoth