Lee's remnants bring rainy end to Labor Day weekend

Scattered showers started popping up early Monday afternoon, while heavy rain fell on the mountains. Bands of stronger showers and storms drifted across the Triangle region late Monday afternoon. 

The main threat for severe weather remained west of the Triangle, where severe thunderstorm warnings and a tornado watch were issued. 

The front and Lee's remnants will continue to produce scattered showers and storms throughout Tuesday.

The heating of the day combined with Lee's showers could create the potential for some isolated severe weather in central North Carolina, WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said.

The main threat will be flooding from significant rainfall. 

The mountains could see 3 to 5 inches, with amounts up to 9 inches in places. Meanwhile, the Triangle region will likely get 2 to 3 inches, while the coastal plain will get around a half-inch.

A flash flood watch covers the Triangle, including Wake, Durham, Orange and Granville counties, through 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The rain showers and storms will taper off throughout Wednesday.

Drier weather will set in by Thursday, bringing partly sunny skies and highs around 80 degrees for the rest of the week.

For now, it looks like Hurricane Katia, which grew to a Category 4 storm with winds of 135 mph in the Atlantic on Monday, won't affect North Carolina, Maze said.

The most recent forecast track has Katia turning north late Wednesday or early Thursday and heading northeast over the open Atlantic Ocean.

Katia is also expected to weaken as it encounters drier air in the coming days, Maze said.