Rain lingers overnight; Wednesday warmer with sunshine

That prompted the National Weather Service to issue urban and small-stream flood advisories for several counties.

In Johnston County standing water was reported at Interstate 40 and Interstate 95.

Water also rose at Little Creek along N.C. Highway 42 in Clayton.

Among several reports of flooding in Raleigh, was northbound South Saunders Street at I-40, where flooding stalled a car.

Flooding was also reported at Jones Sausage and Rock Quarry roads, where authorities reported cars traveling through rising water.

Between Garner and Clayton, 4.5 to 6 inches fell on Tuesday, WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said. In Raleigh, the downtown area saw about 4 inches.

Rain and wrecks delayed morning commutes for up to an hour or more on major thoroughfares and interstates, including I-40 through Durham, Wake and Johnston counties, Interstate 540 in Wake County, N.C. Highway 142 in Durham.

About a dozen or more wrecks were reported on other roadways in the Triangle, including a fatal motorcycle wreck in Cary that closed Davis Drive at Salem Church Road for several hours.

The rain is expected to linger overnight, but the cooler temperatures – Raleigh's high for Tuesday was 83 degrees – will go away.

Wednesday will be warmer, with a high of 86, and Thursday, with a high of 92.

"We start out with clouds and a chance for rain in the morning Wednesday, but it lifts out in the afternoon.  It should be brighter and warmer," Maze said.

Drier, cooler conditions are expected to return, though, just in time for the weekend with high temperatures being in the low- to mid-80s.