When looking at developing systems, one of the most important pieces of technology that we have are the spaghetti model plots. Aptly named for their unique pasta-like appearance, these charts depict many different outcomes or simulations for a given storm. Billions of computer calculations are run with different potential atmospheric conditions (i.e., temperature, cloud cover, winds, etc.). The result is shown to be the individual strand, often represented by separate colors. There are many potential outcomes, and no model is 100% accurate. 

WRAL Weather lesson: Many models for tracking storms look like spaghetti, combine to improve forecast

Track and model plots

Check out summer movies with our cheap and free movies database, which lists 26 options for inexpensive summer movie fun.

Summer movie guide: 25 places for free, cheap kid-friendly movies

Summer movies - free movies

Found a deal on this first day of August? Here's the place to share it!

Found a deal on this first day of August? Here's the place to share it so we can all put more in our polka dot piggy banks!

Share the deals 8/1

Polka dot piggy bank

Four people were killed Wednesday and one person was hospitalized after a head-on crash on N.C. Highway 690 in Moore County

4 people killed, 3 identified in head-on crash on Moore County highway 

Four people killed in Moore County crash

The NC Division of Air Quality has replaced the code red with a code orange air quality alert.


Mostly sunny Thursday with temps in the 80s, still under Code Orange air quality

Air Quality alert for Wednesday and Thursday 

NEW YORK (AP) — On air quality maps, purple signifies the worst of it. In reality, it's a thick, hazardous haze that’s disrupting daily life for millions of people across the U.S. and Canada, blotting out skylines and turning skies orange.

Smoky haze blanketing US, Canada could last for days as wildfires rage, winds won't budge

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Smoke from Canadian wildfires has traveled into the United States, resulting in a number of air quality alerts issued since May. (AP Photos)

Photos: Smoke from Canada wildfires pollutes US air

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Farmer Brooks Barnes says he had a burn permit and blames drivers braking too fast for a pileup on I-795 that involved two dozen vehicles.

Farmer defends decision to burn fields before pileup crash near I-795

Tractor in field, farming

Get the latest WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast whenever you need it, including the DUALDoppler5000 and the 7-Day Forecast.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Nightly N.C. Education Lottery drawings during the 11 p.m. News.

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 drawings are held at 3 p.m. daily. They can be seen as live or on-demand video.

Daytime Pick 3 and Pick 4 Drawing

The bill would allow betting on professional, college and other sports on phones or other electronic devices.

NC lawmakers take final vote to legalize online sports gambling

Kilauea, the second largest volcano in Hawaii, began erupting on Wednesday after a three-month pause, U.S. Geological Survey officials said.

Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, is erupting

Videos

The N.C. Baseball Coaches Association has released its all-state teams for the 2023 season.

N.C. Baseball Coaches Association releases all-state teams

Baseball: South Brunswick vs Hoggard (Mar. 21, 2023)

Bulls shortstop Osleivis Basabe, center fielder Kameron Misner and designated hitter Ben Gamel each drove in a run and third baseman Tristan Gray homered, while 1B Taylor Motter homered and SS Masyn Winn and C Ivan Herrera each drove in two runs in Memphis' 9-4 victory over the Durham Bulls Wednesday evening at Autozone Park.

Memphis outslugs Durham, 9-4

Durham Bulls Logo

Denny Dalton is facing criminal charges for alleged sex crimes with students.

Erwin high school teacher facing sex charges for alleged crimes with students

Economists believe grocery inflation should continue improving, but expect it to remain above pre-pandemic levels for the duration of the year.