Afternoon storms possible as low pressure system slogs eastward

Temperatures were in the upper 60s at lunchtime in the Triangle, and afternoon warming into the low 70s could help create unstable conditions as moisture moves into the state from the south and east.

Storms likely won't be severe, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said, but any storms that do develop could dump heavy rain and small hail. 

We're watching to see little patches of rain and thunderstorms pop up," she said. "Once those do, we could see scattered thunderstorms across the area."

Rain chances will linger Wednesday, and high temperatures will top out in the upper 60s. 

Sunshine and warmer temperatures will return to the Triangle for the final two days of the work week. Thursday's forecast high of 80 degrees would be the first day of above average temperatures in the Triangle for more than two weeks. 

Temperatures could top out in the mid-80s Friday, Gardner said. 

"The end of the week looks beautiful, but expect some showers and storms to be the dominant feature of the weekend forecast," she said. "On Mother's Day, we could see some clearing later in the day after a rainy start."