Heavy rains could create flash flood hazard, soak fans for Friday football games

As snow from the weekend continues to melt, heavy rain falling across the state on Friday and Saturday will further saturating the ground and pour into rivers, creating the risk for flash flooding.

“It is going to be a wash-out today,” WRAL Weather executive producer Aimee Wilmoth said Friday morning. “Today is going to be one of those days where you just have to have that rain gear with you.”

That's bad timing for fans of high school football headed to state championship games at UNC and Duke Friday night. Both games are scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. There is a 100 percent chance of precipitation throughout the evening hours, and some rain showers could be heavy.

The central part of the state could see between 1 to 2 inches of rain. Between 2 and 3 inches is possible to the south and east of Raleigh.

"Be prepared for a mess," Wilmoth said.

Flooding is most likely to happen during Friday evening.

See which NC rivers are expected to flood

On Saturday, games are scheduled to be played beginning at 11 a.m. at three locations – UNC's Kenan Stadium, Duke's Wallace-Wade Stadium and Carter-Finley Stadium on the N.C. State campus.

By that time, the precipitation will have dropped to a mere 70 percent chance with high temperatures in the mid-50s.

"Rain will not be as widespread or steady as it was Friday, but still be prepared for a few showers if you have any outdoor plans," Wilmoth said.

After dark on Saturday night, the rain chances drop further, but the possibility for scattered showers sticks around through most of Sunday.

Monday looks like the nicest day of the seven-day forecast, with mostly clear skies and a high temperature above 60 degrees.

As the work week wears on, daytime highs are forecast in the low 50s with overnight lows near freezing. The next chance of rain returns next Thursday.