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

In the wake of tragic and traumatic events, feelings like stress, anxiety, grief and depression are natural. Here is a list of crisis counseling and county-by-county resources in North Carolina, as well as nationally. These resources are available for you -- just call. 

Get Help: County-by-county guide to mental health and crisis resources in NC

 Mental health graphic

Amy Rickard, principal of Glenwood Elementary, was named Principal of the Year for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Amy Rickard, principal of Glenwood Elementary, was named Principal of the Year for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.

&quot;Results from the Harris Interactive survey show that Amy creates a positive environment in her school for students, staff and parents. At the same time, Glenwood made significant achievement gains on End-of-Grade tests last year under her leadership,&quot; Superintendent Neil Pedersen said in a press release. &quot;She will represent the district well in the Wachovia Principal of the Year Awards.&quot;

Rickard was recently named as the new principal for Elementary #10. She has been wrapping up her responsibilities at Glenwood before moving into her new role.

She will concentrate on planning for Elementary #10 on a full-time basis beginning Nov. 1. Elementary #10 is slated to open in August 2008.

Rickard has served as Glenwood Elementary's principal since July 2004. Prior to that, she was the assistant principal at both Rashkis Elementary and McDougle Elementary.

Rickard is a North Carolina Principal Fellow. She completed her administrative internship at McDougle Elementary. Rickard served as a language arts teach at Kannapolis Middle School before entering administration.

She holds a bachelor of arts degree in English education and psychology and a master's degree in school administration, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Rickard will now compile a portfolio and represent the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools in a regional competition sponsored by Wachovia.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Names Principal of the Year

A Code Red warning is now in effect in the Triangle due to smoke from the wildfires in Canada﻿. Limit your time outdoors, if possible.

WRAL Weather Alert Day: Code Red air quality alert in effect for Triangle

Air quality alert Wednesday

In a now-viral Facebook post, Nancy Norris claimed her daughter, Abby Norris, was left out of the school yearbook. 

'Heartbreaking:' Mother says cheerleader with special needs was left out of Clayton High School yearbook

Nancy and Abby Norris

Thousands of people swim, fish and boat across the surface of North Carolina's large recreational lakes each year. However, many have no idea that just beneath the surface rests remnants of lost history, forgotten by time.

Flooded history: Enormous NC lake hides multiple ghost towns, legendary monster

Lake Norman boating: There's history and legends beneath the waves

The couple had just finished dinner when the attacks took place. They're hoping their story will put others on alert.


North Carolina couple recovering after rabid fox attack

NEW YORK -- Mayor Eric Adams said in a news release late Tuesday that by 10 p.m. Eastern time, air quality in parts of New York City had become "very unhealthy," rising to 218 on the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality Index.

New York City's air 'very unhealthy,' mayor says

Canada_Wildfires_New_York_30355

A new research study shows children and teenagers dealing with anxiety disorders are more often being treated with medication and not counseling.

Children with anxiety are prescribed medications but little therapy

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

More than 30 people spoke during Tuesday night's Raleigh City Council meeting about the need to pay more for police officers in the city. Another public hearing will take place on June 12.

Raleigh City Council meets to discuss proposed pay raise for public safety workers

Two are in custody after a shooting injured seven people Tuesday at a high school graduation being held near Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond

Virignia police deliver update on high school graduation shooting near VCU in Richmond

Videos

The board considered two other names -- Paramount Parkway HS and Parkside HS -- but went with the more obvious one. Of Wake County's municipalities, only a few have no high school bearing its name, Morrisville included.

WCPSS announces new Morrisville high school will bear the town's name when it opens

Track: WCPSS 2017 Championship Track & Field (April 1, 2017)

The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV GOlf League have agreed to unify.

'I thought it was a joke': Golfers, golf fans react to PGA Tour's merger with LIV

PGA_Championship_Golf_62907

Mike McCauley, the athletic director at Orange High in Hillsborough since 2016, died Monday after a brief battle with illness, Orange County Schools announced Tuesday.

Orange AD Mike McCauley dies after brief battle with illness

Mike McCauley

The North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association released its girls' soccer all-state teams on Wednesday after the conclusion of the season over the weekend.