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

Officials in a North Carolina county where a woman died in a mudslide are recommending voluntary evacuations of some areas as a subtropical storm threatens.

<b>COLUMBUS, N.C.</b> — Officials in a North Carolina county where a woman died in a mudslide are recommending voluntary evacuations of some areas as a subtropical storm threatens.

Emergency officials in Polk County said in a news release Friday that they're recommending that residents of some vulnerable areas evacuate by 5 p.m. Sunday. Storm conditions are expected to affect the county area Sunday night through early next week.

Real-time hurricane tracking and updates on tropical storms. Plus, learn what to do after a hurricane makes landfall. 

WRAL Hurricane Center with interactive tracker

Tracking the Tropics

An American Red Cross shelter will be open to evacuees beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday at Polk County Middle School in Mill Spring.

Florida, Alabama and Mississippi also launched emergency preparations Saturday ahead of the arrival of Subtropical Storm Alberto, which was churning north towards the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to strengthen until it reaches the Florida Gulf Coast, likely on Monday night.

The storm's path shows it heading due north over the southeastern United States through the middle of next week.

At 11 p.m. EDT Saturday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Alberto was just off the western tip of Cuba and moving north-northeast at 13 mph (20 kph). The storm had top sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was expected to strengthen as it moves over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

A subtropical storm like Alberto has a less defined and cooler center than a tropical storm, and its strongest winds are found farther from its center. Subtropical storms can develop into tropical storms, which in turn can strengthen into hurricanes.

About 5 to 10 inches (13-25 centimeters) of rain are possible along affected areas in eastern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, western Tennessee and the western Florida Panhandle. Isolated areas could see as much as 15 inches (38 centimeters).

Last week, a woman died when a mudslide crushed her home near the town of Tryon.

The county seat of Polk County, Columbus, is located about 85 miles west (137 kilometers) of Charlotte.

Officials recommend evacuations in western NC ahead of storm

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

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

Darryl Williams' cause of death is listed as a "sudden cardiac arrest in the setting of cocaine intoxication, physical exertion, conducted energy weapon use and physical restraint," the autopsy states.

Cardiac arrest, cocaine intoxication and Taser use: Autopsy outlines Darryl Williams' deadly encounter with Raleigh police

On Tuesday, the man's mother, Sonya Williams, said her son Darryl Williams was the man who died. He was 32 and lived in Raleigh.

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


Mostly sunny Thursday with temperatures in the 80s, still under code orange air quality

Air Quality alert for Wednesday and Thursday 

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

Expect your grocery bill to go down, economists forecast - but not to what it was before COVID

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)

Nathan Kelischek and Chris Zieber founded Appalachian Mountain Brewery in 2011 and have stayed true to the core principles of their business, garnering success along the way.

Western NC cousins and brewery owners buy back business from Anheuser-Busch

Appalachian Mountain Brewery founders

Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to sign the bill. Mobile betting in North Carolina could begin as soon as Jan. 8.

Online sports betting in NC could start as soon as January after House's approval

NC State tops UNC 30-27 in double-overtime finish

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.