Rain chance stays in Triangle forecast as temperatures climb

Thursday will be "significantly drier" after days of steady rain and cloudy skies, WRAL meteorologist Zach Maloch said.

While a chance of rain, especially afternoon thunderstorms, stays in the forecast through the weekend and into next week, none of those days will be a washout.

Thursday started out overcast with early morning fog and will stay partly cloudy as temperatures climb toward 80 degrees. The chance for showers or storms is only about 30%.

The chance about doubles for Friday afternoon, putting outdoor plans for Friday evening in question.

"Some of the storms that develop Friday afternoon could dump some heavy rain," Maloch said.

Rain chances dip again, but not to zero, for Saturday – the first day of summer – and Sunday – Father's Day. Temperatures gradually warm through the 80s, and a forecast high on Monday is 92 degrees.

To the east of the Triangle, areas inundated with rain earlier in the week face the threat of flooding as rivers rise.

After a day of heavy rains, water rescues and closed roads across Nash, Vance and Granville counties on Wednesday, the Tar and its tributaries are again a threat to flood. The National Weather Service has posted flood warnings for Edgecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Lenoir, Nash and Warren counties in the northeastern part of the state, some lasting through Friday.

Parts of U.S. 64 Business, U.S. Highway 301 and N.C. Highway 97 (Atlantic Avenue) were expected to be closed through Thursday morning.