Strong storm crosses NC; serene weather on the way Sunday

A powerful storm crossed North Carolina on Saturday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue numerous tornado watches and warnings. The strong winds toppled trees and damaged property across the Triangle.

The Raleigh area has a roughly .05 percent chance of seeing a tornado this time of year, according to Patrick Marsh, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services' Storm Prediction Center.

As of 3 p.m., Raleigh-Durham International Airport reported .80 inches of rain. Fayetteville saw nearly 3 inches and Greensboro had more than 2 inches.

Sunday's weather will be much more serene. It will be clear and cooler, as high temperatures return to the mid-50s under sunny skies.

"If you have a choice this weekend as to what day to head outside and do things, Sunday is the day to choose," Fishel said. "It will be cooler, but it will be sunny."

Sunshine will stay put on Monday, and the next chance for rain showers arrives Tuesday.