Triangle Sees Some Showers; More on Way Friday

The Triangle got some light showers Thursday, but the area is expected to get some heavy rain and thunderstorms Friday afternoon and night, according to WRAL's Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service recorded 2.89 inches of rain in Roanoke Rapids, 1.79 in Raleigh and Rocky Mount, 1.69 in Chapel Hill, 1.45 in Erwin and .48 in Louisburg.

“[The rain] is wonderful,” said WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. “It’s all anyone’s talking about.”

The chances for rain are good through Saturday morning, when a cold front will bring cooler and drier air to the region.

Tornado warnings were issued for Sampson and Duplin counties about 3 p.m. after a funnel cloud was spotted near the Sampson-Duplin county line. The warnings expired at 3:30 p.m., and no damage or injuries were reported.

While the rain is a welcome sight, officials urge residents to remember North Carolina needs at least 15 inches of rainfall to ease statewide drought conditions.

"The rain we are getting this week, while welcome, is not going to be enough to get us out of this drought," said Gov. Mike Easley. "We cannot make it rain as much as we need, although I know you would if you could, so we must do even more to conserve the water we have."

Gardner echoed those statements saying she doesn’t expect the latest rain to affect the drought conditions much.

“It’s going to take a lot of rain,” she said.