Irma’s weakened to a Category 1 storm overnight as it approaches Tampa, and its threat on central North Carolina remains very minimal.
Raleigh, N. C. — Irma’s weakened to a Category 1 storm overnight as it approaches Tampa, and its threat on central North Carolina remains very minimal.
The storm’s latest westerly path means the western half of North Carolina could experience high winds and even some flash flooding into Monday. Locally, cloudy skies and some bands of showers will start to develop midday, according to WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth. Winds may gust to around 25 to 40 mph late in the day, especially south and west of the Triangle.
The latest forecast path from the National Hurricane Center predicts Irma to cross into Georgia, bypassing Atlanta to the west and hitting Alabama on Tuesday and Tennessee on Wednesday.
According to Wilmoth, the Triangle will likely see some spotty showers on Monday with heavier rain moving in overnight. Up to 3 inches of rain could fall, and there could be some localized flash flooding or some spotty power outages, but the threat for severe weather remains rather low.
The western portion of the state will be more affected than the Triangle, with 2 to 8 inches of rain and wind gusts from 40 to 70 mph. Schools in Bladen County will be closed to students on Sunday, and schools in Robeson County will be delayed until 1 p.m.
Temperatures will remain cooler on Monday, with highs in the low 70s, before things warm up again on Tuesday. According to Wilmoth, Tuesday will be mostly cloudy and windy with bands of showers associated with Irma still in the area. Highs will be in the mid to upper 70s.
Once the effects of the storm move away, sunshine will return Wednesday. Highs will be much warmer, in the mid-80s, and only a small chance for rain and storms will linger.
