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We'll turn warmer, wetter and stormier at times during the final weekend of 2024. Sunday carries a Level 2 risk for severe weather.

Off-and-on showers build to WRAL Weather Alert Day on Sunday

I'm meteorologist Chris Michaels here in the WRALs Severe Weather Center looking ahead to Sunday. It's a WRAL weather alert day. The reason for that is there's a level 2 risk out of 5 for severe thunderstorms, mainly between 10 p.m. and 6 p.m. Now this means there's at least the potential for some strong wind gusts with any of these storms. Isolated tornado threat, although that is not the main thing we're watching. Also need to watch for some of that post-holiday travel that's going on. Now, in terms of today, we do see the chance for Scattered showers, most of which it's going to be late morning into the early afternoon and mainly in the western half of the area. Now, by 7 p.m. it looks like that is well west of US 1 and moving into Virginia. I think most of the overnight is actually going to be pretty quiet. Now Sunday, you don't want to see any sunshine. That would actually help destabilize the atmosphere and make it more conducive for thunderstorms. But here's that 10 p.m. time frame and you see things really building toward the triad and then move. From west to east from there after 4 p.m., the threat starts to move east of the triangle and east of I-95. I think by 7 p.m. the severe weather threat is over on Sunday. High temperatures today, they'll be in the mid-60s, will be in the upper 60s come Sunday afternoon. Now after that, of course, New Year's Eve is Tuesday. There's a weaker storm system compared to Sunday, scattered showers late afternoon into the evening, but it does look as though things will clear out in time for the ball drop or in Raleigh's case, the acorn. We're looking at temperatures dropping as well. They'll be in the upper 40s, lower 50s, the closer to midnight that we get. And we'll be lucky to crack that for high temperatures heading into the later part of the week and into next weekend. Looks like colder than average weather is likely into early January. So in the meantime, we're warm today, very warm tomorrow. We'll be in the mid-60s through New Year's Eve. With the new year comes a new weather pattern, a colder one as well. Highs in the 40s, lows in the 20s next Thursday and Friday.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Level 2 risk for severe thunderstorms Sunday afternoon/evening

Carolina Hurricanes giving family of fallen Greensboro officer special night

Greensboro police officer Michael Horan

Live blog: Heels trail Huskies 3-0 early in Fenway Bowl

UNC interim head coach Freddie Kitchens discusses preps for Fenway Bowl vs. UConn

'How could they do this to my baby?': Man arrested, charged with setting woman on fire

Jami Raiziah Griffin

California resident wins $1.22 billion Mega Millions Jackpot Friday night

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Patients turned away as Duke University Hospital cleans up flood in emergency department

Duke University Hospital pipe burst

Raleigh surge in car thefts: Police link ring to 86 thefts, loss of $2.5 million

Dozens of car thefts linked to high-tech ring in Raleigh

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While not as flashy as the NC State Wolfpack's rivalry with the North Carolina Tar Heels, the Wolfpack will add another chapter to its history against the East Carolina Pirates during the 2024 Military Bowl.

A brief history of the NC State-ECU rivalry ahead of the 2024 Military Bowl

ECU at NC State

Samori Husamudeen was working for DoorDash, making a pickup when, police say, a McDonald's employee shot him and ran away.

'A whole family is destroyed:'  DoorDash driver killed; McDonald's employee charged with murder

Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 -- Roy Cooper talks about his legacy, how to appeal to Republicans and Democratic speculation that he might run for Senate or for president.

REID J. EPSTEIN: As Gov. Roy Cooper Departs, he stays cagey on 2026 and 2028

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper

The man accused of causing a crash that killed a Durham teacher has a long criminal history and lost his license at least once as a result. 

Suspect in teacher's DWI death has long criminal history

Guardian steps in to care for teacher's son after her death

A dead whale washed up on the beach in Kitty Hawk, making for a rare sight for some beachgoers on Friday morning.

Dead humpback whale washes ashore on North Carolina's Outer Banks

Dead humpback whale

It has been more than 60 years since someone crowned as Miss North Carolina has won Miss America. A Johnston County native and NC Central student is hoping to change that.

'I'm ready, y'all': Carrie Everett aims to become first Miss America from NC since 1962

Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett

President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Friday to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a âpolitical resolutionâ to the issue.

Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office

TikTok_Lawsuit_69782

WASHINGTON (AP) â The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20.

US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, pushing to get aid out before Biden leaves office

APTOPIX_Russia_Ukraine_War_06555

According to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, an unidentified man set God's Little Blessings Daycare on fire around 5:24 p.m. Thursday at 4474 Cumberland Road.

Deputies: Man wanted for setting daycare on fire in Cumberland County

Photo of man suspected of setting Cumberland County daycare on fire

The body of Officer Michael Horan was escorted to Greensboro from Raleigh on Friday afternoon. Several federal, state and local agencies were on overpasses along Interstate 40 to pay tribute to Horan.

Fallen Greensboro officer taken home in procession along I-40 in Triangle, Triad

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Check out our list of winter break activities to keep the kids entertained over the holiday break.

Ideas for family fun in Raleigh over winter break

Winter Break 

From giant acorns to plastic pigs, North Carolina has some of the quirkiest traditions that make ringing in the new year a unique and unforgettable experience.


Acorn, pig, pickles: Unusual New Year's Eve celebrations in North Carolina

New Year's Eve Egg Drop

Here's how Triangle residents can prepare for the winter season.

How to prepare for winter in the Triangle

Snow, winter, snowflakes, flurries, ice, cold weather

WRAL's Coats for the Children collects gently used, clean coats, hats and gloves to outfit children each winter. Thousands of families benefit from the annual, major community campaign, a partnership between WRAL and the Salvation Army.

Coats for the Children: Donate in person, online to keep kids warm this winter

Coats for the Children

Are you looking for something to do for New Year's Eve? We have your guide to New Year's Eve in Raleigh, Durham and surrounding cities!


3, 2, 1! Your guide to New Year's Eve in the Triangle

Don't Miss It

A team of volunteers for weeks have been working on building 12-feet by 16-feet cabins for Helene survivors in Swannanoa.

Volunteers build tiny homes for Hurricane Helene survivors in NC mountains

Volunteers build tiny homes for Hurricane Helene survivors

First responders honor fallen Greensboro officer during procession

Procession for fallen Greensboro officer

Pet of the Day for Dec. 28, 2024

Pet of the Day for Dec. 28, 2024: Hank

Miss North Carolina 2024 heading to Orlando for Miss America competition

Bragging rights on the line as NC State faces ECU in Military Bowl

Fallen officer escorted back to Greensboro

Video Central

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Another jackpot surpasses $1 billion. Is this the new normal?

Local News

The Wake school board is looking for a new member

Foodie News: Times Square Deli opens in downtown Raleigh

Convicted murderer turns himself in days after his escape from courthouse, police say

Powerful thunderstorms rumble across Texas, delaying busiest stretch of holiday travel

Israeli airstrikes hit a Yemen airport as a jet with hundreds onboard was landing, UN official says

Nation/World

An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition

Turning tragedy into purpose: Gabby Petito's father advocates for missing Black and brown people

Bird flu virus likely mutated within a Louisiana patient, CDC says

US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people

Ring in 2025 with WRAL's First Night Raleigh, a vibrant celebration kicking off on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. Enjoy family-friendly fun with a Children's Celebration and live music at City Plaza.


What's new at WRAL's First Night Raleigh 2025

Midnight acorn drop at WRAL First Night Raleigh signals start of 2023

Weekend best bets: Hanukkah, ice skating, karaoke

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5 Faves: Best Triangle holiday traditions

Santa at North Hills

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Fieldstream Farm 

Foodie News: Long-awaited Crawford Brothers Steakhouse opens Friday in Fenton

Now open sign

Out & About

Fact check: Would Trump's immigration plan affect his own children?

Politifact

Cooper, Helene responders and immigrants: PolitiFact's top NC fact-checks of 2024

Fact-checking claims about Elon Musk, Taylor Swift and new Tesla products

Would a government shutdown affect holiday mail and travel? 8 questions, answered.

Trump debate claim is 2024 'Lie of the Year'

Cooper issues new pardons, but doesn't copy Biden's sweeping commutations

NC Capitol

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending Dec. 19

On the Record: Next auditor promises conservative principles not partisan politics

Federal government shutdown could have significant impacts on NC

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Education

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Durham Public Schools approves family responsibility zones as bus driver shortage continues

Before your holiday gifts arrive, federal officers inspect them at this massive Atlanta facility

WRAL In Depth

Why Greenland? Trump wants to deal for mineral-rich country

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NC doctor's license revoked after he sent sexual text to patient's father

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Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78

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Last year, a group of NC State employees battling breast cancer urged the university to test Poe Hall for environmental hazards. The results showed dangerously high levels of toxic chemicals, prompting the university to close the building, displacing hundreds of workers and students. Over the past six months, WRAL reviewed more than 1,000 pages of testing documents to uncover what they may have been exposed to.

Toxic chemical testing inside NC State's Poe Hall: Where tests were taken and what was found

Toxic chemical testing inside NC Stateâs Poe Hall

The clock is ticking on TikTok, the popular social media app. Congress passed the ban in April and it's set to take effect in January. The company has asked the United States Supreme Court to intervene. WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie talked to experts who say the court might step in.

Looming TikTok ban could be paused by U.S. Supreme Court

Internal emails reveal that Durham's District Attorney, Satana Deberry, has a policy of dismissing some "possession of a firearm by a felon" charges if no violence is involved, which some community members believe is contributing to increased crime.

No consequences: Records reveal Durham DA's policy not to prosecute gun charges

File photo of Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry

Most people probably can't name the state labor commissioner, but that person oversees worker safety for the entire state. A political newcomer won the office this year - Republican Luke Farley.

Next NC labor commissioner to focus on worker safety

Luke Farley

The research, published in JAMA, suggests that active monitoring could be a viable alternative to surgery and radiation for low-risk patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), known as stage zero breast cancer.


New Duke study could mean fewer with early-stage breast cancer would face surgery, radiation

Duke Health C.O.M.E.T. breast cancer study

WRAL Investigates uncovers one local district attorney's policy facing criticism, and how other cities in the Triangle compare.

Felons facing no consequences for carrying guns? Durham County DA's policy under fire

Monday at 6: Felons facing no consequences for carrying guns? The local DA's policy under fire, and how other cities compare.

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Consumer Reports' top-tested furniture anchor kits

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Rehoopex six-drawer dressers pose tip-over hazard without anchoring

Consumer Reports reveals stores with the best and worst return policies

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Will Trump's new immigration plans impact our local economy?

FEMA lags behind its prior projection as hundreds of Helene victims await temporary housing

NC a hotbed for extremist group's activities, expert says

'Paper terrorism' jams up NC courts, costs taxpayers, targets law enforcement

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Donald Thompson: Gain a competitive edge â Adapt a growth mindset for the new year

David Gardner: Tech vs. truth

Tom Snyder: AI is unavoidable and other top tech stories of 2024

Grace Ueng: The transformative power of saying thank you

WRAL TechWire

'Tis the season to get your tax documents organized

'Returnuary' begins: How shoppers and retailers navigate post-holiday returns

Consumer Reports reveals the best and worst retailers for holiday returns

Durham company Keebio makes split keyboards to help people with wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

How to track Santa Claus around the world with NORAD's flight tracker

Family

Pet of the Day: Dec. 22, 2024

Holiday reunion: Siblings, adopted apart, meet for first time

Holiday tips for those caring for loved ones with dementia

NORAD's Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kids

Walmart End of Year clearance event: Up to 75% off toys, clothing, kitchen, vacuums

SmartShopper

Amazon Winter Sale: Sonic Electric Toothbrush Set only $7.99 w/coupon, Glitter Gel Pens 12 pack only $3.98 (50% off), Apple AirTag 4 Pack only $69.99 

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