Storms linger Sunday evening, but more are expected Monday on a WRAL Weather Alert Day

We have a stormy night on Sunday with more storms possible to start the week.

The main threat with storms tonight and into Monday will be localized flooding, but damaging wind gusts can't be ruled out.

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• Monday (WRAL Weather Alert Day): More showers and storms likely. Highs in the upper 80s-90°.
• Tuesday: Some storms possible later in the day. Highs in the low-mid 90s.
• Wednesday: A better chance for showers and storms. Highs in the low 90s.

A cold front will stall over the area into Monday, bringing a better chance for showers and storms by the afternoon and into the evening. 

We have a low-end risk of severe weather, with damaging wind gusts being the main threat.

Some localized flooding is possible as well.

Tuesday could bring a few strong to severe storms especially in our northern spots later in the day.

However, the better chance for storms will arrive on Wednesday as a stronger cold front swings through the region. 

We are already watching that day for possible severe storms. Damaging wind gusts will be the main concern," said WRAL meteorologist Grant Skinner.

There isn't much pushing the front east of here, so additional showers will be possible Thursday.

Expect lows in the 60s and highs in the 80s later this week into the upcoming weekend - a nice break from the intense heat, at least.

Tropical Depression Two formed as of 11 a.m. Sunday. It is not forecast to have a direct impact on North Carolina.

It is forecast to make landfall along the central Gulf Coast. It will likely be a weaker system before landfall.

However, it will bring heavy rain and gusty winds to the central Gulf Coast.  Moisture from this system will aid our rain chances, though, into the start of the week.

By Wednesday, that moisture meets up with a potent cold front from the north. This will enhance our chance of showers and storms Wednesday, and some may become strong to severe again. 

Beyond that, we'll see a bit of a dip in temperatures and humidity levels.

Parts of the Triangle and eastern North Carolina have received some needed rain which has helped to ease the drought.

New drought data released on Thursday, July 16, shows the state's exceptional drought is down from 6% to 5%, and the extreme drought is down from 50% to 39%.

Still, WRAL meteorologists have said it could take a tropical system to get rid of our drought status, and most municipalities are asking residents to limit water consumption.

It would take more than 15 inches of rain to catch up on the deficit, and much of central North Carolina is likely to remain in a drought through September.

• Sunday: Another hot day with scattered storms. Highs in the low to mid 90s.
• Monday: Scattered storms with highs near 90.
• Tuesday: Scattered storms with highs in the low 90s.
• Wednesday: Scattered storms with highs in the upper 80s.
• Thursday: Lingering showers/storms. Not as hot. Highs in the mid-80s.
• Friday: Partly cloudy with a lower rain chance. Highs in the mid to upper 80s.
• Saturday: Partly cloudy and warm. Highs in the upper 80s.