Heavy rainfall across North Carolina this weekend could make travel treacherous, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Drivers are urged to pay extra attention and slow down on what could be slick roads, DOT said in a news release.
Forecasters predict widespread rainfall, scattered flash flooding and possibly downed trees on Saturday. DOT reminds drivers to avoid roadways that are covered with water.
The department’s travel information website, DriveNC.gov, offers information on current road conditions, the news release said.
The National Weather Service in Raleigh on Friday issued an alert for 26 counties in North Carolina, including Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Moore, Lee, Sampson, Johnston, Wake and Durham.
An area of low pressure off the Southeast coast will move into the Carolinas over the weekend, bringing widespread rain that may be heavy at times, the Weather Service said. Conditions will continue into Sunday.
An average of 1.5 to 3 inches of rain is expected, which may result in flooding in low-lying or poor-drainage areas, the Weather Service said. Additionally, northeasterly winds will gust to 25 to 35 mph at times on Saturday with a few gusts close to 40 mph possible.
The Fayetteville forecast for Saturday says rain could be heavy at times, with northeast winds of 20 to 22 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%.
Heavy rains will likely continue Saturday night, with a low around 59. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch are possible, NWS says.
On Sunday, rain is forecast mainly before 2 p.m., with showers to follow. The high temperature will be near 71.
For Memorial Day, the forecast calls for a slight chance of showers, then a chance of thunderstorms after 2 p.m. The high will be near 76, NWS says.
