Severe thunderstorms are becoming likely for Monday; damaging wind gusts and tornadoes are the main threats.

Governor Josh Stein and North Carolina state officials are asking North Carolinians to prepare for severe weather.

The storm could produce damaging wind gusts of 74 mph or higher, large hail, and tornadoes.

Please prepare for the likelihood of severe weather late Sunday and Monday. Now is the time to ensure you have a safe place to shelter if a tornado develops and tracks through your neighborhood on Monday.

On Monday at 1:56 a.m. a winter weather advisory was released by the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC valid from 1 p.m. until Tuesday 3 a.m. The advisory is for Avery, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Swain, Haywood and Graham counties.

A report from the NWS Raleigh NC was issued on Monday at 3:21 a.m. for thunderstorms and winds with hail until 4:15 a.m. The alert is for Vance, Warren, Halifax, Franklin and Nash counties.

A pleasant start to our weekend is on the way in North Carolina and Virginia with warmer 60s to near 70 degrees for highs.

On Monday at 1:45 a.m. a freeze watch was released by the NWS Wilmington NC valid for Wednesday between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. The watch is for Inland Pender, Inland New Hanover and Inland Brunswick as well as Robeson,

North Carolina officials are urging residents statewide to prepare for severe weather after the National Weather Service issued a rare Level 4 Moderate Risk for parts of the state.

Central North Carolina will enjoy a quiet start to the second half of the weekend before a much more active weather pattern arrives to begin the new week. Sunday will start mostly sunny before