Damaging winds, hail, flash floods are forecast for Raleigh, Central NC. What to know.

Much of central NC could get hit with severe thunderstorms Monday evening.

The area is under a Level 3, or enhanced, risk for the storms, meaning they could be more persistent and widespread throughout the day with damaging wind gusts up to 80 mph, large hail, and lightning.

Central NC is also under a Level 2 slight risk for excessive rainfall, bringing flash flooding. Urban and poor drainage areas may see the most flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

This evening, an isolated tornado is also possible for the area though the threat is not as great as the thunderstorms.

Most of the storm and possible damage is predicted between 5 and 10 p.m. Some areas, including the Interstate 95 corridor, could see storms through 11 p.m.

As of 6:45 p.m. Monday, the Piedmont Triad was under a severe thunderstorm warning until 7:30 p.m. Hail measuring two inches is expected with the storm.

What’s the difference between a storm watch vs. warning? Weather terms explained

Temperatures rose to the mid-80s Monday afternoon. By nightfall, temperatures could be in the mid-60s in the Triangle.

As of Monday evening, 41 counties were under a severe thunderstorm watch, including Wake, Chatham, Orange, Durham, Johnston, Wilson, Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, Halifax, Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, Franklin, Nash, Edgecombe, Mecklenburg, Richmond, Scotland, Vance, Alamance, Catawba, Davidson, Randolph, Stanly, Montgomery, Moore, Lee, Harnett, Wayne, Anson, Richmond, Scotland, Hoke, Cumberland, and Sampson.

On the coast, the entire Wilmington area is under a Level 2 risk for tonight into early Tuesday morning. The main threat is damaging wind gusts. The area is under watch for large hail and possible tornadoes.

Weather outlook for the week

The severe weather is brought on by a cold front, according to the National Weather Service.

Tomorrow, the cold front will push east, but there will be some lingering thunderstorms in the state in areas east of Interstate 95.

By Wednesday, the weather will be drier but heat and humidity will ramp up throughout the week.

Temperatures could get up to the high 80s and low 90s, with some scattered thunderstorms this weekend around central NC.

Flight delays, cancellations at RDU

As of 4:30 p.m. Monday, over 30 flights have been canceled and delayed at RDU from Frontier, Spirit, Breeze Airways, Air Canada, United Airlines, Delta, Jetblue, Southwest, and American Airlines with planes headed to New Jersey, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Phoenix, Detroit, Denver, Florida, Texas, Maryland and Canada.

For inclement weather, contact your airline for updates about your flight status and information. Arrivals and departures can also be found online at rdu.com/airline-information.

This is a developing story. Check back here for more updates throughout the day.