Officials Monitoring Storm Projected to Bring Strong Winds Overnight
Increasd risk for straight-line winds and tornadoes in central North Carolina
[Updated: April 13, 2020: 8:35 a.m.]
The tornado watch for Durham has been cancelled by the National Weather Service.
[Updated: April 13, 2020: 7:15 a.m.]
The tornado warning for Durham has expired. A tornado watch remains in effect until noon. Visit the DukeALERT website for updates.
[Updated: April 13, 2020: 6:30 a.m.]
A tornado warning was issued for Durham until 7 a.m., seek shelter immediately. visit the DukeALERT website.
[Updated: April 13, 2020: 5 a.m.]
A tornado watch has been issued for central North Carolina until noon Monday.
A watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area.
During a tornado watch, the weather service suggests that people should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.
In the event of a tornado warning, which indicates a tornado has been sighted or indicated on radar, Duke officials will send a text and email notification to students, faculty and staff. If the warning area includes Duke's main campus, the sirens will also be activated along with text and email notifications to direct individuals to seek shelter immediately.
During a tornado watch, the weather service suggests that people should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. For more information about Duke's emergency response plan for tornados, visit the DukeALERT website.
[Original Post: April 12, 2020]
Duke officials are closely monitoring a powerful storm system that could bring severe thunderstorms, hail, straight-line winds and islolated tornadoes to central North Carolina late Sunday night and early Monday morning.
The period of greatest potential impact is after midnight through Monday morning. The storm is expected to bring widespread wind gusts of up to 60-70 mph, which could result in numerous downed trees and structural damage. Several tornadoes are possible with the potential for long tracks for one or two. Hail up to the size of golf balls is also possible. The storm will also bring dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning.
If the National Weather Service issues a tornado watch, people should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. In the event of a tornado warning, which indicates a tornado has been sighted or indicated on radar, Duke officials will send a text and email notification to students, faculty and staff. If the warning area includes Duke's main campus, the sirens will also be activated along with text and email notifications to direct individuals to seek shelter immediately.
To learn more about what to do in the event of a tornado, please visit this DukeALERT page.
Additional updates on the storm system will be posted as conditions warrant.
More information about the severe weather policy, including answers to frequently asked questions, is available at the DukeALERT emergency website.