Tropical Storm Laura: How Storm's Track Could Impact NC

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina could feel the impacts of at least one of two back-to-back tropical storms bearing down on the Gulf of Mexico coastline by this weekend, according to forecasters.

As of Monday afternoon, Tropical Storm Laura lashed at the southern end of Florida with strong winds and bands of rain, while Tropical Storm Marco wreaked havoc in the northwestern end of the state. Laura is expected to become a hurricane as it moves through the Gulf. Both Marco and Laura were expected to make landfall around the Louisiana coast within 48 hours of one another.

By the end of the week, North Carolina will begin to feel the effects of Laura, according to state emergency officials.

"Rain chances will likely increase across the eastern United States late Thursday and into the weekend," North Carolina Emergency Management said Monday.

Any rain from Laura is expected to move into North Carolina by Friday morning, and will blanket much of the southeast through early Monday, Aug. 31, NCEM said. In North Carolina, the heaviest rainfall is expected to fall along the coast, as well as in the mountains, where saturated soil could potentially lead to flooding.

Here is the National Weather Service's forecast for North Carolina through the weekend:

This Afternoon (Aug. 24)
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. South southwest wind around 6 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South southwest wind around 5 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday (Aug. 25)
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. West southwest wind 3 to 6 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. West wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday (Aug. 26)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light west southwest wind.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Thursday (Aug. 27)
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Friday (Aug. 28)
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a chance of showers between 1am and 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday (Aug. 29)
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday (Aug. 30)
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Sunday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Monday (Aug. 31)
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.

Paul Scicchitano, Patch Staff, contributed