We need to stay weather aware across North Carolina this weekend.

A potent storm system is developing Friday across the central U.S. that could produce strong storms anywhere from near the Great Lakes to the Gulf coast.

The highest threat for severe storms through Friday night is expected in parts of Missouri and Illinois.

The higher severe weather threat will shift to the south Saturday, with the greatest threat for locations in and around Mississippi and Alabama. Forecast data shows concerning signs for what could be a widespread severe outbreak, including strong tornadoes in that part of the country.

As the storm system moves to the east, the severe weather threat should not be quite as high here in the Carolinas, but strong storms will be possible.

Western North Carolina could see some of the storms late Saturday night into early Sunday.

A line of storms will track across areas near Greensboro and Charlotte Sunday morning, arriving in the Raleigh and Fayetteville area around midday.

The storms will then track across eastern North Carolina during the afternoon and evening hours. 

Heavy rain will be possible along that line with embedded thunderstorms that could produce strong wind gusts.

While the greatest severe weather risk in North Carolina will be damaging straight-line wind gusts, any storms that form ahead of the main line could spin up tornadoes. 

That line of storms will bring most of our severe weather threat well ahead of a cold front through will move through the state later Sunday night.

There are now some indications another round of rain and storms could develop during that time in central North Carolina and slowly track across eastern North Carolina through early Monday morning.

While the severe weather threat may not be as high for that second round, locally heavy rain and gusty winds will be possible.

Make sure you have a way to receive weather alerts this weekend.

If a warning is issued for your area, quickly move to a small, interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Basements, closets, hallways and windowless bathrooms typically provide the best protection during a tornado or a storm producing damaging winds.

Stay tuned to Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News app for updates.

Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.