A cold front expected to move across Hampton Roads, northeast North Carolina and the Eastern Shore later today will bring a risk for strong thunderstorms to develop, according to the National Weather Service.

Severe weather across the entire region isn’t likely, but some areas could see strong gusty winds and heavy rain, according to the forecast on the weather service Web site.

Thunderstorms are back in the forecast.

Today’s skies will be mostly cloudy, but could turn stormy tonight after 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service Web site. The greatest chance for storms should be between 8 a.m. and 1 a.m., then showers are likely through the morning.

Pleasant weather is expected today, but forecasters are predicting more rain beginning late tomorrow and lasting through Friday.

The high today should be about 77 with highs reaching the mid to upper 70s the rest of the week, according to the National Weather Service Web site. Lows will be in the upper 50s or low 60s.

That National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood warning for Hampton Roads, the Peninsula and Eastern Shore.

At high tide this morning, dispatchers in Hampton Roads all said they had not heard of any major flooding with roads closed.

NORFOLK Rain and wind caused some flooding in Hampton Roads and North Carolina's Outer Banks on Monday as people tried to clean up from storms Sunday night.

Residents of North Carolina and Virginia are cleaning up today after storms hit the region, toppling trees and knocking out power to thousands of homes.

Strong winds and at least one tornado raced through northeastern North Carolina Friday morning, damaging several houses, barns, out buildings and vehicles and knocking over trees and chicken houses. Outside Elizabeth City, a straight-line wind pushed a house off its foundation. The National Weather Service reported that a tornado was first spotted near Colerain at 8:44 a.m.

School officials, reacting to a tornado warning from the National Weather Service, have delayed the start of school this morning in one North Carolina division. Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools will be on a two-hour delay, according to the school division's Web site. The tornado watch is in effect for much of northeast coastal and interior North Carolina until 9 a.m.

A satellite-based digital alert system will allow Hampton Roads localities to remain in contact with state emergency officials even if a storm or other disaster disabled telephone and Internet service, state officials said Thursday.

Severe thunderstorms could develop this afternoon and bring a chance for gusty winds and hail, according to the National Weather Service. 

The chance for severe weather will increase tonight, according to the statement on the weather service Web site.