Some rain has finally arrived across Eastern North Carolina after a long period of drought that has extended more than a year.  Rainfall totals this year still remain below normal but at least water levels across area rivers did reach normal for a short time in the spring.  A cold front dropping into the area on Thursday should provide for an increased risk of thunderstorms.  The slow moving storms could produce heavy rainfall in some communities.  Yesterday a few areas of Eastern North Carolina received over four inches of rain.  The trend for normal to wetter than normal conditions is expected to last through next week giving much of the area a chance to get some much needed moisture.