Pleasant conditions for Sunday, then summer really arrives

Today - Sunday - will bring nice conditions to end the weekend. Except for Clarksville, which had a low of 68 thanks to the moderating effect of the lake waters, temperatures around Mecklenburg county began the day in the low 60s. Under sunny skies the afternoon will bring highs in the mid-80s for Fathers' Day cookouts and picnics.

One more comfortable night will then ensue as Monday morning temperatures drop into the mid-60s. However, the beginning of the work week will feature a warm front moving northward through the Mid-Atlantic states. A large northward bulge in the jet stream (aka a ridge) will dominate the week's weather, with a Bermuda High taking shape out over the Atlantic Ocean:

That will allow heat and humidity from both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic to get pumped into the local area. The average high temperature in Mecklenburg county at this point in June is 87 degrees. Starting Monday it looks like the daily highs will be at or above the 90 degree mark all week long. 

By next weekend those readings will top out in the upper 90s. Combined with higher dew points the heat index will climb toward 100 degrees. That qualifies as a heat wave by just about anyone's definition. (And by the way astronomical summer arrives on Thursday, June 20th.)

So think cool thoughts, drink plenty of water, and stay as cool as possible this week.