A quick peek ahead at the first week of September

Happy meteorological autumn! Most of us were taught that autumn begins with the fall equinox on or about September 22nd. But meteorologists (a different thinking bunch of folks) define seasons as shown in this diagram:

The typical astronomical seasons are delineated on the outer circle, while the meteorological seasons are shown on the inner pie chart. The latter has to do with defining the three warmest calendar months (summer) and the three coldest months (winter), with fall and spring being transition periods.

Regardless, after a bit more heat, humidity, and storms today - Sunday - the upcoming week will certainly feel like autumn. A dissipating cold front will cross the Appalachian mountains today, triggering showers and storms as it plows into the soggy air mass draped across Virginia. Temperatures around Mecklenburg county will top out in the upper 80s before storms reach the area after 5:00 p.m.

Then tonight another more vigorous cold front will cross the Old Dominion, reaching the local area near sunrise Monday. Both temperatures and dew points will begin to drop, and as a result Monday will be cooler and less humid with afternoon highs barely breaching the 80 degree mark.

The rest of the week then will feel a LOT like autumn, with highs in the upper 70s and overnight lows in the 50s. The next chance of showers will hold off until Thursday night into Friday.

Enjoy!