The weather pendulum swings toward a wet week

Folks who have enjoyed the recent stretch of clear skies and sunshine won't much like the Mecklenburg county forecast for the upcoming week. But those who feel the need for some decent rainfall to alleviate the growing drought conditions should be pleased with what's coming. 

Today - Sunday - the region is caught between high pressure over New England and a developing low pressure system off the Southeastern U.S. coastline. The result will be mostly overcast skies locally, accompanied by a gusty northeasterly wind. There could be some peeks of sunshine this afternoon as temperatures top out near 80 degrees.

As it develops that low pressure system is being watched by the National Hurricane Center for possible tropical characteristics. Regardless of what it is labeled that system will bring showers into southern Virginia on Monday. The center of circulation looks to cross the beach near Wilmington NC tomorrow evening and track northwest into central parts of Virginia Wednesday morning. There it will stall and weaken before finally moving off the coast.

The result will be a damp week for Mecklenburg county. This NWS Wakefield forecast map shows expected rain totals through 8 p.m. Tuesday:

An additional inch or so of liquid will collect in local rain gauges through the end of the work week.

Hopefully this rainfall will be in time to alleviate the stress on plants and wildlife from this year's recurring droughts. Regardless, this looks like the week to drag the umbrellas and rain gear back out of the closet!