A mild but damp beginning to the work week

Sunday's high temperatures in the upper 60s were a welcome respite from the recent frigid conditions in Mecklenburg county. Today - Monday - thermometer readings will top out in the upper 50s under an abundant cloud cover. That's near the average for the second week of December.

This morning's rainfall is due to an upper level disturbance (a shortwave trough) which will move across Virginia today. The bulk of the showers will clear out after the lunch hour, with some sunshine also peeking through this afternoon. Southwesterly breezes will continue to pump in moist air from the Gulf of Mexico throughout the day.

Overnight mostly cloudy skies plus the moister air will keep temperatures from dropping much below the 50 degree mark. A few scattered showers will push through the area, and some early morning fog may reduce visibilities for early risers out on the highways. Tuesday morning will be mostly dry with a few more peeks of sunshine, but skies will remain mostly cloudy.

Tuesday's temperatures will top out in the mid-60s before steadier rain arrives during the late afternoon hours. There's even a chance at a rumble of thunder near sunset tomorrow(!). Forecast precipitation totals by Wednesday morning are shown on this graphic:

This activity is all ahead of the next vigorous cold front which will pass through on Wednesday. Temperatures will again drop below December averages for the latter half of the work week.