Severe weather possible Sunday, followed by a much quieter week

Today - Sunday - the Storm Prediction Center has much of Virginia under a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) for severe weather. As this morning there have been over three dozen tornado reports south and west of this area from this powerful spring storm system.  The main threat for Mecklenburg county looks to be strong straight line winds, but there is also a chance of tornadoes locally today. 

This is the forecast surface map for Sunday afternoon:

The two cold fronts - denoted as the blue lines - will likely result in two separate periods of storms (early and late afternoon) as they sweep eastward. Showers will arrive locally during the late morning hours, which could dampen the instability and hopefully decrease the tornado threat. Even so any storms which do arrive will bring heavy rain, lightning, and potentially damaging winds. Hail is also a possibility. 

Have more than one way (NOAA weather radio, local TV/radio, cellphone apps, etc) to receive weather warnings, and take shelter if a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued. Best place to shelter is on the lowest floor of a residence, putting as many walls as possible between you and the outdoors. Stay away from windows!

Ahead of these two cold fronts southerly winds will gust over 30 mph at times, pumping warm moist air into the county. Temperatures will top out in the low 70s this afternoon until the rain and cooler air arrives along with the boundaries. Overnight the rain and clouds will gradually taper off, and by dawn Monday temperatures will drop to near the 50º mark. 

Monday will wind up being partly sunny and cooler, with afternoon highs in the upper 50s accompanied by a northerly breeze. Tuesday and Wednesday will feature a gradual warmup before the next cold front swoops through Thursday.