Storms late Monday afternoon, then sunny Tuesday

The Storm Prediction Center has backed off a bit on its convective outlook for today (Monday). However, Mecklenburg County is still under a Slight Risk - level 2 of 5 - for severe storms, which will be knocking on the doorstep at or just after suppertime today. The main hazards will be strong straight line winds, always dangerous lightning, and heavy rain (up to an inch across the region). A tornado or two is still a possibility. Storms will continue into the late evening hours.

With this potential for severe weather folks should have more than one way to receive weather warnings. 

And remember that a "Watch" means conditions are ripe for severe weather, while a "Warning" means it is happening now and it's time to take shelter inside a solid building (not a car port, garage, or mobile home).

Temperatures which began this morning in the low to mid-60s will top out near 80º this afternoon. Skies will be mostly cloudy, but some sunshine is likely to appear ahead of the storms' arrival. Dew points are in the 60s, a very sticky range for the last day of March.

The actual surface cold front will finally cross the county after midnight tonight. Tuesday will then dawn sunny, cooler, and less sticky. Temperatures near 50º at sunrise (6:59 a.m. to begin the month of April) will climb into the mid-60s tomorrow afternoon, accompanied by a northerly breeze. Wednesday also looks to be dry and sunny, with more rain expected later in the week.