A stalled front, sticky humidity, and storms for the midweek

A cold front edging in from the northwest is entering northern Virginia as this post is being written. Typically at this point in the spring these boundaries will swoop across the state and usher in a quick burst of storms before allowing drier and cooler air to move in. Not this time.

That front will stall later today (Wednesday), draping itself over the I-64 corridor and keeping the cooler air north of it. The boundary will wobble north and south a few miles both today and tomorrow. The result for Mecklenburg County will be a period of warm and sticky air punctuated by showers and thunderstorms. In fact, the Storm Prediction Center has the county under a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) for severe storms today:

Folks can expect showers and storms anytime from mid-afternoon onward today. Temperatures will climb from this morning's low 60s to the upper 80s under a fair amount of sunshine. Thursday and Friday both look much the same, but with slightly lower chances of rain and storms.

The main risk from these storms will be strong - possibly damaging - winds, heavy rain, and the always dangerous lightning. Folks need to keep handy at least two methods of receiving weather warnings (NOAA weather radio, local TV/radio, smartphone apps, etc). And for any thunderstorm, severe or not, all outdoor activities need to be suspended until the lightning threat is at least 30 minutes past, with thunder no longer audible.