The Wedge is back, temporarily

The severe weather which was forecast on Monday did not materialize for most of Virginia. That was good news for residents, but it wasn't helpful for weather forecasters' reputations. Rest assured, meteorologists at the National Weather Service and local broadcast outlets are some of the best in the world at recognizing the signals for severe weather. On Monday, however, the ingredients did not mix together at the right time here in the Old Dominion for severe storms to occur.

Meanwhile, today - Wednesday - the "Wedge" (cold air damming) is back. 

Clockwise wind flow around high pressure over eastern Canada and New England is forcing moist surface air eastward from off the cool Atlantic waters. The result for Mecklenburg county will be clouds and seasonable temperatures today. Average daily highs to begin April are in the upper 60s, and this afternoon's thermometer readings will top out a few degrees below that.

This version of the "Wedge" won't last long. The warm front (red line with semicircles on the graphic) draped across the Carolinas will retreat northward tonight ahead of the next large scale storm system marching across the nation. There could be scattered sprinkles as that boundary moves through the county. 

Thursday will then begin mostly cloudy but will turn sunny as the day progresses. Temperatures will soar into the low 80s by the afternoon as southwesterly winds gust over 20 mph, bringing in warmer and moister air. Tomorrow will feel sticky with dew points climbing into the mid-60s.

On Friday a cold front will stall across Virginia, but at the moment the rain associated with it looks to stay mostly north of Mecklenburg County. The summer-like temperatures and humidity will continue through the weekend, with rain holding off until late Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile next week is looking cooler than average.