A couple cold fronts and potential severe storms before nicer conditions arrive

As of this Friday morning the sogginess which has characterized this work week has resulted in rain gauges in both Clarksville and South Hill recording almost two inches of liquid. Another inch or so of rain will collect in county gauges today and Saturday thanks to two successive cold fronts. Each of those boundaries will be associated with a chance at severe storms, with today's risks represented by this Storm Prediction Center graphic:

This Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) was issued due to the potential triple threats of damaging straight line winds, large hail, and even a couple of tornadoes. Per short range forecast models storms will arrive on the county's doorstep anytime after 3:00 o'clock this afternoon. Folks should keep close at hand at least two sources of weather warnings (NOAA weather radio, local TV/radio, smartphone apps, etc.). Take shelter in a sturdy building if a warning is issued.

Cloudy skies this morning will clear to at least partly sunny by the lunch hour. Temperatures look to top out near 80º ahead of the storms' arrival. Behind the cold front southerly winds will swap around out of the west and gust up to 25 mph tonight. Local thermometers will drop into the mid-50s by dawn Saturday.

The second cold front will push through the area late tomorrow. There will be enough energy and moisture available for a few strong to severe afternoon storms, thus the SPC has the county under a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) for severe weather on Saturday. Ahead of the mid-afternoon storms temperatures will rise into the upper 70s under mostly sunny skies.

Conditions will finally improve on Sunday, the first day of June. Following that second cold front drier and cooler air will stream into the area. Skies will be clear on Sunday, and a gentle westerly breeze will stir the air as temperatures rise from morning lows near 50º to an afternoon high in the upper 70s.