A wet weekend to begin May

Welcome to the merry month of May! Average daily high temperatures around Mecklenburg County begin this month in the mid-70s, and by the end of the month those averages rise into the low 80s. Today - Friday - and Saturday will both have above average highs, with local thermometers topping out in the mid-80s.

Also arriving today will be increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms. In fact, the next several days will finally provide a break in the recent dry stretch. Here's the NWS Wakefield forecast graphic for rainfall totals through Sunday evening:

Today and Saturday will both feature periods of sunshine interspersed with chances of showers and thunderstorms. In fact, the Storm Prediction Center has tomorrow outlooked with a Marginal Risk - level 1 out of 5 - for severe storms. Storms are most likely to occur in the afternoon and evening hours, so be mindful of outdoor conditions after the lunch hour both days.

Then by Sunday morning things could get pretty soggy for a couple of days. The jet stream will pinch off and create a "cutoff low" over the Ohio valley, indicated by the red "L"  on this upper air model graphic: 

These features slow the eastward progression of weather systems. Thus Sunday and Monday (and possibly Tuesday) look to be cloudy and damp as that cutoff low center spins around in place. Sunday itself will be a bit cooler under the cloud cover, with afternoon highs in the mid-70s.

This weekend's rainfall will be helpful in easing the continued dry conditions across the county. The overall drought won't disappear, but hopefully the "liquid sunshine" will aid farmers and other agricultural interests by arriving at an opportune time.