No foolin' around, April is beginning well above average temperatures

11:00 a.m. UPDATE: The SPC has updated their severe weather outlook for today:

The chances of after dark storms locally has increased a bit, perhaps arriving by 10:00 p.m. this evening. Nothing severe is expected for Mecklenburg County, but gusty winds and lightning are still threats to heed.

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The month of April continues the transition from cold to warm season. Average daily highs in Mecklenburg County begin the month in the upper 60s and climb to the mid-70s by month's end. Those averages are being blown away this week, with local thermometers registering afternoon highs in the mid-80s through Saturday(!).

This level of heat plus accompanying higher dew points tends to give rise to showers and thunderstorms. That could be true later today (Wednesday) for areas north and west of the county. The Storm Prediction Center has parts of Virginia under a Marginal Risk - level 1 of 5 - for severe weather as indicated by the dark green shading on this graphic:

However, the chance of afternoon showers or storms today is almost zero for Mecklenburg County. There may be enough remaining activity to foster a bit of rain near midnight, but local rain gauges will likely remain full of pollen rather than liquid.

Thursday looks to be sunny and very warm again, with southerly winds gusting to 15 mph thanks to the clockwise circulation around high pressure centered well out over the Atlantic. The next real chance of rain will hold off until Sunday.

Oh, and this is NOT an April Fools' prank!