Clouds and rain will be the midweek weather story

An approaching cold front will creep across the Appalachians today (Wednesday). Ahead of it southerly breezes will continue to gust over 20 mph, with light showers dampening the landscape this morning. That warm moist wind direction will enable temperatures to climb from this morning's low 60s to afternoon highs near the 80º mark despite the lack of sunshine. There may be a couple rumbles of thunder today as well, but nothing severe is expected.

Rain totals during the daylight hours won't be impressive. However, additional precipitation this evening and throughout Thursday will help boost liquid amounts collected in local gauges. Here's the latest NWS Wakefield outlook for rainfall totals from this system:

Thursday's official high temperature in the mid- to upper 60s will likely occur just after midnight tonight. That slow moving cold front will finally edge its way through Mecklenburg County tomorrow morning, opening the door to cooler air. Temperatures will thus fall into the upper 50s by lunch time tomorrow as winds swap around out of the north.

Skies will clear late Thursday afternoon, leading up to a sunny and pleasant Friday.