Another round of storms late Monday into Tuesday

Dew points around Mecklenburg this Monday morning have risen into the low 70s, about ten degrees higher than Sunday's rather comfortable values. The "stickiness quotient" is thus much higher today, especially given forecast afternoon highs in the mid-90s. That moisture, plus a lee trough, plus a cold front slowly edging eastward from the Ohio Valley, has convinced the Storm Prediction Center to issue a Slight Risk - level 2 of 5 - for severe storms today.

Those storms will arrive later this afternoon, likely near the dinner hour. The chief threats will be damaging straight line winds and the always dangerous lightning. Keep at least two weather warning sources at hand, and if a warning is issued take shelter on the lowest floor and away from windows. And remember, "If Thunder Roars, Head Indoors". It doesn't pay to gamble with lightning!

Showers and storms look to continue into the late evening hours as that cold front slowly works its way across Virginia. Then, as a low pressure center develops nearby along the boundary, another round of convection will push through during mid-day Tuesday. Tomorrow will feature mostly cloudy skies until late afternoon, with temperatures topping out in the upper 80s. 

Rain totals won't be impressive from this system, but the hard and dry ground will make it difficult for the water to soak in. That could lead to some localized flooding during torrential downpours. Forecast precipitation totals from this latest system are shown in this graphic from NWS Wakefield:

It's not enough to break the drought, but at this stage any amount helps!