A showery weekend lies ahead

This current stretch of daily chances of rain would seem to help with the ongoing drought conditions. Unfortunately the scattered showers and storms haven't provided enough liquid to make much of a dent in the situation. In addition to the latest Drought Monitor showing Mecklenburg (among other Virginia counties) under an Extreme Drought, this graphic also emphasizes the dryness as water levels continue to dwindle:

The showers and storms will continue marching across the state today - Friday - through the weekend. However, liquid totals will be spotty with perhaps a half-inch up to an inch collected in local rain gauges by Sunday evening.

After another warm and muggy start in the 70s, today's temperatures will climb into the low 90s ahead of more anticipated storminess. The Storm Prediction Center has the county under yet another Marginal Risk - level 1 of 5 - for severe weather, with straight line damaging winds the main threat. Storms could arrive anytime after mid-afternoon, so be alert to changing weather conditions.

By dinnertime Saturday a weak cold front will push south of the area and help fire up more storminess. Tomorrow's afternoon highs will climb to near the 90º mark, with skies remaining at least partly sunny before the rain arrives late afternoon. Clouds and precipitation will then stick around tomorrow night through most of Sunday.

Between the clouds, some rain, and the slightly cooler air behind the boundary, Sunday's temperatures are likely to top out only in the low 80s. That's several degrees below mid-July averages, so enjoy the brief break in the heat. Next week looks to reintroduce the heat!