An active beginning to a cooler than average week

The jet stream overhead is coming out of the northwest thanks to a long wave trough parked across the Eastern U.S. That circulation is bringing relatively cool July air to Mecklenburg County, with afternoon highs this week topping out in the mid- to upper 80s. Smaller "wrinkles" occurring along that jet stream are known as short waves, which move fairly quickly and create areas of vertical motion in the atmosphere.

The overall effect of these two weather factors will foster thunderstorm development to begin the new week. This 3-panel graphic shows the Storm Prediction Center's (SPC) convective outlooks for today (Sunday) through Tuesday:

After today's high temperature in the mid-80s the first of those disturbances will create the potential for storms to reach the area after sunset. Heavy downpours, strong straight-line winds, and lightning may disturb light sleepers between 9 p.m. and midnight.

Monday's storms will occur earlier, arriving during the afternoon hours. Tuesday then looks to bring the strongest and most widespread convection, which is why the SPC has Virginia under a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) for severe weather. Much of Tuesday's potential depends on what and where storms actually occur tomorrow.

The remainder of the week will be dry and pleasant, with daily highs in the 80s following morning lows in the 60s. That's pretty comfortable weather for the last week of July!