After dodging the "D" word the midweek period looks calmer

Preliminary Storm Prediction Center reports have labeled the system that crashed through Chicago and the Midwest yesterday a derecho. This graphic shows the path of storm reports from yesterday (Tuesday):

Fortunately those storms weakened and rained themselves out over the Appalachians. The good news was Mecklenburg County was spared the wild weather, but the bad news was that little to no precipitation reached the local area.

Today - Wednesday - will be a bit less humid and thus more comfortable even as local thermometers climb back to the 90º mark. A light northwesterly breeze will stir the air under mostly sunny skies. There is a slim chance of another storm complex (NOT a derecho) crossing the mountains this evening, which could bring some clouds and rain with it. 

Thursday will feature a return of stifling humidity, which - along with afternoon temperatures in the mid-90s - will help boost heat indices to near the century mark. Mostly sunny skies will prevail, accompanied by a light west wind. Then, as a "cold" front begins its approach tomorrow night into Friday more showers and storms will be possible.

This current weather pattern is creating a bit of uncertainty for several numerical weather models. The result is that a number of those model-driven smartphone weather apps may not provide an accurate picture of the forecast. It might be advisable to stay tuned to local TV/radio meteorologists rather than relying on those phone apps. (And having a NOAA weather radio is always a good idea!).