The work week weather in a word? Damp

A low pressure system is spinning around over the Ohio Valley this Sunday morning, with the counterclockwise circulation around it pumping moist air northward into Mecklenburg County. The associated cold front will slowly edge across the Appalachians over the next couple of days, helping to fire up showers and storms. 

In fact, the Storm Prediction Center has much of Virginia in a Level 1 of 5 risk for severe weather today. Rumbles of thunder will become more probable as today progresses, with the heavier stuff looking like it will arrive toward the dinner hour. Overall, today will be cloudy with sticky humidity and temperatures topping out in the mid-80s. 

That low pressure system will move slowly enough to keep showers and storms around the county much of the upcoming work week. Sunshine will be scarce until midweek, and even then the afternoons will likely turn cloudy and wet. This NWS Wakefield graphic shows the precipitation total outlook through Wednesday morning:

However, several numerical forecast models indicate a potential for higher totals for the same period. That's to be expected during the convective season, when rain swaths can be concentrated but narrow as thunderstorms romp through the region.

Temperatures this week will be at or slightly below August normals. This month begins with average afternoon highs in the upper 80s. By the end of the month those values slide slowly to the mid-80s as summer comes to an end.

Happy Sunday!