In Charlotte, N.C., residents are bracing for a hot and stormy week ahead. The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that today's weather will be sunny with a high near 98 degrees. Heat index values may reach as high as 102 degrees, creating an unusually sweltering day for those outside. Calm winds will become southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight, the sky will be partly cloudy with a slight, 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 p.m., and a low around 75 degrees. According to the NWS, "South wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening." Giving the impression that the south wind itself has an evening routine, the forecast may bemuse those who encounter it, reminding them of the unpredictability of summer weather.
Wednesday's forecast does not let up on the intensity, with an 80 percent chance of precipitation. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop, then transforming into showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. "Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall," the NWS warns, noting that new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch are possible.
The subsequent night will follow a similar pattern. "Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10pm and 1am," says the NWS forecast. This onslaught of rain and thunder could yield heavy rainfall, dropping temperatures to a low around 73 degrees. Seemingly indifferent to the desires of the populace for a peaceful night's rest, the storms seem determined to rumble through the hours of darkness.
Those hoping for a respite will find none come Thursday. Shower and thunderstorm chances carry on through the day and into the evening, with high temperatures near 90 degrees throughout. Friday follows suit, with variable cloud cover and a continued likelihood of showers and thunderstorms, maintaining a humid and unsettled atmosphere across the city. Saturday and Sunday offer a slight decrease in precipitation probability but keep the chance of showers and thunderstorms in the mix for the afternoons.
As we step into the following week, Monday's temperatures hover near 92 degrees under partly sunny skies, yet the area will still confront a 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Navigating through Charlotte's ever-changing summer weather remains a staple of the season, as locals routinely adjust their plans to the whims of the elements.
