Charlotte woke up to a cool, crystal-clear Saturday morning in the mid-50s (about 55°F at sunrise), but the chill will not stick around for long. Today, Saturday, May 16, expect bright sunshine, a high near 86°F and light south-southwest breezes. That late-spring warmth is set to flip the switch to a more summer-like stretch, with highs climbing into the upper 80s and low 90s by early next week.
Afternoon Heat And Midweek Outlook
The hottest stretch hits Sunday, May 17 through Tuesday, May 19, with highs near 89°F on May 17 and around 91°F on May 18 and 19. A cold front sliding in from the northwest will bring better odds for showers and thunderstorms from Wednesday afternoon, May 20, through Friday, May 22, though most guidance still keeps rainfall totals on the lighter side and widespread drought relief unlikely. That pattern of warmer readings early in the week followed by increasing midweek shower chances comes from the National Weather Service.
Plan Ahead
Plan outdoor workouts, yard work or errands for the cooler morning hours, and try to move the heaviest tasks indoors during the hottest part of the afternoon. If you do not have reliable air conditioning, Mecklenburg County keeps a list of cooling stations, spraygrounds and library hours that can help during hot spells. It is also worth having a backup plan for any midweek activities in case those showers or thunderstorms decide to pop up.
No watches or warnings are in effect for Charlotte this morning, but conditions can change quickly, so keep an eye on updated forecasts before travel or big outdoor plans. We will update readers if any advisories are issued later in the week.
