Haze lingers, scattered storms Sunday

We’ve seen plentiful sunshine for May’s final day, but smoke from Canadian wildfires nearly 2,000 miles away have dimmed what would have normally been a bright afternoon. The haze will linger for the next few days ahead as a strong northwesterly jet stream keeps us tapped into the smoke. To make matters worse, a sluggish cold front to our north will stall over the Carolinas on Sunday, yanking eastward an area of low pressure, which will give rain chances a bump as we close out the weekend. Scattered storms will erupt across the WCCB Charlotte viewing area by the mid-afternoon Sunday before clearing southward shortly after sunset. We’re currently under a Level 1 out of 5 severe risk; a few of these storms could pack heavy rain, gusty winds, and small hail.

Abundant sunshine and drier air find their way into the Carolinas again on Monday as highs hover near 80° to kick off the workweek. While some of the smoke will settle closer to the ground, we finally cut ourselves off from the jet-stream-driven smoke by midweek. Highs will soar into the upper 80s – possibly approaching 90 – by the end of June’s first week as more southerly winds set up over the Carolinas. Rain chances look to be few and far between for much of the upcoming workweek.

Tonight: Variable clouds with a few scattered showers early. Low: 58°. Wind: NW 5-10.

Sunday: Partly cloudy. PM scattered storms. High: 80°. Wind: SE 5-10.

Sunday Night: A few storms early, then mostly clear. Low: 58°. Wind: Light.

Monday: Hazy sunshine. Dry. High: 80°. NE 5-10.