Record highs and worsening drought

Today topped out at 89 degrees in Charlotte, tying the daily high record. Tomorrow we likely hit 90 for the first time in 2026 as our April heat wave rages on. Highs stay in the low 90s through Saturday, where each day will be within a degree or two of the daily record. Tomorrow has the best chance to break a record, with Saturday being the second best and our warmest day of this pattern.

Sunday changes begin as a cold front approaches from the west, helping to bring afternoon highs back down to the upper 70s and low 80s. There will also be the chance for an isolated afternoon shower or storm out of this, but it will have no effect on the drought. Monday morning a chill returns with lows in the 40s and afternoon highs near 70 with plenty of sunshine. We then warm slowly from there through the middle of next week.

The other big weather story is the drought that has gone from bad to worse. Mecklenburg County is nearly completely in an extreme drought for the first time since 2008! On top of that, this is the driest year to date on record in the Queen City, with us running about 13 inches behind on rainfall. There looks to be no relief from this in the next week. There are signs that a wetter pattern could approach towards the end of the month, so fingers crossed!

Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low: 62°. Wind: SW 5-10

Thursday: Mostly Sunny. High 90°. Wind: SW 5-10

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Low: 61°. Wind: SW 5

Friday: Mostly sunny. High 91°. Wind: Calm