Week starts off less humid, still hot

Raleigh, N.C. — The cold front that brought blasts of thunder and lightning to the Triangle overnight will dry the air as it passes out of the region Monday, meteorologist Mike Maze said.

Despite the front, Monday afternoon was hot, with highs in the mid-90s.

The warm-up will extend at least through mid-week. Maze said high temperatures in the Triangle could reach into the upper 90s by Wednesday.

"There's a chance for thunderstorms here and there," Maze said, with the greatest chance for rain coming Thursday with the approach of another cold front.

Maze forecast a high temperature of 93 degrees in Raleigh and 94 degrees in Fayetteville on Monday.

Sunday storms, Monday clean-up

Duke Energy reported that more than 700 customers were without power by 1 p.m. Monday in Orange County. The Chapel Hill Public Library closed until at least 6 p.m. because it had no power, town officials announced.

In Moore County, the National Weather Service said police had reported several large trees blocking N.C. Highway 24 a mile west of Carthage early Monday.

High winds accompanied the late-night storms. Trees were knocked down in numerous communities, and two possible lightning strikes on houses a half-mile apart were reported in Carrboro, in Orange County, one on Pathway Drive and one on Deer Trail. In Chapel Hill, police had to divert traffic on MLK Jr. Boulevard because of a downed tree.