Storms bring soggy Monday

Monday stood in stark contrast to the sunny, warmer-than-normal weekend.

A cold front marched across the state from the northwest and met up with warm, moist air from the south to create wet conditions that will persist for a few days, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

Caswell and Rockingham counties were under a tornado warning for about 45 minutes in the 9 o'clock hour, under a line of thunderstorms packing winds in excess of 50 mph and very heavy rainfall.

That level of severe weather is not expected to be widespread, Gardner said.

"We could see bands of showers and thunderstorm activity and a few of the storms could produce locally heavy downpours," Gardner said. "There is a slender chance a few severe storms could produce damaging winds or isolated brief tornadoes."

The wet weather will contribute to a tropical feeling before the cold really sets in.

"It feels very tropical, very muggy," Gardner said. 

Monday's high is expected to be near 80 degrees. Rain will be light to moderate through lunchtime and turn heavier later in the day.

"It's going to be wet all day," she said. "Take along the rain gear."

A dramatic temperature change will happen Tuesday, when the high falls to 64 degrees. A warm-up is expected by the end of the work week.

"Just be prepared today," Gardner said. "We're switching gears."