Cooler weather will be 'payoff' after storms

Cooler temperatures will reach the Triangle this week, but not until after some severe weather.

Isolated storms and showers are expected Monday evening, but the most serious weather is anticipated for Tuesday.

Central North Carolina is under an elevated risk for severe weather Tuesday as showers and storms move into the area around noon and are expected to intensify throughout the afternoon, WRAL meteorologist  Elizabeth Gardner said.

"The payoff for those thunderstorms on Tuesday is the cool down," she said. "We're looking at highs in the mid-80s and overnight lows in the 60s" on Wednesday and Thursday.

Meanwhile, North Carolinians will have to contend with searing heat.

At noon Monday, the temperature in Raleigh had already reached 91 degrees, with a heat index of 99.

The mercury is expected to top out at 96 degrees on Monday and 92 on Tuesday.

"It will be hot again tomorrow before those thunderstorms get here," Gardner said.