Sunshine returns to Triangle this week

After weeks of muggy afternoons and almost-daily rain, summer returns to central North Carolina this week. Monday begins a string of days where the high temperature will top 90 degrees, and there is little rain in the forecast.

"Most of us should start the week with a dry day, but an isolated afternoon storm or two can't be ruled out for the southern coastal plain, mainly south of about a Fayetteville to Goldsboro line," said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.

Monday's forecast high is just 90 degrees, and it will warm up from there. The rest of the work week should top out in the mid-90s, with temperatures only cooling into the mid-70s overnight.

It will be slightly cooler along the coast, with temperatures varying from a high of 83 in Kitty Hawk to almost 90 at Wrightsville Beach. Those looking to cool off in the mountains of western North Carolina can expect thunderstorms by mid-week. The rain chances for Blowing Rock and Asheville are greater than 50 percent.