Wet start, then great weekend

The Memorial Day weekend is playing out pretty much the way forecasters expected, with widespread showers and thunderstorms likely today, and then fast-improving conditions Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Today won't be a total washout, but it won't be pretty, either.

A weak cold front has stalled over the western Carolinas, and several weak areas of low pressure will ride along the front today. The first of those crossed the Charlotte area Friday morning with heavy showers. A few more of those systems are expected to follow today.

By this afternoon, there will be enough instability in the atmosphere for those weak low pressure areas to trigger a few thunderstorms, but the storms aren't expected to be severe.

Bottom line ... today will be wet at times, with periods of dry weather mixed in. Temperatures will be cooler than in recent days, with highs only near 80. Humidity levels will be very high, however.

If you're going to Speed Street today, or to the race track walk and cookout at Charlotte Motor Speedway, be ready for occasional rainy periods.

The weak front will dissipate late tonight. On Saturday, there will be a bit of moisture and instability left behind, and it could be enough to create a few showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. But don't fret ... most of the day will be partly sunny, and the precipitation will be widely scattered.

Temperatures will make a comeback Saturday, with highs in the middle 80s.

And by Sunday, it'll be back to the kind of weather we had earlier this week. Expect sunshine and hot temperatures, with highs near 90.

Beach weather will be outstanding, with no rain Saturday, Sunday or Monday -- and probably no rain today, either. The mountains will be rainy today, with scattered showers again Saturday. Conditions will be dry and very nice Sunday and Monday.