Be weather aware! Severe storms possible to wrap up the weekend
Once the sun rises, we will add some instability to the severe weather ingredients and weโll need to watch any storms that form from that point through early afternoon. The entire region is under a level 2 (โslightโ) risk for severe weather, while portions of Charlotte and Halifax Counties are included in the level 3 (โenhancedโ) risk. AdSunday's storm threats (Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.) Future Tracker Sunday 10 p.m. (Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.) Future Tracker Monday 12 p.m. (Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.)
YES! A dry weekend before flipping back to spring-like temperatures
What we're tracking for the first weekend of March - 2021ROANOKE, Va. โ Weโve made it to the weekend unscathed by Mother Nature, thankfully. As we head into the weekend, expect things to stay a little chilly and breezy at times. That starts Friday with high temperatures mainly in the 40s and 50s under a sunny sky. High temperature forecast for Friday, 3/5/2021The breeze will stay intact at 10-20 mph with gusts occasionally higher than that. Wind speed and wind gust forecast for Friday, 3/5/2021Thatโs what will reinforce some colder air for the weekend.
Lynchburg could break a historic snow drought this week
The culprit there may be missing data, as opposed to no snow, as a local weather enthusiast pointed out memories of snow on a number of occasions. After further investigation, we unfortunately found that the snow data for Lynchburg (LYH Airport) on that date and pretty much that entire month was missing. โ NWS Blacksburg (@NWSBlacksburg) January 6, 2021While we canโt say for sure if itโs the longest or second-longest streak, itโs certainly historic! It may come to an end later this week as we expect wintry weather in the Lynchburg area. Itโs expected to begin between 5 and 11 a.m.Friday's wintry weather in the Lynchburg area (Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.)
Be mindful of the threat for heavy rain and flooding Saturday and Saturday night
Sheโll send rounds of rain our way as a front will be locked over us and weโll have low pressure to the west. Today's chance of rain (WSLS)The clouds and rain locked overhead should keep temperatures down to start the weekend. We expect rainfall totals to come in at one to three inches for most locations through 8 a.m. Sunday morning. Future tracker rainfall (WSLS)Looking ahead to Sunday, weโll have more rain in the morning before we finally dry out a little in the afternoon. Future Tracker Sunday 4 p.m. (WSLS)The beginning of the work week will feature more August-like temperatures and rain chances dropping to 20-30 percent.
Beyond The Forecast: How the pandemic is making weather forecasters jobs harder
To understand why this is happening, we have to explain how weather forecast models work. Weather forecast models can be described by the area they forecast for (resolution) and how far out into the future they predict. (WSLS)Youve likely heard of the ECMWF and GFS, but Your Local Weather Authority also uses the NAM, HRRR and other forecast models to predict our weather each day in southwest Virginia. (WSLS)Some forecasters trust certain models more than others and some models predict certain events better. In addition to examining model data, meteorologists and weather forecasters use their past experience, radar trends (nowcasting) and other methods to come up with the daily forecast.
Lyrid meteor shower set to peak midweek
We could all use a distraction right now, and Mother Nature just might offer that up for us mid-week. If you feel like braving the cold and pitching a tent, the Lyrid meteor shower is set to peak Wednesday before sunrise. Peak occurs Wednesday morningYouโll want to find a dark spot away from city/suburban lights, and give your eyes some time to adjust. Look toward the northeast as a starting point, but understand that these can be visible anywhere in the predawn sky. While youโre out there, see if you can spot Mars, Saturn and Jupiter in the southeast sky too!
The decadeโs first meteor shower is happening this weekend
The new decade has arrived, and Mother Natureโs first gift to us all is an amazing meteor shower that will take place this weekend. The Quadrantid meteor shower will be easiest to see during the predawn hours Saturday, but is expected to begin late Friday. The Quadrantid meteor shower, which is known to produce 50-100 meteors, was named for a constellation that exists no more: the Quadrans Muralis. An astronomer by the name of Peter Jenniskens identified the parent body of the shower in 2003 as the asteroid 2003 EHI. EarthSky reported that if the asteroid is indeed the Quadrantid showerโs parent, the meteors come from a rocky body โ not an icy comet.
Whatโs News Today: Flu shots, skiing
ROANOKE, Va. โ The New River Health District holds free seasonal flu vaccine clinics today. There are clinics from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Radford and Giles County Health Departments. We will learn more today about a new collaboration between two local schools. We will have more on the announcement today on 10 News at Noon. Virginia Tech students will join law enforcement for Buffet with Blue.
VDOT crews โgeared up and readyโ for winter weather
SALEM, Va. โ Winter is coming and VDOT crews are ready. VDOT spokesman Jason Bond said crews have been prepping for Mother Natureโs unpredictability for months. The VDOT Salem District gets 1,100 vehicles and $15.8 million of the overall budget. If winter weather hits this region hard and pushes the limit of that budget, Bond said it wonโt cause any immediate problems. Click here to track snowplows during winter weather events.
Wind, cold combine Friday morning; another Arctic blast next week
The only possibility of snow late Thursday night will be in Snowshoe, Quinwood, Mountain Lake, Burkes Garden and Whitetop. We'll turn more mild Sunday and Monday, before our second blast of Arctic air moves in next week. On the map below you have the moisture in green and the cold air in blue. 1) The cold air chases the moisture east, leaving us with little-to-no snow Tuesday. 2) The cold air and moisture meet up for a brief period of snow late Tuesday.
Fall began with 3 bizarre weather events
Michael Maier/CNN iReport(CNN) - Fall officially began on September 23, but clearly Mother Nature had other plans. The first few days of the season haven't felt much like fall at all for many across the United States. Here's a look at three wild weather events that marked the start of season. The city got 9.7 inches of snow on September 28 the highest one-day September snow amount in Great Falls history. History was made in Missoula, where the city broke its September snowfall record of 1.5 inches set in 1934.
While Bedford County is seeing severe drought conditions, it's not yet time to panic
A look at Gross Orchards in Bedford County amid severe drought conditions on Oct. 3, 2019. BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. - The entire state of Virginia is experiencing a drought, thanks to the unusually hot weather and the lack of substantial rain. For several areas, including Bedford County, the drought is considered severe. He and his family own an apple orchard in the county and he says the dry conditions are hard to ignore right now. Even though the water sources in Bedford County are in good shape right now, the water authority did want to pass on some water saving tips.
State Games of America opening ceremony moved to Vines Center
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Due to inclement weather, the location for Friday nights opening ceremony for the 2019 State Games of America has been changed to the Liberty University Vines Center. Spectators will need to use Gates 1 and 2 for entry into the Vines Center. Officials with the games say the athlete tailgate will still be held at the indoor practice facility. The Liberty University Transit will provide shuttles for athletes and coaches to the Vines Center first for the parade lineup. Click here for more information on the Games or to purchase Opening Ceremony tickets.
Few Friday storms followed by high weekend heat index
That said, we expect storms to start between 12 and 2 p.m. in areas west of I-81. A few storms will begin to drift east late in the afternoon into the evening. While not everyone gets wet, these storms will a) drop temperatures, b) produce heavy rain, and c) produce lots of lightning. Looking toward the weekend, temperatures rise a few more degrees as low pressure moves east. There may be a few spotty storms Saturday, with a little more coverage Sunday.
Scott Robertson opening round suspended
ROANOKE, Va. โ The 35th annual Scott Robertson Memorial Golf Tournament was slated to tee off Friday morning at Roanoke Country Club, but Mother Nature said, "Not today." The tournament suspended play Friday due to the course being totally saturated and unplayable. Just three groups were able to tee off before organizers made the decision to suspend play. In the 35-year history of the tournament, there have been shortened rounds and stoppages of play before, but never a delayed start. Play will resume Saturday morning with a delay of 1 1/2 hours, in hopes of giving the course time to dry.