TROPICS

The forecast cone for Ian comes up into Virginia. So, what does that cone mean?

Spend some time outdoors before the remnant rain from Ian arrives

Much of this week will get us in the fall spirit prior to remnant rain from Ian

Where Ian goes beyond Florida next week is still up for speculation

The wind howls again Sunday before a reinforcing shot of cooler air next week

Temperatures reach well into the 90s outside of the mountains Tuesday afternoon

The Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University cites warmer than average waters for its predicted active season

For the second year in a row, we’ve exhausted the list of names allocated for the Atlantic hurricane season.

Fall lovers, rejoice! Cool mornings and seasonably warm afternoons take us through the weekend

Not everyone sees rain. Where it does rain, however, it pours.

A sliver of tropical moisture will bring the chance for storms through Friday

Summer heat lingers for the most part, with tropical systems still flaring up

We trade Wednesday's summer heat for a preview of fall the next few days

Localized flash flooding and a few stronger storms possible as Ida moves through

Heavy rain and thunderstorms associated with Ida move through from Tuesday night through Wednesday evening

Ida's remnants could bring about a month's worth of rain to areas north of 460 Wednesday

High temperatures rise well into the 90s for most of the area Tuesday

Moisture from Henri helps to give us a few more storms by Friday before a hot and mainly dry weekend

Rounds of rain and storms will lead to localized flash flooding Tuesday night and Wednesday morning

Highs only top out in the 70s and 80s the next few days, thanks to more cloud cover and storms

The 7th-named storm of the season has formed a few weeks earlier than average

Elsa could bring a quick 1-3" of rain to parts of the region Thursday afternoon

Elsa will likely bring periods of heavy rain to Southside by Thursday

Heat and humidity return this week with Elsa riding the East Coast later.

This tropical system will not directly impact our weather in southwest, central Virginia

Summer kicks it into high gear as remnants from a tropical system draw near

Expect temperatures in the 40s and 50s first thing Thursday morning

We'll get a needed break from high humidity in the coming days

Experts at Colorado State University released their first outlook for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season

Dew point trends for the next four daysThis is when moisture from Eta meets up with a front coming in from the west. Rain may start light in the morning Wednesday, but it will become heavy at times in the afternoon and evening as the front sits nearby. FutureTracker showing moisture from Eta and a cold frontOur rainfall forecast indicates that most of the area will see 1-3″ of rain between Wednesday and Thursday. If the front stalls over the area, however, we’ll see continuing rounds of heavy rain throughout the day Thursday too. That would add to rain totals and the flood threat.

ROANOKE, Va. – 5 p.m. Wednesday updateA Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for many along and south of U.S. 460. Hurricane Zeta has continued to gain strength this afternoon and it’s now a category 2 hurricane with winds of 110 mph. 5 a.m. Tuesday updateZeta made its first landfall along the Yucatan Peninsula and is now emerging into the Gulf of Mexico as a strong tropical storm. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings have been posted in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and western Cuba ahead of the storm’s arrival. On the forecast track, Zeta will move into the Gulf of Mexico and make landfall late Wednesday along the Gulf Coast.

Meanwhile, parts of the Rockies and Plains are getting hit with a lot of snow from a powerful storm system out west. Winter weather alerts on Monday, 10/26/2020Then, there’s Tropical Storm Zeta which continues to strengthen. Tropical tracker for the next few days - ZetaRemnant rain from Zeta is expected here Wednesday night and especially Thursday. The exact track of Zeta’s remnants will determine exactly what times we’ll see the heaviest rain, but it does look as though Thursday will be the worst weather day this week. We’ll keep you posted as Zeta’s track becomes more certain.

– One of the most active seasons in the tropics (by some metrics) continues as Tropical Storm Zeta became the latest named storm in the Atlantic Basin. As of 8 a.m., it’s just barely at tropical storm status with 40 mph winds and it’s not moving at all. Tropical Storm Zeta satellite and current data (8 a.m. Sunday) (WSLS)The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has now tied 2005 with 27 named storms. 2005′s strongest storm, Wilma, was also stronger than this year’s strongest, Laura. 2005 vs. 2020 in the Atlantic basin (WSLS)There are still 37 days left in hurricane season and 68 in 2020 as a whole, so there’s a good chance we’ll see at least one more named storm to break the record.

ROANOKE, Va. – While some of you may have experienced spotty showers during the daytime Saturday, most of us stayed dry. Martinsville is the big winner for rain so far with Lynchburg and Roanoke not far behind. Today's chance of rain (WSLS)The wedge will also keep temperatures down as chilly air coming down from a New England high pressure system gets trapped against our mountains. Today's hourly temperature planner (WSLS)The weather improves through the early stages of the work week, with warmer temperatures and drier conditions. We will have to keep our eye on the tropics for later in the week as whatever is left of Tropical Storm Zeta could combine with a complex storm system.

YUCATAN PENINSULA, Mex. However, there’s still two months left in hurricane season and we have to stay vigilant as more tropical waves organize and strengthen. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says Tropical Storm Gamma has formed in the western Caribbean. Official Gamma forecast track (WSLS)As the storm slowly moves north and then west, it will dump torrential rainfall on the Yucatan and western Cuba, causing dangerous flash flooding. Tropical headlines (WSLS)Gamma is the 24th named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, and the third on the Greek alphabet list.

ROANOKE, Va. – Clouds continue to increase after a stretch of beautiful, fall weather. Hourly temperature planner for Thursday, 9/24/2020While you may see a few sprinkles Thursday, most of the rain holds off until the evening and nighttime. FutureTracker late Thursday night - early Friday morningAs the remnants of Beta team up with energy to our northwest, the rain will become heavier at times Friday morning. We’ll likely start with pockets of fog Saturday morning with clouds gradually decreasing by the afternoon. The last weekend of summer felt like fall, and the first weekend of fall will have hints of summer.

While it will feel like it in the morning, temperatures climb into the mid to upper 70s by the afternoon. Tracking wildfire smoke by Wednesday, 9/23/2020Come Thursday, we’ll see more clouds than anything as the remnants of Beta inch closer toward us. Most of the rain from Beta evaporates before reaching the surface Thursday, but that will change at night. FutureTracker late Thursday night - early Friday morningForecast models differ on how far north the heaviest rain will make it. As rain continues through at least the first half of Friday, it’s likely that we see an inch or less of rain from Beta.

ROANOKE, Va. – 5 p.m. UpdateTropical Depression 22 is now Tropical Storm Beta in the Gulf of Mexico. Beta will likely form Friday as well in the Gulf of Mexico. Friday Morning UpdateJust a day after Sally’s remnants dumped rain on our region, the Atlantic hurricane season strikes again. Tropical Storm Wilfred forms in the open AtlanticThis is the last name on the list for the 2020 season. 2020 hurricane namesIt’s remarkable to run out of names, but it’s especially remarkable considering hurricane season doesn’t end until November 30th.

ROANOKE, Va. The official peak of Atlantic hurricane season isnt until September 10th, but the tropics dont care about normal this year. Tropical Storm Paulette formed over open waters Monday morning, and is thankfully not a threat to the U.S. within the next week. This is the earliest P storm on record, and it beats the old record by 10 days. Both TD 17 (in central tropical Atlantic) & 18 are forecast to get named later today. The only names left to the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season are Sally, Teddy, Wilfred and Vicky.

A large area of high pressure is what we should thank for the wonderful weather. High vs. Low pressure (WSLS)After a cool start to the day, look for temperatures to warm to the low to mid 80s by afternoon. Well continue to see abundant sunshine and low humidity for this middle day of Labor Day weekend. Future Tracker Sunday 4 p.m. (WSLS)The weather looks pleasant for the Labor Day holiday as well. Three day humidity tracker (WSLS)While our local weather is quiet, the tropical Atlantic is quite active.

Laura is moving NNE at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. 8:00 p.m. Thursday UpdateTropical Storm Laura continues to produce flooding rainfall over portions of Arkansas. Laura is moving NNE at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. 5:00 p.m. Thursday UpdateLaura has weakened to tropical storm strength with sustained winds of 50 mph, gusting upwards of 65 mph. 11:00 p.m. Wednesday Update“Extremely dangerous” Hurricane Laura is closing in on the northwest Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

ROANOKE, Va. – Hurricane Laura is in the process of rapid intensification, as it moves through very warm Gulf waters. Tropical tracker for the next few days - LauraFor us, this will mean rain and storms Saturday. Isolated higher totals cannot be ruled out, especially if we get a southeast wind around Laura to move up our mountains. Laura weakens but brings rain and storms to us SaturdayThe main thing we’ll watch out for is localized flooding. It will be breezy at times, but we’ll notice humidity levels tumble behind the storm.

Business and defense community members will join him to talk about the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program. Donations will be collected today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sams Club on Wards Road in Lynchburg. The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors will meet today to discuss schools. The Roanoke County Police Department holds a Diversity in Law Enforcement recruiting event tonight. The event begins tonight at 6 p.m. at the Roanoke County Criminal Justice Academy on Barnes Avenue.

Depending on which zone you live in, your Sunday could be very pleasant or somewhat active. More clouds are expected during the afternoon and evening and there could be some storms that develop. The favored zone for storms will be the western mountains, we’re pegging those chances at 40 percent. Today and tonight's flood risk (WSLS)We expect a similar set-up for storms on Monday, with the highest chances coming in the western mountains. Both of those storms have the potential to strengthen into hurricanes and make landfall somewhere along the Gulf Coast.

ROANOKE, Va. The National Hurricane Center, as of their 11 a.m. update Thursday, says that we now have the seasons 10th named storm. A tweet by Colorado States Philip Klotzbach from Wednesday indicates that this is the earliest J storm on record in the Atlantic hurricane season. Tropical Depression 11 has formed in central tropical Atlantic and forecast to intensify into a tropical storm in the next couple of days. Current record for earliest Atlantic 'J' storm is Jose on Aug 22, 2005. #hurricane pic.twitter.com/fMOLFEmWJM Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) August 11, 2020The storm likely wont get a lot stronger or go a lot farther than the Caribbean Islands.

ROANOKE, Va. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an update to its forecast for the rest of the Atlantic hurricane season. Similar to Wednesdays forecast from Colorado State University , NOAA is forecast an extremely active season ahead. The warmer the water is, the more conducive it becomes for tropical systems to grow and intensify. Wind shear refers to the difference in wind speed and direction from the ground up. If we make it beyond 21 named storms, storms will take on Greek letters as their names.

ROANOKE, Va. Just a day after Isaas wreaked havoc up the East Coast, experts at Colorado State University released an update to their forecast for the 2020 Atlantic tropical season. The forecast now calls for an extremely active Atlantic season. Weve yet to reach the historic peak of the season, which falls between August 20th and October 10th. Frequency of tropical systems in the AtlanticWith CSUs updated forecast, we would run out of names. The current practice is to start using Greek letters once we run out of names.

ROANOKE, Va. 11 A.M. UPDATE:Tropical Storm Isaas is currently located near the Dominican Republic and is quickly moving northwest at 20 mph. Strong winds, storm surge and heavy rainfall will affect portions of the east coast beginning this weekend through the start of next week. Its taken quite some time, but Tropical Storm Isaas formed Wednesday night south of Puerto Rico. #hurricane pic.twitter.com/ehFewqzUyh Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) July 30, 2020This has been a challenging storm to forecast, and it still is in some sense. Two possible scenarios with Tropical Storm IsaasWell be sure to keep you posted on air , online and on Your Local Weather Authority app .

While some are quick to compare this to the historic 2005 hurricane season, its important to note that (so far) storms this season havent been as strong. Weve yet to reach the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, though. Hanna is a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico that will make landfall this weekend south of Houston, Texas. If we get to the W storm (Wilfred) and more storms form after that, they will be assigned Greek letters . Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs until November 30.

Roanoke has officially broken the record for longest heat wave as we hit a high in the 90s for the 23rd day straight. High pressure inches closer for the weekend, leaving storm chances limited and heat in extra supply. What We're Tracking later this weekend into early next weekStorm chances wont increase until the middle of next week. Meanwhile, we have a duo of tropical storms well offshore. Two storms in the tropicsBehind that, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring another tropical wave off the west coast of Africa.