ROANOKE, Va. – UPDATE
The Weather Authority Alert Day issued for Wednesday, April 3 has been lifted.
A Tornado Watch is in effect across Southside and into the Lynchburg zone through 7:00 PM on Wednesday. Storms that form in the watch have extra energy that could cause higher wind gusts and rotation. Hail up to 1.5 inches is possible, and gusts can reach 75 mph.
Wednesday Midday Update
Storm chances last through the early hours of the afternoon. Warm temperatures in our southeastern counties provide fuel as the system moves northeast. Scattered showers and lightning strikes were common earlier today, though warnings were rare.
At 1:00 PM some extra storms can develop that grow tall and might produce hail. High winds are more common with Wednesday’s weather.
Only a few spots of heavy rain are left by 2:00 PM. Most of the storm system is closer to Richmond by then which has a greater chance of severe weather.
While we aren’t exactly dry our showers are much calmer through the afternoon. If you have to get outside today most conditions are calm enough after 3:00 PM that it’s not as dangerous as earlier in the day. Getting home from school is soggy, but driving home from work is calmer.
As soon as the rain is done winds pick up. Gusts reach 30 mph for many of us today with even higher winds on Thursday.
Storm chances are low through the end of the week. The wind stays gusty and brings colder air in from the north.
Wednesday AM Update (7:30 a.m.)
As severe weather continues to roll through much of our region, Your Local Weather Authority is working for you to keep you weather aware.
A Weather Authority Alert Day will remain in effect until 2 p.m. as we continue to track the threat of damaging storms and local impacts.
In the video below, Chris Michaels provides a breakdown of when and where these storms will arrive, the chance of strong wind gusts and large hail and when we’ll see a dramatic drop in temperatures this week.
Wednesday AM Update
A Weather Authority Alert Day remains in effect due to the potential for stronger thunderstorms east of the Roanoke Valley through 2 p.m.
The threat for damaging storms early this morning is low. Yes, there will likely be rain/rumbles of thunder for the morning commute.
It’s after 9 or 10 a.m. that the chance for strong/severe storms returns to areas east of the Roanoke Valley. That chance lasts up until about 2 p.m.
The main threat with any stronger storm would be the potential for localized wind damage, but hail and/or a tornado cannot be ruled out south of US 460 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
[DOWNLOAD OUR APP HERE in case any warnings are issued for your location.]
Tuesday Night Update
Things are quiet right now, but the main event is still to come. Chief Meteorologist Jeff Haniewich is here to let you know when a cold front moves through, and when we can expect more showers.
A Slight risk is still up for this evening and tonight (Level 2), and will bring the potential for severe storms to get going.
The timing of storms is shown below. Isolated showers and storms move through this evening/tonight with some being severe. Early tomorrow morning is when the cold front begins to push through and will also pose the threat of bringing severe weather to the region. By the middle of tomorrow, a lot of the moisture has pushed east, but some showers and storms riding the cold front move from west to east.
Tomorrow morning will likely be active starting early on. By 6 a.m., temperatures are in the 60s for most with scattered showers and a few storms.
As the cold front pushes from west to east, the threat for severe weather also pushes east. The Storm Prediction Center has outlined a Level 2 risk for areas surrounding Lynchburg and Southside tomorrow.
Severe thunderstorms continue to move through our region. Meteorologist Chris Michaels provided an update on when you’ll need your umbrella and when you should stay indoors.
Tuesday PM Update
Tuesday AM Update
Meteorologist Chris Michaels explains when storms will arrive, where they’ll hit the hardest and when sunshine will make a comeback.
Tuesday AM Update
Tuesday will be much like Easter Sunday and Monday.
Much of the day will be dry, but any isolated storms that form south of a warm front will have the potential to become strong. This could really happen any time in the afternoon or at night in areas mostly north of the Roanoke Valley.
A broken line of showers and storms forms Wednesday morning and moves west to east through the early afternoon.
The Storm Prediction Center’s most recent severe weather outlooks can be found below, though I think the Level 2 threat is a bit too far east of expectations for Tuesday.
Localized wind damage and hail are the main threats with any stronger storms, as we’ve seen in recent days.
The tornado threat is low but not zero Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Know the difference between a watch and a warning, and download our app here to get those latest alerts sent to you within seconds.
Monday Night Update
Although we were pretty dry today, this evening we’ve had some widely scattered showers move through.
Chief Meteorologist Jeff Haniewich is here to let you know how long storms will last, and when it’ll start to feel like winter again.
We’ve uploaded an Alert Day Xtra to walk you through the impacts beyond any scattered storm potential.
In addition, the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma has increased our odds of severe weather slightly for late Tuesday and Tuesday night.
An outbreak of severe weather is more likely to our west and in the Ohio River Valley.
Monday AM Update
We are extending our Weather Authority Alert Day through the end of our Noon newscast on Wednesday, April 3.
While this won’t be a severe weather outbreak, a few storms during this time frame will have the potential to cause damaging gusts and/or hail. The tornado threat is low but not zero north of the Roanoke Valley.
Once the front passes, the wind will pick up late Wednesday. Colder air will pour into the region later in the week, and our west slopes will get hammered with occasional snow.
[DOWNLOAD OUR APP to get updates on the Alert Day through text and video format.]
Sunday PM Update
Sunday’s showers are a taste of things to come. More showers arrive on Monday with some thunder, and storms gain strength on Tuesday.
Wind gusts are the primary threat with any storms that form on Tuesday. Hail could form, but the tornado and flood risk are low.
Monday’s showers are mostly light with some spots of heavy rain in the afternoon. Flashes of lightning pop up, but the severe chance is low.
We get a break from rain until midday on Tuesday. Those showers start light and gain strength with warm in the afternoon.
By 3:00 PM isolated storms develop north of US-460. Zones further south get more showers and storms in the late afternoon.
Our storms are most spread out in the late afternoon and evening. Most of us have rain at 7:00 PM with storms popping up through the area. Individual storms are more likely than a connected line.
Storms continue through 10:00 PM. From then until midnight we lose energy. Showers stick around into Wednesday, but the storm threat is done at midnight.
The storm threat is spread through our region, but the greatest chance for damaging winds is in the Highlands.