SATURDAY OVERNIGHT UPDATE
The Weather Authority Alert Day has been cleared.
SATURDAY EVENING UPDATE
A line of showers and thunderstorms is now crossing through the viewing area. Some storms are severe-warned at this time, and the biggest threat continues to be gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and hail. This line does have a history of producing radar-indicated hail up to 1.5."
Flooding is also a concern as more of these storms move through and in some spots bring torrential downpours. Projected rain totals through the event’s conclusion on Sunday will be around .5 - 2″ across southwest and central Virginia.
While this line will exit the area within the next few hours, we still need to be weather aware, as isolated showers and storms are still possible once this line passes through.
SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE
Overall, the extent of the slight risk from the SPC has not changed much since yesterday.
However, it appears that we’ll be in for some more prolonged thunderstorm development, especially as that system of low pressure approaches.
The greatest threat today will be damaging winds, although some large hail and frequent downpours are likely as well.
We start to clear up a bit by mid to late morning, which will allow the atmosphere to heat up and destabilize for the afternoon. That destabilization will lead to thunderstorm development later in the afternoon, with rain lasting throughout the evening.
A Weather Authority Alert Day has been issued on Saturday for the potential of heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and large hail. Here is the latest outlook from the SPC:
The majority of the viewing area is included in the slight risk. This is a 2/5 on the SPC rating scale. The greatest threats with this system will be damaging winds and large hail. Depending on storm movement, flooding is also something we will have to keep in mind.
The tornado risk is low, but not zero.
The first line of showers will roll through around 3-4 AM Saturday morning. In the wake of this line, skies will clear for the afternoon. The more sunshine we see in the late morning and early afternoon, the more fuel we will have to bring stronger storms to the area.
By 1-2 PM, isolated storms will begin to pop up. Again, depending on the amount of fuel we receive during the day, these storms will be capable of damaging wind and large hail.
Be sure to stay weather aware tomorrow afternoon and evening! We will continue to keep you updated on air and online.