Monday, April 20, 2009

Tornado Watch Cancelled

A tornado watch is no longer in effect for any part of the state, as storms have moved east and have weakened over the past few hours. There were numerous tornado warnings today, and even a report of a funnel cloud over Prince George, but no confirmed tornadoes were reported. Large hail and straight-line wind damage accompanied many of the severe thunderstorms that moved through central Virginia today. A few showers and isolated thunderstorms will be possible on Tuesday, but any activity we see will be lesser in both coverage and intensity.

Tornado Watch Until 10 PM

It's now official, Tornado Watch until 10 PM. Strong thunderstorms will develop in the next couple hours a race off to the east later this evening. We will track these storms and bring you the very latest through the afternoon and evening. Stay with CBS 6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm!

Watch Likely Soon

A Tornado Watch will probably be issued very soon. There is enough twist in the atmosphere to support rotation in some of the strongest storms this afternoon evening. We will be streaming live from now until the last severe storm moves out of the area.

Severe Storms Possible Monday Afternoon

The upper-level storm system spinning into the Ohio Valley region Monday will provide a chance for strong to severe thunderstorms in much of the Commonwealth Monday afternoon and early evening. The green area in the map below indicates the region likely to have strong storms. Risks will include large hail and damaging winds, but there is also a threat for isolated tornadoes, particularly in the Eastern half of Virginia.

The severe risk will be enhanced this afternoon with any breaks in the clouds we get to allow extra daytime heating, whereas the risk will remain more marginal with overcast skies. However, several other factors will aid storm development, including a deepening upper-storm system, lower-level wind shear, ample lift and surface convergence, and instability developing in the afternoon.

We'll be watching this situation very closely today!
--Carrie