Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Showers Linger, Severe Threat Gone

Now we get to enjoy some dessert after the main course earlier this afternoon. Widely scattered showers will persist across the area for the next few hours, then completely dissipate later tonight. Hopefully we can get another quarter inch - we need it!

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

All of Central Virginia is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 8 PM this evening. A powerful batch of thunderstorms is headed this way - large hail and damaging will will be the primary threats.

Strong to Severe Thunderstorms Possible This Afternoon & Eve

Per Zach's discussion yesterday, we have a risk for strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening in Central Virginia. Here is the updated slight risk map.
The warm front Zach mentioned has lifted to the north of the Commonwealth overnight, and is now draped across Maryland. To the south of this boundary, we have southerly and southwesterly winds ushering in warmer temperatures and low-level moisture. You'll notice it will feel more humid today than the last several days. This moisture and afternoon heating will serve as fuel for thunderstorm development from lunchtime through the evening. The boundary to our north will drift south back into northern Virginia today, and the convergence along this boundary should aid thunderstorm development. Also, an upper-level wave will track over Virginia this afternoon and evening, providing the lift necessary for storms. Storm motion, as Zach mentioned previously, should initially be eastward, with line segment/storm clusters moving east-southeasterly. The stalled boundary will accelerate southward overnight, though, as a cold front with showers and move into North Carolina before sunrise tomorrow. This will bring the return of milder temperatures for Thursday, with highs in the upper-60's and low-70's.