Thursday, August 5, 2010

Severe T-Storm Watch Until 10PM


A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 10 p.m. for nearly the entire state. Storms that develop this afternoon and evening could rapidly become severe with damaging wind gusts around 70 mph, but any of these strong storms will also produce torrential downpours and nearly constant lightning. Stay indoors away from windows and electronic equipment if a storm moves over your location. For Dominion power outage updates, click here.

Thursday's Threats: Heat & Storms


The same upper ridge that has been plaguing the South with dangerous heat and humidity all week is expanding into the Commonwealth today, potentially leading to our 11th 100 degree day this year in Richmond. Heat index values will be as high as 109 degrees in spots this afternoon. This hot and humid air mass in the region will be ripe for thunderstorms later this afternoon and evening as a cold front approaches from the northwest. The risks will be similar to the storms we've had recently in Virginia:

The cool front will finally slide south of our state later Friday, with seasonably hot and dry weather expected over the weekend.