Friday, July 8, 2011

Severe weather and flooding is a threat Friday into early Saturday

After rounds of heavy rain and non-severe thunderstorms Friday morning that produced up to 3" in a couple of hours (Williamsburg/James City County area), more heavy rain (1"-3") is expected as a slow-moving cold front slides south through the Commonwealth tonight into early Saturday morning. The atmosphere in Virginia continues to be ripe with rich Atlantic moisture and very warm conditions. As an approaching surface front and associated strong upper-level trough move into the Mid-Atlantic this afternoon and night, widespread strong to severe thunderstorms are expected in the region, with the greatest flooding threat from storms that move along the slowly advancing cold front tonight.
In addition to the flooding threat, some of the most intense storms will be capable of damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph, and also large hail. Although there will be minimal wind shear, an isolated, brief, weak tornado cannot be ruled out with any isolated storms that are able to rotate.
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