Severe Weather Threat has Ended in Central Virginia

The line of strong to severe thunderstorms weakened very rapidly just after 10 PM tonight, and redevelopment of storms is unlikely. Breezy and relatively mild conditions will continue for the remainder of the night. Strong winds are still expected area wide on Thursday.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Extended into Central VA

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 1 AM for parts of central and northern Virginia. The watch area is roughly along and north of a line from Buckingham, to Powhatan, to Richmond, to West Point. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph will be possible as a broken line of strong to severe thunderstorms continues to move rapidly eastward.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect Until 10 PM

A broken line of strong to severe thunderstorms continues to rapidly move through southwest Virginia. Gradual weakening of the line is expected this evening, but wind gusts in excess of 60 mph will still be possible as the line moves through western Virginia. Greene, Albemarle, Nelson, and Amherst counties are included in the severe thunderstorm watch that expires at 10 PM.

Wind Advisory/Fire Weather Watch in Effect Thursday

A strong pressure gradient across central Virginia will result in even stronger winds Thursday than what we have seen today. Sustained west winds in the range of 30-40 mph, with gusts to 50 mph, will be likely in central Virginia on Thursday. The strongest winds should occur between 11 AM and 4 PM. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity values, and dry ground will result in high fire danger in central Virginia. A fire weather watch has been issued for much of the area for Thursday.

Very Windy Through Thursday

A very strong, early-season severe weather system has been moving through the Southern Plains and Mississippi Valley region Tuesday and Wednesday. Tornadoes, large hail, and strong, damaging winds have occurred from this system, and the risk for severe weather will continue Wednesday through the South and Ohio Valley region. This same system will reach Western Virginia Wednesday evening, with the risk for strong, damaging winds around 60 mph.

You can track the most recent storm reports associated with this system as documented by the Storm Prediction Center .

By the time this line reaches Central Virginia late Wednesday evening, I expect the severe threat to have diminished, with rain and thunderstorms moving through. However, strong winds will accompany this system today. In Western Virginia, gusts up to 60 mph are possible, while winds are expected to gust to around 45 mph in Central Virginia. Winds will remain strong overnight and all day Thursday as the tightly wound system exits to the North. Anchor outdoor patio furniture and bring in trash cans.

Chief Meteorologist Zach Daniel will be monitoring the system as it moves in from Western Virginia this evening and keep you ahead of the storm.
--CARRIE--