May Rains Easing Drought

It's been more like May showers bringing flowers this Spring, and we've picked up nearly 3" of rain since this weekend with all the showers and storms moving through Central Virginia. All the rain has given the drought in the Commonwealth a big blow, ending the drought now in nearly half of the state! Here's the latest Drought Monitor (which doesn't even take into account the 0.5"+ of rain we received overnight!)

Heavy Rain & Storms Thursday Morning

Heavy rain continues to fall in Central and Eastern Virginia early Thursday morning. This is creating ponding on roadways, and flooding in ditches from runoff. Overnight rain totals have been up to 0.5" in the region, with locally higher amounts.

New thunderstorms are developing as of 4:45 a.m. in South-central Virginia in Mecklenburg and Lunenburg Counties, with occasional lightning and heavy rainfall. This activity should expand northeastward through the next couple of hours.

Another round of rain and thunderstorms is likely Thursday into the afternoon as peak heating fuels new development. The strongest storms will be capable of producing damaging winds and large hail.

--Carrie