Active Severe Weather Day Expected Friday

There were several reports of wind damage and large hail in central Virginia today, as storms moved through during the afternoon and evening hours. 15 minutes of ping pong ball sized hail was reported near Partlow in southern Spotsylvania county, and downed trees were reported in King George and Surry counties. A waterspout reported by storm spotters as "unusually large" developed just off the coast of Virginia Beach.
Friday should bring just as many fireworks to the Commonwealth, and then some. Plentiful low-level moisture and 90-degree afternoon heat will combine to produce thunderstorms capable of large hail and damaging wind gusts. The storms will develop in the afternoon and evening hours and should be scattered in nature. Another episode of severe weather will be possible late Friday night into early Saturday morning as a fast-moving complex of storms moves from northwest to southeast across the state. This complex would be the remains of numerous severe storms expected to develop in the Upper Midwest and Southern Great lakes region Friday afternoon. I've included the current severe weather outlook for Friday, and meteorologist Carrie Rose will have the updated outlook(s) Friday morning.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 9 PM

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for much of central and eastern Virginia until 9 PM. Expect hail up to the size of hen eggs and wind gusts to 70 mph with the strongest storms. There will also be the potential for a tornado or two, especially east of I-95 and north of I-64.

Severe Risk Thursday

Severe storms are possible in the Commonwealth Thursday afternoon, capable of producing locally damaging winds, large hail, and even isolated tornadoes.

We remain in an upper-level northwest flow pattern, where upper-level disturbances continue to pulse through the region. At the surface, a low pressure system will track just to our north today. These factors will provide the lift necessary for storms, but we will also have the afternoon heating today that we did not have on Wednesday. Breaks in the clouds should occur by mid-day, allowing afternoon temperatures to rise into the mid-80's, a good ten degrees warmer than our highs on Wednesday.

Initially, storms should form in the higher terrain of Western Virginia, then track eastward into Central Virginia this afternoon. There is at least a chance for an isolated tornado, as conditions appear conducive for supporting rotating storms.

Chief Meteorologist Zach Daniel will be monitoring the threat this afternoon!

There were several tornadoes yesterday in the Plains, but here is great video of one from Aurora, Nebraska:


For a full list of the severe weather reports Wednesday in the country, click here.
--Carrie