Summer-Like Warm-Up

A strong ridge of high pressure is building into the eastern U.S. starting today, and will influence our weather in Central Virginia through this weekend. Southwest flow will bring in milder air and plenty of sunshine beneath this high pressure, which will allow high temperatures to reach the 80's by Friday, and near 90 degrees by Sunday. Here is a view of the upper ridge by Saturday afternoon:

The record highs to beat are:

Saturday, May 1: 94 degrees (1942)

Sunday, May 2: 92 degrees (2007)

I think by Sunday, we may be very close to tying or breaking the record high! This stretch of summer-like heat will come to an end Monday, though, as the strong ridge weakens and slides southeast and a cold front begins tracking through the Commonwealth from the northwest. Ahead of this front on Sunday and Monday, showers and thunderstorms will be possible. Here is a view of the surface weather map by Monday evening:

The front will clear the state Monday night, bringing cooler temperatures with highs back in the 70's Tuesday into mid-week.