Rain Totals from Saturday Storms

A few thunderstorms developed this afternoon in parts of Central Virginia, including a severe thunderstorm that affected Spotsylvania County and blew over ten trees near Gatewood. Locally heavy rainfall occurred with that storm, leading up to about 0.4" of accumulation. Another thunderstorm tracked along and north of I-64, just missing Richmond, late this afternoon. This storm was not as strong as the earlier northern storm, but it still produced about a quarter inch of rain or less and knocked out power to some customers as a result of lightning.

Severe Risk Saturday

If you've been outside at all today, you already know it is both hot and humid! This afternoon heating with sunny skies and ample moisture should lead to scattered thunderstorm development by mid-afternoon. Some of these storms may become severe with damaging wind gusts in excess of 65 mph and hail larger than quarters. However, any of these afternoon and evening thunderstorms that develop will have heavy downpours and frequent lightning, so if you see an approaching thunderstorm and can hear the thunder, move indoors. It doesn't look like everyone will get these storms, but stay weather aware through this evening. Storms should develop first in the higher terrain to the west and in the Piedmont, then track southeast through the rest of the area.