Tropical Storm Igor Named

The 9th named storm of the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane season developed today from a tropical wave off the west coast of Africa. Tropical Storm Igor is a weak tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph right now. However, strengthening is expected over the next couple of days, when it could become a hurricane by week's end. A subtropical ridge of high pressure in the central Atlantic should steer Igor in a general westward track through the weekend. It is still too soon to say whether Igor will track to the U.S., but we'll be monitoring the steering winds and strength of the system over the next week!

Fire Danger Wednesday

As a cold front moves through the Commonwealth today, winds will kick up from the west and northwest at 10-20 mph. Stronger gusts are expected in the Shenandoah Valley region in the higher terrain today with very dry air invading the region in the wake of the front. The dangerous combination of low relative humidity, gusty winds, and low soil moisture could fuel any fires that start today. As a result, there is a Fire Weather Watch in effect 10AM to 6PM for these highlighted counties:

Rain chances along and ahead of this front are very slim, as we haven't had enough time for good, deep low-level moisture to return to the Commonwealth. Last Friday's cold front was strong enough to usher in a dry airmass that stayed with us through Labor Day. Today's front will be similar, bringing seasonable and dry weather for the rest of the week.