New Tornado Watch Issued For Wednesday Afternoon

A Tornado Watch is in effect for most of central Virginia until 8 p.m. as a strong cold front advances into the area from the west. Ahead of the front, our atmosphere is ripe for thunderstorm development with unseasonably warm afternoon heating into the 80s, rich low-level moisture, ample lift from the approaching cold front, and wind shear. All of these factors are creating an environment conducive to severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts to 70 mph, isolated tornadoes, large hail up to an inch in diameter, frequent lightning, and torrential downpours. Our threat will likely continue beyond 8 p.m. into the early morning hours Thursday. We'll be in the clear once the cold front passes into far southeast Virginia by mid-morning. Until then, we'll be monitoring the severe threat round the clock. Stay with CBS6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm.

Tornado Watch Expires Early

A Tornado Watch that was to be in effect until 10AM for much of central Virginia has been allowed to expire early as the severe threat diminishes. Conditions were favorable earlier this morning for severe thunderstorms, and we did have several warnings that tracked from Southwest Virginia into Mecklenburg and Lunenburg Counties between 3 and 4 a.m. Wind damage has been reported in Mecklenburg County along Route 58 and also 5 Miles North of Skipwith, VA. In that location, law enforcement observed twisted treetops and tree damage in a mile long path near the intersection of Skipwood Road and New Hope Road. Numerous trees and powerlines are down in that area. A tornado has not yet been confirmed. The setup for severe weather will continue this afternoon and overnight while ample moisture remains in the Mid-Atlantic ahead of a strong approaching cold front. While a large, intense low pressure system spins over the Great Lakes region, ample lift will be provided for storm development later today and tonight in our region. The cold front associated with this low pressure system is moving into the Commonwealth today, potentially triggering more storms. It looks like we'll have several rounds of thunderstorms, including our first from earlier this morning, another one late this afternoon, and a final round overnight into early Thursday morning. Threats include isolated tornadoes, damaging wind gusts to 70 mph, and large hail. Torrential downpours and frequent lightning can accompany these storms as well.

Tornado Watch Until 10 AM

A Tornado Watch is in effect until 10AM for much of central Virginia, where conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms this morning. Ample moisture has been surging northward into the Mid-Atlantic for a couple days, making our atmosphere unseasonably warm and humid. While a large, intense low pressure system spins over the Great Lakes region, ample lift will be provided for storm development today and tonight in our region. The cold front associated with this low pressure system will begin moving into the Commonwealth today, triggering more storms. It looks like we'll have several rounds of thunderstorms, first this morning, another late afternoon, and a final round overnight into early Thursday morning. Threats include isolated tornadoes, damaging wind gusts to 70 mph, and large hail. Torrential downpours and frequent lightning can accompany these storms as well.