Severe storms possible Wednesday

Rounds of rain will continue to track northeast through central Virginia, producing heavy downpours at times. However the worst of this storm system is yet to come. Late this afternoon into this evening a cold front will move into central Virginia, producing a line of strong thunderstorms with heavy rain, gusty winds and lightning. The primary threat with any severe thunderstorms ahead of this cold front will be damaging straight line wind gusts of 60-70 mph. However, this is also a slim chance for isolated, brief tornadoes in the yellow highlighted area on this map.

Ample moisture is in place, as well as some modest instability to encourage storm intensification ahead of the cold front.

Aside from the severe threats, heavy rain could lead to ponding on the roads and flooding of poorly drained areas and low-lying spots. Rain totals could climb as high as an inch to two inches in a broad swath of central Virginia! Rain should taper off from west to east during the first half of Thursday as this storm system moves farther offshore. It will be much cooler behind the cold front, with highs Thursday and Friday in the 50s. Seasonably cold mornings and cool afternoons will persist through the weekend with surface high pressure in the region.

Stay with CBS 6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm.
--Meteorologist Carrie Rose