Wind Advisory/Fire Weather Watch in Effect Thursday

A strong pressure gradient across central Virginia will result in even stronger winds Thursday than what we have seen today. Sustained west winds in the range of 30-40 mph, with gusts to 50 mph, will be likely in central Virginia on Thursday. The strongest winds should occur between 11 AM and 4 PM. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity values, and dry ground will result in high fire danger in central Virginia. A fire weather watch has been issued for much of the area for Thursday.

Very Windy Through Thursday

A very strong, early-season severe weather system has been moving through the Southern Plains and Mississippi Valley region Tuesday and Wednesday. Tornadoes, large hail, and strong, damaging winds have occurred from this system, and the risk for severe weather will continue Wednesday through the South and Ohio Valley region. This same system will reach Western Virginia Wednesday evening, with the risk for strong, damaging winds around 60 mph.

You can track the most recent storm reports associated with this system as documented by the Storm Prediction Center .

By the time this line reaches Central Virginia late Wednesday evening, I expect the severe threat to have diminished, with rain and thunderstorms moving through. However, strong winds will accompany this system today. In Western Virginia, gusts up to 60 mph are possible, while winds are expected to gust to around 45 mph in Central Virginia. Winds will remain strong overnight and all day Thursday as the tightly wound system exits to the North. Anchor outdoor patio furniture and bring in trash cans.

Chief Meteorologist Zach Daniel will be monitoring the system as it moves in from Western Virginia this evening and keep you ahead of the storm.
--CARRIE--

Big Changes Coming

Wednesday will be another warm and breezy day across central Virginia ahead of a strong storm system that produced widespread severe weather, including tornadoes, in the central U.S. The change in temperatures across central Virginia won't be sudden, but will take place gradually through the weekend. It looks very likely that we will go from highs in the mid 70s on Wednesday, to highs in the mid 40s over the weekend. There is a slight indication from some of the evening data, that parts of the area could see a few snowflakes on Sunday. I'll have another update on this Wednesday afternoon.