Thunderstorms Today

An upper-level storm is currently spinning over Virginia. This storm has provided some cooler air in the upper atmosphere which has destabilized our atmosphere. In other words, thunderstorms have developed across the area. These storms are fueled by sunshine, so I'm expecting these to weaken a couple hours after sunset. The strongest storms will be capable of very heavy rain, strong wind gusts, and possibly some small hail.

Here Comes The Sun!

(Dominion Sky Tracker Camera at 8:40 a.m.)

Ah yes, many of you may have a "Spring" in your step today and a sunny song stuck in your head as the sunshine has returned to the Commonwealth after the first half of the week being cloudy, cool, and rainy. Here is our Visible Satellite image taken at 8:15 a.m. You can still see some fog leftover in a few parts of Virginia from early this morning (the white areas):

As high pressure settles into the Mid-Atlantic region from Ohio, we'll have more sunshine and warmer weather to end the workweek. A storm system currently over the Southern Plains will track northeast over the next several days and weaken. By the time it gets to Ohio on Saturday, it will bring us a slight chance for a few afternoon showers and storms Saturday, then a better chance for rain and thunderstorms on Sunday.

Rain Wrapping Up Today

Showers continue early Tuesday morning in most of Central Virginia, with storm total rainfall running 1"-3" in much of the area, with the highest totals south of Petersburg into North Carolina. Here is the storm total rainfall as of 6 a.m. Tuesday:

Richmond International Airport has accumulated 0.87" through 6 a.m. Tuesday, and we should add to that total a little bit thanks to one final round of heavy showers tracking through the Metro right now. Showers will taper off around lunchtime today, though, with rain chances remaining slim until this weekend.