Storms Possible Later Tuesday

Strong to severe storms are possible late Tuesday afternoon and evening in Central Virginia as an upper wave tracks through the Great Lakes region today and provides lift for storms. Thunderstorms are expected to develop mid-afternoon in the higher terrain of western Virginia, then track southeast through the late afternoon and evening into the rest of central Virginia. These storms will be capable of damaging straight-line winds, frequent lightning, and heavy downpours. There may be some hail in the strongest storms, as well. Ample low-level moisture is in the Mid-Atlantic to serve as fuel for storms with hot temperatures this afternoon generating convection. Stay with CBS6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm!

Summer Solstice Monday

The Summer Solstice, or the "official" start of Summer, is this morning at 7:28 a.m. Eastern. This is when, from our perspective on Earth, the axial tilt of the Earth is nearest the Sun.
The Sun appears to be at its "highest" above us as well, and as a result, today is our longest day of the year. In Richmond, our day length is 14 hours 45 minutes and 29 seconds from sunrise to sunset. The seasons are a result of the Earth's orbit around the Sun through the year, with the Earth's axial tilt being more inclined toward or away from the Sun's most direct rays at different times around the orbit (seasons are NOT the result of the Earth being closer to or farther away from the Sun in its orbit). This means while the Northern Hemisphere is most inclined toward the Sun (like us now!), the Southern Hemisphere is inclined away from the Sun's most direct solar rays. It is their Winter Solstice Down Under today.

(Northern Hemisphere Summer is the far left Earth in this diagram)

Rain Totals - Last 24 Hours

The storms last night completely dissipated once they entered into central Virginia...except for one storm the affected northern parts of the Northern Neck. Here are the rough estimates of rainfall from Doppler Radar.