12th Named Storm of the Season Forms

Tropical Depression #14 strengthened early Tuesday into Tropical Storm Lisa west of the Cape Verde Islands in the east-central Atlantic Ocean. It is just barely at tropical storm strength with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. Lisa is drifting north at just 5 mph, and will likely never impact the U.S. It is expected to stay in the open Atlantic for the duration of its life. Its track is highly uncertain right now, though, as seen in this ensemble guidance track plot:

There is some indication in extended forecast data that a tropical system may be closer to the US at the end of this month, so we'll be monitoring those trends in the coming days.

Tropical Depression Fourteen Forms

Tropical Depression Fourteen formed this evening in the eastern Atlantic Ocean just west of the Cape Verde Islands. If this depression intensifies, it would become Tropical Storm Lisa.

River Level On The James

The river level at Westham in Richmond is 3.4 feet. Although this is exceptionally low, it still doesn't make the list of the all-time lowest...yet. Here is the list:

1) 2.00 ft on 09/22/1966
2) 2.94 ft on 10/21/1968
3) 2.94 ft on 10/10/1970
4) 3.00 ft on 09/25/1936
5) 3.00 ft on 09/17/1943
6) 3.12 ft on 09/30/1981

You can find more about river levels at the following links:

http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=akq
http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/?m=real&r=va&w=map