Severe T-Storm Watch For Southwest Virginia

A storm system approaching the region will bring the risk for strong to severe thunderstorms in southwestern parts of the Commonwealth. If you have plans to travel into this part of the state this morning, thunderstorms may have hail up to the size of quarters, wind gusts to 70 mph, and frequent lightning. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 1 p.m. for the highlighted counties above. The risk in the rest of the state is relatively low, as storms are expected to weaken as they track eastward today. But any storms that either sustain themselves or develop this afternoon will have the risk for wind gusts to 70 mph with hail up to quarter-size.

We could get scattered showers and storms this afternoon in central Virginia as the upper low continues to lift northeast and weaken. A stronger upper storm system will dive out of the Plains by mid-week and bring a good chance for rain and thunderstorms to Mid-Atlantic Wednesday into early Thursday. A strong cold front will accompany that system and sweep through the state Thursday, ushering in drier and milder air for the Halloween weekend.

Patchy Frost Saturday Morning

A cooler, drier air mass has settled into the region after yesterday's cold front. With clear skies tonight and light winds, temperatures should easily fall into the upper 30s and low 40s in central Virginia. This could cause patchy frost to develop by Saturday morning. There is also a Freeze Watch in effect tonight for western counties along I-81 where temperatures should be coldest in the state in the upper 20s and low 30s.

The Full Hunter's Moon is tonight as well at 9:37 PM EDT. This nickname derives from hunters tracking their prey after dark by the bright light of the full moon. Hunting was vital during this month as people were stockpiling meat supplies before winter.

Tropical Storm Richard Forms In Caribbean

Tropical Depression #19 was upgraded to Tropical Storm Richard this Thursday morning in the western Caribbean. Maximum sustained winds are just at tropical storm strength at 40 mph (extending out 105 miles to the east of the center), but it shouldn't stay this weak for much longer. It is expected to slowly drift westward into this weekend toward Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula, likely strengthening into a hurricane. There is some data indicating that Richard could become a major hurricane over the weekend:

In any case, this will be another strong tropical system to affect this part of the Caribbean and Central America this hurricane season. Richard should dump 4"-8" of rainfall on Jamaica today and tomorrow before moving onto Belize and the Yucatan. Northeastern Honduras may be clipped by the system, but since the strongest winds and heaviest rains are east of the center, Honduras may be spared the brunt of the storm.

Into next week, Richard or its remnants may pass over Florida and southeast of the Carolinas. We'll be monitoring this system for any shift in the extended track.