Tornado Watch Expires Early

A Tornado Watch that was to be in effect until 10AM for much of central Virginia has been allowed to expire early as the severe threat diminishes. Conditions were favorable earlier this morning for severe thunderstorms, and we did have several warnings that tracked from Southwest Virginia into Mecklenburg and Lunenburg Counties between 3 and 4 a.m. Wind damage has been reported in Mecklenburg County along Route 58 and also 5 Miles North of Skipwith, VA. In that location, law enforcement observed twisted treetops and tree damage in a mile long path near the intersection of Skipwood Road and New Hope Road. Numerous trees and powerlines are down in that area. A tornado has not yet been confirmed. The setup for severe weather will continue this afternoon and overnight while ample moisture remains in the Mid-Atlantic ahead of a strong approaching cold front. While a large, intense low pressure system spins over the Great Lakes region, ample lift will be provided for storm development later today and tonight in our region. The cold front associated with this low pressure system is moving into the Commonwealth today, potentially triggering more storms. It looks like we'll have several rounds of thunderstorms, including our first from earlier this morning, another one late this afternoon, and a final round overnight into early Thursday morning. Threats include isolated tornadoes, damaging wind gusts to 70 mph, and large hail. Torrential downpours and frequent lightning can accompany these storms as well.

Tornado Watch Until 10 AM

A Tornado Watch is in effect until 10AM for much of central Virginia, where conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms this morning. Ample moisture has been surging northward into the Mid-Atlantic for a couple days, making our atmosphere unseasonably warm and humid. While a large, intense low pressure system spins over the Great Lakes region, ample lift will be provided for storm development today and tonight in our region. The cold front associated with this low pressure system will begin moving into the Commonwealth today, triggering more storms. It looks like we'll have several rounds of thunderstorms, first this morning, another late afternoon, and a final round overnight into early Thursday morning. Threats include isolated tornadoes, damaging wind gusts to 70 mph, and large hail. Torrential downpours and frequent lightning can accompany these storms as well.

Potent Storm System Headed Our Way

A huge, intense low pressure storm system is affecting the eastern half of the U.S., stretching from the Dakotas to the Gulf of Mexico. Blizzard Warnings are in effect for North Dakota, where the first snowstorm of the season is occurring with strong wind gusts up to 40-50 mph producing blowing snow. Wind Advisories blanket about a third of the U.S., from the Plains to the Ohio and Mississippi Valley states. But the main threat resulting from this system is severe weather in the form of damaging straight-line winds and isolated tornadoes. Squall lines have developed ahead of the surface cold front, producing wind gusts in excess of 60 and 70 mph. Embedded within these lines, there have also been isolated tornadoes producing even stronger winds. As of this blog entry mid-day Tuesday, there have been multiple tornadoes reported from Wisconsin to Kentucky, and there are tornado warnings ongoing from Ohio to northern Alabama.

In the Mid-Atlantic, we've had several days of good south and southwest flow allowing a surge of warmer, more humid air into our region (especially today!). This Spring-like airmass will be in place for the approaching cold front on Wednesday, leading to strong to severe thunderstorm development in Virginia. Our threats will be the same as what is happening today to our west: damaging straight-line winds around 70 mph, embedded isolated tornadoes, large hail, and torrential downpours. Wednesday afternoon and night will be especially prone to these threats, as the cold front moves into central Virginia. Stay with CBS6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm!