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.

Fall Colors Looking Good in Virginia

Despite a rough Spring and Summer drought with extreme heat, the Fall foliage is doing well in the Commonwealth! The Virginia Department of Forestry reports that fall colors are showing up in much of the state now, especially in the southwest.

"In Southwest Virginia, colors continue to transition away from green. In the New River Valley, approximately one-quarter to one-third of the trees have color. In the Allegheny Mountains, significant color change can be seen in western Highland County as well as the eastern part of the county. In the Shenandoah Valley, the fall color change is underway. Fall colors continue unfolding in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. At this time, peak colors are expected in the mountains during late October; the Piedmont and Coastal Plain are expected to peak during mid-to-late November." (Oct 14 statement)

Here's the latest foliage report map for our region:
Leaf drop remains low across much of the region, which means the beautiful colors are still on most of our trees.

Email us at weather@wtvr.com, Tweet us @CBS6StormTeam, or Facebook us your Fall foliage pictures. We may show them on air or online in the coming weeks!

"Super Typhoon" To Affect Philippines

Typhoon Megi is going to make landfall in northern parts of the Philippines tonight. Sustained winds have been as high as 180 mph with gusts up to 200 mph! In addition, maximum wave height is 37 feet. This is a powerful system that will cause a lot of destruction.