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!

Severe T-Storm Watch Until 8PM Monday

A Severe T-Storm Watch is in effect for the yellow highlighted counties in southern Virginia until 8 p.m. Risks include quarter to ping pong sized hail, wind gusts to 70 mph, and lightning. We've had plenty of sunshine this morning and mid-day in central Virginia, which will enable better destabilization of the atmosphere this afternoon than if we had remained overcast. Good south and southwest flow has brought a decent return of low-level moisture into the area. In addition, an upper-level low pressure system is tracking through eastern Kentucky and Tennessee to the northeast, providing upper-level lift and support for storms in our region. We'll be monitoring for any storm development this afternoon and evening. Stay with CBS6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm.

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.