Friday, June 27, 2008

Hot With Scattered Afternoon Storms For a Few Days...

Temperatures in the 90s are expected the next couple of days, with the threat for a few scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms. The chances will go up through the weekend, with the highest threat coming Sunday and then again Monday.

I am taking a few days "off," but look for my complete 4th of July weekend outlook on Thursday!

Mike

Monday, June 23, 2008

Severe Thunderstorm Watch North of Richmond



A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect across Northern Virginia extending southwest to Charlottesville until 10:00 P.M. Wind gusts up to 70 mph and hail up to 1.5" in diameter are possible in some of the storms rumbling across the I-95 corridor. The watch area includes Charlottesville and Fredericksburg, north through Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Scattered storms are also possible over the rest of the state, including Metro Richmond.

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS IN VIRGINIA

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Heat records set...with more to come...

Record highs were set up and down the East Coast today and we were no exception here in central Virginia. Richmond reached 100 degrees, breaking the old record of 99, set in 1984. This was the 2nd earliest 100-degree occurrence on record. Norfolk reached 101 degrees this afternoon, breaking the daily record of 98, set way back in 1899. This was the hottest temperature so early in the season at Norfolk.

With more record heat expected the next two days, here are some other interesting stats to watch over the next several days, courtesy of the National Weather Service folks in Wakefield, VA:

In Richmond:

--- Longest streak of 90+ consecutive days (beginning before June 15th): 10 days (June 1st-10th, 1925)
--- Longest streak of 95+ consecutive days (beginning before June 15th): 9 days (June 6th-14th, 1984)
--- Earliest date of 100 or higher: May 28th, 1941 (in June, Saturday the 7th was the earliest...previously it was the 12th in 1914)

In Norfolk:

--- Longest streak of 90+ consecutive days (beginning before June 15th): 9 days (June 10th-18th, 1945)
--- Longest streak of 95+ consecutive days (beginning before June 15th): 5 days (has occurred twice/most recently June 13th-17th, 1945)
--- Earliest date of 100 degrees or higher: May 31st, 1991 (in June, Saturday the 7th was the earliest...previously it was the 9th in 1874)

Thursday, June 5, 2008

The Heat Is On...

Sizzling heat and humidity is expected over the region for many days to come. Afternoon temperatures will be well up into the 90s, flirting with 100 degrees. The heat index (how it feels when you combine the temperature and humidity) will likely reach between 105 and 110 degrees. Overnight lows will be in the steamy 70s. Take it easy, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and stay in air conditioning as much as possible. Avoid strenuous activities.

Here are the record temperatures on record for Richmond the next several days:
Friday 6/6---96 degrees, set in 1952
Saturday 6/7---99 degrees, set in 1984
Sunday 6/8---99 degrees, set in 1899
Monday 6/9---98 degrees, set in 1999
Tuesday 6/10---98 degrees, set in 1964

Today was the 2nd consecutive day with temperatures above 90. Many thanks to the folks at the National Weather Service in Wakefield for these interesting facts regarding extreme heat in June:

For Richmond:

Last time in June with 7 consecutive days of 90+ was 6/20-26, 1997
Last time in June with 4 consecutive days of 95+ was 6/27-30, 1959
Last time in June with 3 consecutive days of 95+ was 6/26-28, 2007
Last June day that the high temperature was 100 degrees or higher was June 16, 1991
The earliest 100 degrees or higher day was May 28, 1941
For June, the earliest day of 100 degrees or higher was June 12th, 1914

For Norfolk:

The last time in June with 7 consecutive days of 90+ was 6/22-28, 1911
The last time on consecutive days in June that high temperatures were 95+ was 6/5-6, 2002.
The last June day to have a high temperature of 100 degrees or higher was June 29, 1980
The earliest 100 degrees or higher day was May 31, 1991
For June, the earliest day of 100 degrees or higher was June 9, 1874

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

More Severe Weather...



A Tornado Watch is in effect for much of the region until 8:00 P.M.

Remember, a Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in and close to the watch area.

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS IN VIRGINIA

Early Morning Tornado Watch (until 10 A.M.)



A Tornado Watch is in effect across all of central Virginia until 10:00 A.M.

A batch of strong thunderstorms will move through the region early this morning. A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in and close to the watch area.

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS IN VIRGINIA

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Severe Weather Possible


A few scattered strong thunderstorms may develop across the region overnight and the Storm Prediction Center has us in the risk area for potential severe weather tomorrow (Wednesday). That means some of the storms may contain damaging winds and hail.

Follow this link to find out about current warnings in Virginia:

CURRENT SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS IN VIRGINIA

Summer Is In the Air...

Get ready for a period of very hot weather, with afternoon temperatures of 90 or higher starting tomorrow, going through the weekend...and into early next week. A massive upper level ridge will build over the eastern U.S. and we could flirt with some record temperatures. Rain chances will be somewhat low beginning Thursday and going through the weekend, although a pop-up afternoon or evening thunderstorm is not out of the question. Temperatures should reach the mid 90s Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and possibly beyond...with dew points up in the low to mid 70s. The heat index (how it feels when you combine the temperature and humidity) could reach 105-110 degrees, so be prepared and take it easy this weekend. Here are some record highs in Richmond:

Thursday 6/5---97 degrees, set in 1943
Friday 6/6---96 degrees, set in 1952
Saturday 6/7---99 degrees, set in 1984
Sunday 6/8---99 degrees, set in 1899
Monday 6/9---98 degrees, set in 1999
Tuesday 6/10---98 degrees, set in 1964

Sunday, June 1, 2008

The 2008 Hurricane Season is Officially Underway...

The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins today. And the first storm developed a day early, as Tropical Storm Arthur is out there over the Yucatan. For the latest info on Arthur, follow these links:

Public Advisory
Forecast Track
Forecast Discussion

Here's the full list of names for the 2008 Atlantic season, which runs from June 1st through November 30th:

Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, Ike, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paloma, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky and Wilfred

Saturday Storm Reports

Strong thunderstorms moved through parts of central Virginia, producing damaging winds and hail. There were a few possible tornado touchdowns reported as well. Here are some of the reports from the National Weather Service in Wakefield, VA:

3:25PM Thunderstorm wind damage in Trevilians (Louisa County)...trees down with power interruptions

4:25PM Estimated 0.75" hail in Hanover County...penny sized hail between Oliver and Gumtree near Route 738.

4:40PM Public reports of nickel to quarter size hail and trees down near Kings Dominion (Doswell/Hanover County) 4:54PM Numerous trees down and minor structural damage to a few homes about 5 miles northwest of Hanover County airport.

5:03PM Penny-sized hail at Courthouse near Route 1 in Hanover County. 5:10PM Numerous trees uprooted, blown down on Route 360 near Central Garage in King William County...POSSIBLE TORNADO.

5:20PM Numerous downed trees in King and Queen County, about 2 miles north of King and Queen Courthouse.

5:58PM Numerous trees down and structural damage along Etna Mills Road in King William County...POSSIBLE TORNADO TOUCHDOWN.

6:40PM Numerous large tree limbs downed near Lees Neck Farm Road off of Highway 17 in Glenns (Gloucester County)...POSSIBLE TORNADO.