Thursday, April 30, 2009

An Unsettled Weekend Coming...

No change to the weekend forecast at this point...

We'll see a little sun tomorrow, and gusty southwest breezes will boost temperatures back above 80 degrees. Later in the day, expect a few scattered thunderstorms to develop. At this point, with most of the action scattered, RIR should be able to get the Lipton Tea 250 race in, although they may have to dodge some raindrops. Race time temperatures will average in the mid 70s.

It's Saturday's race that still concerns me. Numerous showers and thunderstorms will be over the region later Saturday and Saturday night. So the prospects don't look as good for the Russ Friedman 400 race. Race time temperatures will average in the lower 70s.

The rain will be due to a front that will wiggle its way back and forth (north/south) over the Mid-Atlantic through the weekend and early next week. That will cause occasional showers and thunderstorms to develop, so an unsettled period of weather is likely into early next week.

Rain Could Threaten NASCAR This Weekend...

Our rain chances will definitely be going up over the next few days. That's not to say it will rain all the time or even that often, but the threat will be there. Today will produce mostly cloudy skies and a shower here and there, but mostly "dry" conditions. Warmer southwest breezes will boost Friday temperatures back above 80 degrees and the threat for thunderstorms will enter the picture later in the day, as our next front approaches from the west. So the weather could potentially be a factor in the Friday night race at RIR.

It will probably be a more significant factor in the Saturday night race, as scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible over the weekend, and particularly later Saturday into Sunday. Temperatures over the weekend will average in the mid 70s during the day.

Unsettled weather will probably linger into early next week as well, with readings in the upper 60s on Monday to the mid 70s on Tuesday.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

A Change In the Wind...

The streak of hot weather is about to come to an end. A cold front sliding through the area by sunrise will turn our wind from the southwest around to the northeast. This will mean a much cooler day tomorrow, with afternoon temperatures in the 60s. Skies will become cloudy and there will probably be some showers developing in the afternoon. The unsettled weather will continue on Thursday, as the front creeps back north (after settling south tomorrow night). By Friday morning, the front will kick back to the north of us, enabling temperatures to soar back into the 80s.

Over the weekend, the next front will approach from the west and set up shop over the Mid-Atlantic. This will lead to more unsettled weather with a few scattered showers and thunderstorms from time to time. Temperatures over the weekend should be in the 70s during the day and 50s overnight.

Monday, April 27, 2009

One More Hot Day...Then Some Rain Chances

After 3 days of 90+ temperatures, we've got one more hot day on the way. Gusty southwest breezes will boost Tuesday afternoon temperatures to around 90 once again. Then a front will slide in from the northwest by Wednesday morning. The wind will swing to the northeast, and temperatures will be limited to the lower 70s at best (we may not get out of the 60s). Our rain chances will increase as well, especially by later Wednesday and Thursday. We'll likely stay in the 60s on Thursday, before the front kicks back to the north by Friday morning. That will enable temperatures to rise back above 80 to finish the work week. We may catch a couple of scattered thunderstorms later Friday, with another shot on Saturday as the next front approaches from the west. This front may linger over the area through the weekend, but that depends on the developing upper level flow. Stay tuned...

Friday, April 24, 2009

Hot This Weekend!

We're in for a rather steamy weekend across Central Virginia, as the temperature and humidity rise. Afternoon highs are likely to be around 90, but not record territory (the record high both Saturday and Sunday at RIC Airport is 96 degrees). Enjoy the bright, blue skies and tons of sun, but don't forget to protect yourself from too much exposure to the sun.

The very warm weather will continue into early next week, with afternoon highs still in the mid to upper 80s Monday and Tuesday. There will be a front teasing us just to the north on Monday, but it will likely kick back to the north. A more significant front will approach Tuesday night and Wednesday, leading to increasing rain chances and eventually somewhat cooler weather.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

The Heat Is On For the Weekend...

Tonight will be another cool night, with temperatures lowering into the 30s in some outlying communities. However, the warming trend will continue tomorrow, with afternoon highs close to 80. Then Mother Nature will really turn up the heat this weekend, as we head for the upper 80s to around 90 each afternoon. I don't expect any records though, as you can see the following record highs are way up there:
Saturday 4/25 96 degrees, set in 1925
Sunday 4/26 96 degrees, set in 1960
Monday 4/27 96 degrees, set in 1990

The very warm weather will last into early next week, with the next front not approaching until later Tuesday or Wednesday. Our rain chances will probably go up by mid-week, with a few showers and thunderstorms possibly developing on Wednesday. Until then, it's warm to hot, and rain-free.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Changeable Weather Today...Warm For the Weekend...

Gusty, cooler breezes will be the rule today, with changeable skies and a few more showers popping up here and there. Afternoon temperatures will average in the lower 60s, and temperatures tonight will lower to near 40 in the city, with chilly 30s in rural communities. However, the cooler air won't stick around all that long, as readings should rebound to the upper 60s tomorrow and well into the 70s on Friday.

Lots of bright sunshine is on the way to end the week and continue through the upcoming weekend. We'll be nice and warm as high pressure slowly slides to the Mid-Atlantic coast. West-southwest breezes Saturday and Sunday should boost afternoon temperatures into the mid 80s, and we'll stay warm into early next week.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Tornado Watch In Effect Until 10 P.M.



A Tornado Watch is in effect for all of Central Virginia until 10 P.M. Scattered thunderstorms across the region this evening could be on the strong side and possibly spawn an isolated tornado.

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS

Changeable Skies Through Tomorrow...Another Warm Weekend Coming...

We'll still be a bit unsettled over the next 24 hours, as low pressure tracks to our north and a cold front slides through the region. A few showers and possibly a thunderstorm will roll across the Mid-Atlantic tonight, and we'll probably see a few more scattered showers tomorrow. Then drier air will filter into the area on Wednesday, and it will be a bit cooler as well. Temperatures tomorrow should be in the low to mid 70s, with readings on Wednesday averaging in the low to mid 60s.

Later this week, we'll see lots of sunshine and temperatures will start rising again. After a cool start Thursday morning, we'll get up to near 70 during the afternoon. Then by Friday afternoon, we'll be approaching 80 degrees.

The coming weekend promises to offer more sunshine and warmth. At this time, afternoon temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid 80s, with overnight lows in the 50s.

Friday, April 17, 2009

A Mild Weekend...

We've got a great day on tap tomorrow to start the weekend. Lots of sunshine and blue skies will dominate, with afternoon temperatures rising into the upper 70s to around 80. The second half of the weekend won't be quite as nice with increasing cloud cover, but temperatures should still be up around 70 degrees. Our rain chances will increase by evening, although we shouldn't see more than a few showers.

The best rain chances will come on Monday with a warm front sitting just to our south. This will keep temperatures a bit lower, averaging in the lower 60s. By Tuesday, low pressure will track north of us, but more showers are possible. Cooler air will drift in behind this system for the middle of the week, but clearing skies are expected by Wednesday.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Frost Advisory Overnight...Then Warmer Days On the Way...

A Frost Advisory is up for all of Central Virginia, effective tomorrow morning from 3 A.M. until 8 A.M. The wind will lighten up and clear skies will enable temperatures to plummet into the 30s. Areas of frost are expected of parts of the area, especially away from the city. The advisory time is when temperatures will be near the freezing mark and frost could form.

During the day tomorrow, the sun will go to work and afternoon temperatures will be up around 70 degrees. We'll be even warmer over the weekend, with a beautiful day on Saturday, followed by some clouds arriving on Sunday. Rain chances will begin to enter the picture late Sunday or Sunday night, with the best chances coming Monday and Tuesday.

The Sun Returns...Warmer Air On the Way...

After a couple of dreary days, the sun makes its appearance today, which will boost temperatures back above 60 degrees. There will be a bit of a north-northeast breeze though, so that will keep temperatures slightly below average for this time of the year. However, we'll be warming up the next couple of days, with afternoon highs above 70 both Friday and Saturday. We'll also enjoy plenty of sunshine, as high pressure drifts over the Mid-Atlantic.

The clouds will move back in on Sunday, as our next system approaches from the west. This will increase our rain chances possibly as early as Sunday evening, but more likely Monday and Tuesday.

Monday, April 13, 2009

A Rainy Tuesday...Brighter Later In the Week...

A period of gloomy, unsettled weather is likely the next couple of days. We'll have a few showers around from time to time tonight, with steadier rain likely at times tomorrow. There will still be showers with us on Wednesday and the computer data continues to suggest the possibility of one inch or more of rain in many places before all is said and done Wednesday afternoon.

Skies will then brighten to finish the week, and lots of sunshine on Friday will boost afternoon temperatures to 70 degrees or higher. It looks like a great start to the new weekend with temperatures in the 70s on Saturday. Sunday is a bit up in the air right now, as another system will be approaching from the west. There is some disagreement amongst the longer range models as to whether we see any rain chances Sunday afternoon, or any precipitation holds off until later Sunday night or Monday. For now, I've added the threat Sunday afternoon...

The week ahead...

Cool, unsettled weather will dominate the first half of this week. We may see a little sun to start this morning, but the clouds will quickly thicken and we'll likely see some showers by evening. Some steadier rain is possible overnight into Tuesday and our computer data is showing the possible for an inch or more across parts of the area. As low pressure tracks across Virginia and to the Mid-Atlantic coast on Wednesday, more showers are in the forecast...but skies may brighten sometime Wednesday afternoon.

Conditions will improve later in the week, with increasing sunshine and rising temperatures. We could close in on 70 degrees by Friday and the weekend should be relatively mild with ample sunshine.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

A Sunny Easter...Rain Returns By Tuesday...

We're in for a great holiday tomorrow, with lots of sunshine and afternoon temperatures right around 60 degrees. That's a little cool for this time of the year, but it should feel refreshing with all of the sunshine. All in all, great weather for Easter on Parade.

The new work week will start on the cool side, with clouds quickly increasing Monday afternoon. Our next system will slowly track into the region from the west. It appears there will be a warm front setting up shop to our south, so we'll again be on the cool side with afternoon temperatures mainly in the 50s Monday and Tuesday. Rain should be with us on Tuesday and linger into early Wednesday, as low pressure slowly tracks off the Mid-Atlantic coast.

Clearing skies will then take over for the end of the week, but temperatures may still be slightly below average, as high pressure builds to our north. As the high crests over the coast by Saturday, the new weekend should start off nicely.