Unfortunately, Mother Nature has a ‘trick’ brewing just in time for Halloween. Strong to severe storms are possible on Thursday afternoon and evening. Some storms could produce a few tornadoes.
- GREATEST CHANCE FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE ALONG AND WEST OF I-95
- TIMING:
NOON TO 5 PM …. I-77 TO I-81 & BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS
5 PM TO 10 PM …. VIRGINIA PIEDMONT TO I-95 CORRIDOR
10 PM TO 2 AM …. EAST I-95 (LOWER THREAT)
The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted much of the Mid-Atlantic in a SLIGHT RISK for severe weather for Thursday afternoon and evening. The GREATEST CHANCE will be along and WEST of Interstate I-95
TORNADOES POSSIBLE
An area of low pressure along a strong cold front, will help to create some ‘spin’ in thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening. Damaging straight line winds will also be another concern as well.
Along and behind the front Thursday evening, strong, gusty northwest winds 35 to 55 mph, could cause power outages and tree damage.
SEVERE STORM TIMING
10 AM – 1 PM THURSDAY: Strong south-southwest winds ahead of the front will produce thunderstorms across Central and Western Virginia, as well as Western Maryland and West Virginia. Some of these storms will produce heavy rain. A few brief spin-up tornadoes are also possible.
1 PM – 4 PM THURSDAY: By early to mid-afternoon, we expect a line of storms to develop west of the Blue Ridge. This is an area that will need to be monitored closely for the potential for a few tornadoes.
4 PM – 7 PM THURSDAY: Thunderstorms approaching (or passing) the Blue Ridge mountains. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO GO TRICK-OR-TREATING IF YOU ARE ALONG INTERSTATE 81.
7 PM – 10 PM THURSDAY: Thunderstorms approaching (or passing) the I-95 cooridor, with damaging straight line winds and a few tornadoes possible. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO GO TRICK-OR-TREATING IF YOU ARE ALONG AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 95.
10 PM THURSDAY TO 1 AM FRIDAY: Showers and thunderstorms across Eastern Virginia and Delmarva Peninsula. Some storms may be severe but it’s a LOWER threat EAST of I-95.
STRONG WINDS
It will become breezy Thursday morning, with winds kicking up as we move into the afternoon. The strongest winds will arrive along the cold front and after the frontal passage Thursday night. Wind gusts will be anywhere from 35 to 55 MPH with higher gusts above 60 MPH in the mountains. Power outages will be possible, along with down tree limbs and branches.
RAINFALL
RAINFALL AMOUNTS UP TO 5 INCHES POSSIBLE IN THE MOUNTAINS. This will likely cause flash flooding. If you are in a flood prone area, please monitor local streams and creeks and take action if water rises in your area.
Across lower elevations of Southwest and Western Virginia, a general 1 to 3 inches of rainfall is likely. Lower amounts to the east of I-95, mainly under an inch.
