Weather! A brief respite before another midweek soaker

It’s been an…interesting…weather night across this part of Virginia. Let’s start with the short-lived tornado watch that was issued for the metro area at 6:24pm Sunday night. By 7:40pm it had been cancelled as the storms responsible for the threat moved eastward. However, there was something especially interesting about this tornado watch. If you look […]

March 7, 2011; 1:58 AM • by Weather Dan

It’s been an…interesting…weather night across this part of Virginia.

Let’s start with the short-lived tornado watch that was issued for the metro area at 6:24pm Sunday night. By 7:40pm it had been cancelled as the storms responsible for the threat moved eastward. However, there was something especially interesting about this tornado watch.

If you look toward the northwest of the area included in the watch, you’ll notice a small hole – that’s Colonial Heights. I don’t know why they didn’t get included in the watch; perhaps they have some sort of special anti-tornado shield? (Kidding, I swear.) Thanks to Will Weaver for the tip.

In addition to the tornado watch and thunderstorms that came through, and on top of the Genesis-like deluge that dropped up to 5 inches of rain in parts of western Virginia, some of those same areas also saw a transition to wintry precipitation Sunday afternoon. Additionally, many of these rivers and streams are either at or near flood stage, and as this water begins running downstream, those around Richmond will also begin to rise.

The James River at Westham is currently forecast to reach flood stage early Tuesday morning, cresting by the afternoon and then dropping back below flood stage by Wednesday morning. No warning has been issued yet, but now’s the time to plan for minor flooding along both banks of the James along the western parts of town and in low-lying areas all along the James through the city.

We’re past this weekend’s deluge now, and the clouds will part as we head into Monday. Plan on partly to mostly clear skies today, with highs in the mid 50s. Winds will continue to be quite breezy, in the 10-15mph range with higher gusts. Expect the winds to lessen slightly overnight, as temperatures drop to near 30.

Plan on more of the same on Tuesday, with highs again in the mid 50s and partly cloudy skies. Winds will continue to be breezy in that same 10-15 mph range in the morning, but will taper off in the afternoon hours. Cloudcover will increase some Tuesday afternoon in advance of the next system approaching from the west. Overnight lows Tuesday night will fall into the upper 30s.

That next system is going to be one to watch. Timing is still a little unsure at this point, but either the second half of Wednesday or early Thursday look to be the best times for arrival right now. Currently the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center is looking at another two inches or more of rain by the time this system passes, which should finally knock our rainfall deficit down to near zero. Unfortunately all this rain in a short period of time means another round of flooding risks, and the possibility of some downed trees as soil becomes softer and trees and power lines become easier to blow down.

I think it’s safe to say that March has announced its presence with authority. I’ll have an update about our next rain threat Wednesday morning. Don’t put away that umbrella just yet.

March 7, 2011 1:58 AM 3