Weather! Rain chances return for Sunday

High pressure will continue to dictate conditions for both Friday and Saturday, with highs in the 80s both days.

September 10, 2010; 7:02 AM • by Weather Dan

It’s Friday, which means it’s time for another drought update!

We’ve regressed a bit since last week; slightly more of the state has fallen back into the severe drought category. About half of Frederick County, in the far northwestern corner, is now in the extreme drought category. Richmond’s current rainfall deficit stands at 8.60”, and there isn’t much opportunity to make a dent in that anytime soon.

The good news is that the first part of the weekend is looking fantastic!

High pressure will continue to dictate conditions for both Friday and Saturday, with highs in the 80s both days. Lows Friday night will fall into the low 50s (and even cooler outside of town). Conditions will stay mostly clear through Saturday afternoon, with some clouds building in closer to sunset as a cold front approaches the area. Lows Saturday night will drop into the low 60s.

Hokiecast (vs. James Madison, 1:30pm): The weather for Saturday’s beatdown of the Dukes in Blacksburg. Temperature should remain in the low to mid 70s for the entire game under partly cloudy skies. Cool and breezy – almost perfect fall-like weather for football!

Racecast (7:30pm): The green flag drops at RIR at 7:30, with temperatures in the low 70s under partly cloudy skies. Expect dry conditions to persist all night, with temperatures in the upper 60s when the checkered flag falls.

A cold front approaching the region, including possibly some moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine, approach on Sunday. Clouds will increase, making for mostly cloudy to overcast skies through the day, with highs again in the low 80s. Expect the chance for rain showers on and off most of the day, including the chance of a thunderstorm. It’s too early to say exactly how much rain we might get out of this system, but with any luck it will make at least a small dent in the rainfall deficit. Lows overnight Sunday will fall into the low 60s.

What’s that? It’s going to rain Sunday? Why yes, it IS a great day to stay inside and watch football all day.

You’re welcome.

In their current forecast discussion, the National Weather Service says “hopefully some decent rain falls for this may be the last time for a while.” It doesn’t bode well for our long-term rain chances, but we’re going to see some great fall-like weather over the next few days. I’ll have another forecast on Monday.

September 10, 2010 7:02 AM 2