Richmond, Va. – Virginians should prepare for another active round of severe weather Tuesday, with strong to severe thunderstorms expected to develop during the afternoon and continue into the evening. The greatest concern is damaging wind gusts capable of exceeding 60 mph, but isolated tornadoes, large hail and localized flash flooding are also possible.
According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread between noon and 10 p.m. Tuesday as a line of storms moves east-northeast across the Commonwealth. Confidence is moderate to high that storms will develop, with forecasters also expressing moderate to high confidence in severe storm intensity and coverage.
Much of central and eastern Virginia, including Richmond, Williamsburg, the Northern Neck and portions of Hampton Roads, is under a Level 2 of 5 Slight Risk for severe weather. Areas across northern Virginia are included in a Level 3 of 5 Enhanced Risk, where a greater concentration of severe storms is possible. Far southeastern Virginia and northeast North Carolina remain under a Level 1 of 5 Marginal Risk.
Damaging straight-line winds remain the primary hazard, with gusts between 50 and 60 mph or higher capable of downing trees and power lines. Forecasters also note that isolated tornadoes and pockets of large hail cannot be ruled out. In addition, scattered thunderstorms may produce torrential rainfall, creating localized flash flooding, especially where multiple storms track over the same locations.
Residents should secure outdoor items before storms arrive, avoid driving through flooded roadways and ensure they have multiple ways to receive weather warnings throughout the afternoon and evening. Those with outdoor plans should be prepared to move indoors quickly as storms approach.
Additional watches and warnings may be issued as storms develop Tuesday. Continue monitoring updates from the National Weather Service and local emergency management officials as conditions evolve.
