Richmond, VA – Residents across central and eastern Virginia should prepare for possible severe thunderstorms this evening, with the highest risk window between 3 and 10 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service office in Wakefield, scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop Thursday afternoon into the evening. While not every location will see storms, those that form could produce damaging wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour. The main threat is strong winds, with tornado potential rated very low and flooding not expected.
Forecasters noted that storm motion will generally move west to east at speeds of 30 to 35 mph, potentially affecting areas including Richmond, Williamsburg, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and surrounding communities during the evening commute hours.
Temperatures are expected to climb into the mid to upper 80s and even near 90 degrees in some southeastern areas ahead of the storm line. The combination of heat and unstable air may fuel stronger storms in localized pockets, though overall storm intensity confidence remains low.
The National Weather Service urges residents to monitor forecasts throughout the day and remain alert for changing conditions, particularly in the late afternoon and early evening.
