Richmond, Va. –
A wide swath of Virginia, including Richmond, Charlottesville, and Hampton Roads, is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10 p.m. Saturday, as storms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail move through the region.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, the watch covers more than 60 counties and independent cities, from Albemarle to Virginia Beach. The primary threats include wind gusts over 60 mph, isolated hail up to 1 inch in diameter, and localized power outages caused by downed trees and utility lines.
Residents in Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and surrounding areas should monitor local alerts and prepare for possible sudden storm developments. Storm cells could quickly intensify this evening, especially along I-64, I-95, and Route 460. Flash flooding may occur in poor-drainage areas, particularly in urban zones such as Norfolk and Petersburg.
Emergency officials recommend avoiding travel during active storms, charging mobile devices, and securing outdoor furniture or equipment. Those with evening plans should stay weather-aware as lightning, torrential rain, and scattered outages could disrupt events.
This watch remains active until 10 p.m., but additional warnings or new watches could follow if the storm line stalls or strengthens. Stay with local alerts and NOAA Weather Radio for real-time updates.
