Roanoke, VA – 6:30 p.m. Thursday Update:
This Weather Authority Alert Day has been cleared.
Thursday Morning Update
The threat for flooding remains elevated today. Heavy rainfall will likely prompt in flooding for isolated areas south and east of I-81.
The risk for severe weather includes roughly half of Southwest Virginia. Areas south and east of I-81 are likely to see isolated strong to severe storms this afternoon.
Here is a look at 2pm this afternoon. Skies stay partly to mostly cloudy with rain showers and isolated storms possible. Any storms that develop have the chance to pack a punch.
We are continuing to monitor a stationary front keeping close by as we head into the weekend. This will continue to bring showers and storms, and likely keeps the flooding threat elevated for the next few days.
Wednesday Afternoon Update
Radar estimated rainfall totals range from 1-3″ across the viewing area, the flooding risk is very much still top of mind, especially with even more rainfall expected tomorrow.
The risk for flash flooding has been expanded further into parts of the NRV
The risk of strong to severe storms will continue into the evening hours as a surface trough, which is basically a weak cold front, moves through the area.
A slight risk remains through this evening.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for the area until 10 PM. Storms that are currently moving through are frequent lightning producers, heavy rain makers, and in severe-warned cells, may contain hail.
Stay weather aware this evening and throughout the day tomorrow, as the Weather Authority Alert Day has been extended through July 10th.
Tomorrow--
While the SPC does have us under only a marginal risk, there is a higher risk for flash flooding tomorrow as well.
Wednesday Morning Update
The severe risk has expanded west and now most of Southwest Virginia is under a level 2/5 slight risk for severe weather. This means strong to severe storms are likely to be more scattered across all 5 of our zones.
The risk for flash flooding has also increased. A level 3/4 moderate risk is now in place for Southside and Lynchburg. Heavy rainfall could lead to impressive rainfall totals, and trigger flash flooding.
Should you receive an alert for flash flooding, you will need to get to higher ground.
An areal flood watch is in place for all of Lynchburg and Southside. This means flooding is prone to happen this afternoon over a large area.
Rain showers and strong storms begin to develop around the early afternoon with some packing a punch right out of the gates.
Coverage becomes more scattered around the late afternoon with heavy rainfall amounts becoming more likely.
Strong to severe storms continue to roll into the region this evening, and start taper off later tonight.
I want to stress that the risk for flooding is highest of all today. Any heavy downpours in areas that already have saturated grounds could see swift rises in water.
Tuesday Night Update:
The ample moisture within the atmosphere is here to stay for the foreseeable future, and as a result, could very well lead to some thunderstorms and flooding.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed areas east of I-81 under a slight risk (2/5) for severe weather. The primary concern here with any severe storm that forms is damaging winds. Tornadic development isn’t expected.
The other thing to watch for is the chance for excessive rainfall leading to flooding concerns. Some storm cells that pop up could contain some pretty hefty rainfall rates. This combined with the rainfall we’ve already seen, particularly in Southside, will lead to a pretty decent likelihood we see flooding occur, particularly within Southside.
Most storm development occurs between approximately 1 and 2 p.m. and continues into the late afternoon and early evening. The most severe storms wrap up around 7 p.m., with showers and stray thunder until about 11 p.m.
Remember not to drive through flooded roadways and exercise caution around rivers and streams.