Central Virginia Blue Ridge
By Tommy Stafford
Hurricane Laura is now a tropical depression that’s been bringing heaving rain and some tornadoes to the mid-south region of the US over the last 24 hours. A tornado caused damage near Jonesboro, Arkansas as the tropical depression moved north.
Over the next 24 hours TD Laura will move toward the Mid-Atlantic and the Blue Ridge bringing rain, thunderstorms and perhaps an isolated tornado.
The Baltimore / DC National Weather Service Office that covers our area touched on that in their Friday morning forecaster discussion.
SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... Weak low pressure associated with the remnants of Laura will be moving from eastern Kentucky/Tennessee into the Mid-Atlantic region on Saturday as it becomes embedded in a cold front. With moisture advection under southerly flow, enough instability and shear values, dynamics are together to support strong to severe storms across our region, along with a heavy rain with PW values over 2 inches. There is still uncertainty in the details, but there is a threat for flooding/flash flooding, gusty/damaging winds and tornadoes. We are under a Slight Risk from SPC for Saturday for damaging wind/tornado potential, and a Marginal Risk from WPC from excessive rain/flash flooding. The weak low pressure/cold front will move east of our region on Saturday night as conditions improve. High pressure will build over our region on Saturday night and remain in control through Sunday night allowing for dry, less humid conditions. After a dry day Sunday, shortwave energy aloft could increase chances of showers over our region on Sunday night.
I’ll continue keeping an eye on Laura as she moves closer to the Blue Ridge and provide updates if necessary. The tropical depression should quickly move off to the northeast and out of our area by the second half of the weekend.
Have a great rest of your Friday and upcoming weekend!
Tommy
