INSIDER
Tropical system sneakily forming off East Coast; brings rain and gusts to our area Saturday
Read full article: Tropical system sneakily forming off East Coast; brings rain and gusts to our area SaturdayA system is quickly getting going off the East Coast and will be a player in our weather Friday night into Saturday
Tropics Update: SoCal may sees first-ever Tropical Storm Watch; four storms in the Atlantic
Read full article: Tropics Update: SoCal may sees first-ever Tropical Storm Watch; four storms in the AtlanticHilary is set to bring inches of rain to southern California, while the Atlantic hurricane season gets going
Increase in tropical development expected as we near the peak of Hurricane Season
Read full article: Increase in tropical development expected as we near the peak of Hurricane SeasonA few showers here and there for Tuesday. Dry air moves in overnight, and clear skies expected for the rest of the week.
Moisture from Eta to provide another soaking rain in our area
Read full article: Moisture from Eta to provide another soaking rain in our areaDew point trends for the next four daysThis is when moisture from Eta meets up with a front coming in from the west. Rain may start light in the morning Wednesday, but it will become heavy at times in the afternoon and evening as the front sits nearby. FutureTracker showing moisture from Eta and a cold frontOur rainfall forecast indicates that most of the area will see 1-3โณ of rain between Wednesday and Thursday. If the front stalls over the area, however, weโll see continuing rounds of heavy rain throughout the day Thursday too. That would add to rain totals and the flood threat.
Tropical Storm Warning issued for parts of Virginia with Zeta expected to make landfall Wednesday evening
Read full article: Tropical Storm Warning issued for parts of Virginia with Zeta expected to make landfall Wednesday eveningROANOKE, Va. โ 5 p.m. Wednesday updateA Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for many along and south of U.S. 460. Hurricane Zeta has continued to gain strength this afternoon and itโs now a category 2 hurricane with winds of 110 mph. 5 a.m. Tuesday updateZeta made its first landfall along the Yucatan Peninsula and is now emerging into the Gulf of Mexico as a strong tropical storm. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings have been posted in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and western Cuba ahead of the stormโs arrival. On the forecast track, Zeta will move into the Gulf of Mexico and make landfall late Wednesday along the Gulf Coast.
Snowstorm, tropical system weaken before giving us more rain later this week
Read full article: Snowstorm, tropical system weaken before giving us more rain later this weekMeanwhile, parts of the Rockies and Plains are getting hit with a lot of snow from a powerful storm system out west. Winter weather alerts on Monday, 10/26/2020Then, thereโs Tropical Storm Zeta which continues to strengthen. Tropical tracker for the next few days - ZetaRemnant rain from Zeta is expected here Wednesday night and especially Thursday. The exact track of Zetaโs remnants will determine exactly what times weโll see the heaviest rain, but it does look as though Thursday will be the worst weather day this week. Weโll keep you posted as Zetaโs track becomes more certain.
2020 ties 2005 as most active season as Tropical Storm Zeta forms
Read full article: 2020 ties 2005 as most active season as Tropical Storm Zeta formsโ One of the most active seasons in the tropics (by some metrics) continues as Tropical Storm Zeta became the latest named storm in the Atlantic Basin. As of 8 a.m., itโs just barely at tropical storm status with 40 mph winds and itโs not moving at all. Tropical Storm Zeta satellite and current data (8 a.m. Sunday) (WSLS)The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has now tied 2005 with 27 named storms. 2005โฒs strongest storm, Wilma, was also stronger than this yearโs strongest, Laura. 2005 vs. 2020 in the Atlantic basin (WSLS)There are still 37 days left in hurricane season and 68 in 2020 as a whole, so thereโs a good chance weโll see at least one more named storm to break the record.
Soggy and cool conditions persist through your Sunday
Read full article: Soggy and cool conditions persist through your SundayROANOKE, Va. โ While some of you may have experienced spotty showers during the daytime Saturday, most of us stayed dry. Martinsville is the big winner for rain so far with Lynchburg and Roanoke not far behind. Today's chance of rain (WSLS)The wedge will also keep temperatures down as chilly air coming down from a New England high pressure system gets trapped against our mountains. Today's hourly temperature planner (WSLS)The weather improves through the early stages of the work week, with warmer temperatures and drier conditions. We will have to keep our eye on the tropics for later in the week as whatever is left of Tropical Storm Zeta could combine with a complex storm system.
Tropical Storm Gamma forms; imminent flooding threat in the Yucatan and western Cuba
Read full article: Tropical Storm Gamma forms; imminent flooding threat in the Yucatan and western CubaYUCATAN PENINSULA, Mex. However, thereโs still two months left in hurricane season and we have to stay vigilant as more tropical waves organize and strengthen. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says Tropical Storm Gamma has formed in the western Caribbean. Official Gamma forecast track (WSLS)As the storm slowly moves north and then west, it will dump torrential rainfall on the Yucatan and western Cuba, causing dangerous flash flooding. Tropical headlines (WSLS)Gamma is the 24th named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, and the third on the Greek alphabet list.
Remnants of Beta to bring pockets of heavy rain Friday morning
Read full article: Remnants of Beta to bring pockets of heavy rain Friday morningROANOKE, Va. โ Clouds continue to increase after a stretch of beautiful, fall weather. Hourly temperature planner for Thursday, 9/24/2020While you may see a few sprinkles Thursday, most of the rain holds off until the evening and nighttime. FutureTracker late Thursday night - early Friday morningAs the remnants of Beta team up with energy to our northwest, the rain will become heavier at times Friday morning. Weโll likely start with pockets of fog Saturday morning with clouds gradually decreasing by the afternoon. The last weekend of summer felt like fall, and the first weekend of fall will have hints of summer.
Warmer weather Wednesday precedes remnant rain from Beta
Read full article: Warmer weather Wednesday precedes remnant rain from BetaWhile it will feel like it in the morning, temperatures climb into the mid to upper 70s by the afternoon. Tracking wildfire smoke by Wednesday, 9/23/2020Come Thursday, weโll see more clouds than anything as the remnants of Beta inch closer toward us. Most of the rain from Beta evaporates before reaching the surface Thursday, but that will change at night. FutureTracker late Thursday night - early Friday morningForecast models differ on how far north the heaviest rain will make it. As rain continues through at least the first half of Friday, itโs likely that we see an inch or less of rain from Beta.
Get Him to the Greek! Alpha, Beta both form
Read full article: Get Him to the Greek! Alpha, Beta both formROANOKE, Va. โ 5 p.m. UpdateTropical Depression 22 is now Tropical Storm Beta in the Gulf of Mexico. Beta will likely form Friday as well in the Gulf of Mexico. Friday Morning UpdateJust a day after Sallyโs remnants dumped rain on our region, the Atlantic hurricane season strikes again. Tropical Storm Wilfred forms in the open AtlanticThis is the last name on the list for the 2020 season. 2020 hurricane namesItโs remarkable to run out of names, but itโs especially remarkable considering hurricane season doesnโt end until November 30th.
Tropical Storm Paulette forms over open waters; earliest P storm on record
Read full article: Tropical Storm Paulette forms over open waters; earliest P storm on recordROANOKE, Va. The official peak of Atlantic hurricane season isnt until September 10th, but the tropics dont care about normal this year. Tropical Storm Paulette formed over open waters Monday morning, and is thankfully not a threat to the U.S. within the next week. This is the earliest P storm on record, and it beats the old record by 10 days. Both TD 17 (in central tropical Atlantic) & 18 are forecast to get named later today. The only names left to the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season are Sally, Teddy, Wilfred and Vicky.
Low drama weather continues as high pressure keeps its grip on our area
Read full article: Low drama weather continues as high pressure keeps its grip on our areaA large area of high pressure is what we should thank for the wonderful weather. High vs. Low pressure (WSLS)After a cool start to the day, look for temperatures to warm to the low to mid 80s by afternoon. Well continue to see abundant sunshine and low humidity for this middle day of Labor Day weekend. Future Tracker Sunday 4 p.m. (WSLS)The weather looks pleasant for the Labor Day holiday as well. Three day humidity tracker (WSLS)While our local weather is quiet, the tropical Atlantic is quite active.
Laura losing tropical characteristics, gives us rain & storms Saturday
Read full article: Laura losing tropical characteristics, gives us rain & storms SaturdayLaura is moving NNE at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. 8:00 p.m. Thursday UpdateTropical Storm Laura continues to produce flooding rainfall over portions of Arkansas. Laura is moving NNE at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. 5:00 p.m. Thursday UpdateLaura has weakened to tropical storm strength with sustained winds of 50 mph, gusting upwards of 65 mph. 11:00 p.m. Wednesday UpdateโExtremely dangerousโ Hurricane Laura is closing in on the northwest Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Short heat wave continues prior to local impacts from Laura
Read full article: Short heat wave continues prior to local impacts from LauraROANOKE, Va. โ Hurricane Laura is in the process of rapid intensification, as it moves through very warm Gulf waters. Tropical tracker for the next few days - LauraFor us, this will mean rain and storms Saturday. Isolated higher totals cannot be ruled out, especially if we get a southeast wind around Laura to move up our mountains. Laura weakens but brings rain and storms to us SaturdayThe main thing weโll watch out for is localized flooding. It will be breezy at times, but weโll notice humidity levels tumble behind the storm.
Whats News Today: COVID-funding, preparing for storms
Read full article: Whats News Today: COVID-funding, preparing for stormsBusiness and defense community members will join him to talk about the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program. Donations will be collected today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sams Club on Wards Road in Lynchburg. The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors will meet today to discuss schools. The Roanoke County Police Department holds a Diversity in Law Enforcement recruiting event tonight. The event begins tonight at 6 p.m. at the Roanoke County Criminal Justice Academy on Barnes Avenue.
The western mountains will be the favored zone for storms through Monday
Read full article: The western mountains will be the favored zone for storms through MondayDepending on which zone you live in, your Sunday could be very pleasant or somewhat active. More clouds are expected during the afternoon and evening and there could be some storms that develop. The favored zone for storms will be the western mountains, weโre pegging those chances at 40 percent. Today and tonight's flood risk (WSLS)We expect a similar set-up for storms on Monday, with the highest chances coming in the western mountains. Both of those storms have the potential to strengthen into hurricanes and make landfall somewhere along the Gulf Coast.
Tropical Storm Josephine forms; earliest J storm on record
Read full article: Tropical Storm Josephine forms; earliest J storm on recordROANOKE, Va. The National Hurricane Center, as of their 11 a.m. update Thursday, says that we now have the seasons 10th named storm. A tweet by Colorado States Philip Klotzbach from Wednesday indicates that this is the earliest J storm on record in the Atlantic hurricane season. Tropical Depression 11 has formed in central tropical Atlantic and forecast to intensify into a tropical storm in the next couple of days. Current record for earliest Atlantic 'J' storm is Jose on Aug 22, 2005. #hurricane pic.twitter.com/fMOLFEmWJM Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) August 11, 2020The storm likely wont get a lot stronger or go a lot farther than the Caribbean Islands.
NOAA joins Colorado State University by upping its 2020 hurricane forecast
Read full article: NOAA joins Colorado State University by upping its 2020 hurricane forecastROANOKE, Va. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an update to its forecast for the rest of the Atlantic hurricane season. Similar to Wednesdays forecast from Colorado State University , NOAA is forecast an extremely active season ahead. The warmer the water is, the more conducive it becomes for tropical systems to grow and intensify. Wind shear refers to the difference in wind speed and direction from the ground up. If we make it beyond 21 named storms, storms will take on Greek letters as their names.
Updated CSU hurricane forecast means we could run out of names
Read full article: Updated CSU hurricane forecast means we could run out of namesROANOKE, Va. Just a day after Isaas wreaked havoc up the East Coast, experts at Colorado State University released an update to their forecast for the 2020 Atlantic tropical season. The forecast now calls for an extremely active Atlantic season. Weve yet to reach the historic peak of the season, which falls between August 20th and October 10th. Frequency of tropical systems in the AtlanticWith CSUs updated forecast, we would run out of names. The current practice is to start using Greek letters once we run out of names.
NEW THIS MORNING: Tropical Storm Isaas continues its track towards the east coast
Read full article: NEW THIS MORNING: Tropical Storm Isaas continues its track towards the east coastROANOKE, Va. 11 A.M. UPDATE:Tropical Storm Isaas is currently located near the Dominican Republic and is quickly moving northwest at 20 mph. Strong winds, storm surge and heavy rainfall will affect portions of the east coast beginning this weekend through the start of next week. Its taken quite some time, but Tropical Storm Isaas formed Wednesday night south of Puerto Rico. #hurricane pic.twitter.com/ehFewqzUyh Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) July 30, 2020This has been a challenging storm to forecast, and it still is in some sense. Two possible scenarios with Tropical Storm IsaasWell be sure to keep you posted on air , online and on Your Local Weather Authority app .
Double trouble in the tropics; no trouble at home just yet
Read full article: Double trouble in the tropics; no trouble at home just yetWhile some are quick to compare this to the historic 2005 hurricane season, its important to note that (so far) storms this season havent been as strong. Weve yet to reach the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, though. Hanna is a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico that will make landfall this weekend south of Houston, Texas. If we get to the W storm (Wilfred) and more storms form after that, they will be assigned Greek letters . Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs until November 30.
Not done yet! Heat builds into the weekend, early next week
Read full article: Not done yet! Heat builds into the weekend, early next weekRoanoke has officially broken the record for longest heat wave as we hit a high in the 90s for the 23rd day straight. High pressure inches closer for the weekend, leaving storm chances limited and heat in extra supply. What We're Tracking later this weekend into early next weekStorm chances wont increase until the middle of next week. Meanwhile, we have a duo of tropical storms well offshore. Two storms in the tropicsBehind that, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring another tropical wave off the west coast of Africa.
Tropical Storm Fay forms off the coast of North Carolina
Read full article: Tropical Storm Fay forms off the coast of North CarolinaROANOKE, Va. According to the National Hurricane Center, tropical storm Fay formed about 40 miles off the coast of North Carolina around 5 p.m. ET on Thursday. This makes Fay the earliest F storm to form in history. TropicsFay will continue to track north over the coming days and will likely remain a tropical storm through Saturday morning. This brings the threat for flash flooding and rip currents along the coast over the coming days.