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First Warning Forecast: Near-record high temps today, but changes are coming

Posted at 5:17 AM, Oct 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-19 12:34:33-04

Near-record high temps today, but changes are coming….There’s more summer-like weather for us over the next couple of days. But by the end of the week, big changes are on the way.

High pressure will remain in control of our weather, giving way to more sunshine and warm temperatures. On Wednesday, we’ll see mostly sunny skies. A few more clouds may try to sneak in from the north late in the day. However, most of us will be dry. Highs will climb into the mid 80s. Norfolk’s record high temperature today is 87 degrees set back in 2007. So we’ll make a run for that record this afternoon. More sunshine is expected on Thursday as high temperatures approach the lower 80s.

Our weather will change by the end of the work week as a cold front approaches from the west. The front will slide in on Friday, giving way to a few scattered showers. Once the front sweeps through, you’ll notice a big difference with our temperatures! Highs will be in the lower 80s on Thursday. Then, our highs will drop into the low and mid 70s on Friday. By the weekend, highs will settle into the mid 60s!

We’re also keeping a close eye on a developing area of low pressure near the Bahamas. Most of our forecast models track this system northward over the next several days. Right now, it is still too early to tell exactly where this system will be headed. However, most of our computer models keep it offshore. Regardless of its track, we will likely see high surf and a high threat of rip currents at all areas beaches in Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina.

This Afternoon: Mostly Sunny and Warm. Highs in the mid 80s. Winds: SW 5-10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly Clear and Mild. Low temperatures in the mid 60s. Winds: S 5-10 mph.

Tomorrow: Patchy AM Fog. Sun and Clouds. Warm. Highs in the lower 80s. Winds: S 5-10 mph.

Weather & Health

Pollen: Low (Ragweed, Grasses)

UV Index: Moderate

Air Quality: Good (Code Green)

Mosquitoes: High

Tropical Update

A non-tropical low pressure system is located about 250 miles northeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands.  Cloudiness and thunderstorms associated with this system are currently located well east of the center due to strong upper-level westerly winds. However, upper-level conditions are forecast to become more conducive for this system to acquire some tropical characteristics, and a subtropical or tropical cyclone is likely to form within the next couple of days.  The low is forecast to move northward today and turn north-northwestward on Thursday, before turning north-northeastward and merging with a cold front over the western Atlantic by the weekend. The NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft that was scheduled to investigate this system this afternoon has been canceled. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall is possible over Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and portions of the northern Leeward Islands today.

Formation chance through 48 hours…medium…60 percent

Formation chance through 5 days…high…80 percent

Hurricane Tracker

 

Today in Weather History (NWS Wakefield)

1749 Hurricane: Raised Chesapeake Bay 15 feet

1997 Flash Flooding: Southeast Virginia

Dominic Brown
First Warning Meteorologist
WTKR-TV News 3
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