All eyes are on the tropics….Buckle up! We’re getting ready for quite a ride this weekend into early next week, largely due to the potential impacts from Hurricane Joaquin. We’ll get to that in a moment.
Until then, our weather will remain unsettled as a cold front stalls across the area into Thursday and Friday. Areas of low pressure will travel along the front, giving way to a good chance of scattered rain. Some of the rain could be heavy at times. An isolated thunderstorm is also possible. The winds will increase a bit, too, from the northeast on both days, which could cause some minor tidal flooding around high tide. High temperatures will be in the lower 70s.
By the weekend, our weather will continue to feature a lot of rain and wind, due in part to the stalled front along the coast. However, we’re also going to keep a close eye on the track of Joaquin. Based on some of the forecast models, the storm could bring hurricane conditions to our area, again, all depending on the track. If the storm travels a bit more to the east in the Cone of Uncertainty, we’ll likely see some bands of rain, tidal flooding and high surf. If the storm’s track moves closer to our coast, conditions could be worse – with flooding from heavy rain and tidal flooding as well as high surf. Regardless, conditions this weekend (and possibly early next week) do not look great. Stay with NewsChannel 3 for further VIPIReady updates!
Tonight: Mostly Cloudy. Scattered Showers (70%). Isolated Thunderstorm possible. Low temperatures in the upper 60s. Winds: N 5-15 mph.
Thursday: Mostly Cloudy. Showers Likely (70%). Breezy. High temperatures in the lower 70s. Winds: NE 15-20 mph.
Friday: Mostly Cloudy. Showers Likely (80%). Breezy. High temperatures in the low to mid 70s. Winds: NE 15-20 mph.
Tropical Update
11:00 PM EDT Wed Sep 30
Location: 23.8°N 73.1°W
Moving: SW at 6 mph
Min pressure: 951 mb
Max sustained: 115 mph
Hurricane Joaquin continues to strengthen near the Bahamas. A hurricane warning is in effect for portions of the Bahamas. Sustained winds are near 115 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center. Joaquin is centered about 90 miles E of San Salvador and moving slowly SW at 6 mph. This storm will continue drifting slowly southwest for the next couple of days before making a sharp northerly turn Friday. Joaquin could strengthen to a major category 4 hurricane by Thursday. Joaquin will impact the Mid-Atlantic this weekend.
Weather & Health for Thursday
Pollen: Low (Ragweed, Grasses)
UV Index: 2 (Low)
Air Quality: Good (Code Green)
Mosquitoes: Very High
Today in Weather History (NWS Wakefield)
1924 Hurricane; 76 mph winds Norfolk, inland flooding
1959 Tornado: Fluvanna Co
2004 F0 Tornado: Dorchester Co
Dominic Brown
Meteorologist
WTKR-TV NewsChannel 3
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