RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – While we remain in the same stagnant “omega blocking” upper-level pattern, more rounds of strong to severe storms are possible each day this week in our region. Although there is not a slight risk area for Monday afternoon and evening in Virginia, any storms that do develop this afternoon and evening will be capable of wind damage.
Any time we get little disturbances at the upper-levels to our northwest (around the Great Lakes States), that triggers storms that can survive (likethe derecho from Friday) all the way to Virginia’s coast. Although an event like Friday is not regular in Virginia, it is not unheard of, especially in these conditions. There is a huge heat ridge still in place over much of the central and eastern U.S. leading to dangerous, record heat and humidity. In addition, the jet stream dips in two places: one over the Pacific Northwest, and then ours from the Great Lakes through New England. Any upper disturbances follow that jet like a road map straight for the Mid-Atlantic.
Unfortunately, we’ll remain in this hot and humid pattern without any break-down in that omega block for the rest of the work-week. That means each afternoon and evening (and potentially overnight if storms from our northwest survive over the mountains) will feature a chance for scattered strong to severe thunderstorms. Any of these storms can produce damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning, some hail, and downpours.
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Meteorologist Carrie Rose
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