Potential Severe Weather - 4/20/2015

Good morning RVA –
 
Today will give the city a potential round of severe weather. Below is a brief on the storm system as well as the risk map from the Storm Prediction Center. We're located in the ‘enhanced’ risk (orange) category, and if you're wondering that entails, also below is the risk category chart that delineates out the levels of severe weather forecasted by SPC.

Advisories/Watches/Warnings: None currently. A severe thunderstorm or tornado watch may be issued at some point this afternoon.

Hazard: Potential for numerous severe storms capable of producing large hail and damaging winds; isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. This storm system produced 4 tornadoes, 237 high wind reports and 139 hail reports yesterday – 4/19 throughout the southeast states.

Temperature: 

o   High: 83

o   Low: 56

Timing: Expect storms between 4pm-9pm

City impact: With this storm system having a history of damaging winds and hail, and expected to impact our area today, the main concerns will be downed trees, power outages and evening rush hour traffic issues. Stay tuned to our social media accounts and for further updates, as needed, later on today. Feel free to share this blog post amongst your friends, family and neighbors.

It's important to remember that severe weather can strike at any time. Are you prepared? Visit http://www.ready.gov/severe-weather for important preparedness tips!

Winter Weather Brief #2 - 2/25 PM

Good afternoon RVAers. We just wanted to share a quick update to build upon our morning brief.

A Winter Storm Warning (upgraded from a watch earlier) has been issued for the city; the timeframe of the warning is the same as the watch (7pm tonight until 1pm tomorrow). The watch was upgraded to a warning due to an increase in the forecasted snowfall totals here in the city as the storm has shifted its track to the northwest. Our partner at NWS Wakefield has noted that this northwest trend may continue (which could allow us to see increased snow totals). As of now, we are slated to receive 3-6 inches of snow. 

Snow is expected to move into Central Virginia between 8pm and 10 pm, and spread east-northeastward throughout the night.

Winter Weather Brief #1 - 2/25 AM

Good morning RVA!
 
Here is your OEM Weather Brief #1 for the impending snow tonight into Thursday. In addition, the current forecasted total snowfall map and timeline of expected temperatures/snow is located at the end of the brief.

Once the snow begins to fall overnight, the City’s Snow Plowing Status Map will go live and you can access it here: https://richssl.ci.richmond.va.us/applications/GIS/snowmap/   

Advisories/Watches/Warnings:

 

• A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from 7pm tonight until 1pm tomorrow.

Hazard: Snow; currently 3-4 inches is forecasted.

Wind Speed: Winds will remain steady and minimal (under 10ph) through the duration of the storm.

Temperatures:

• Wednesday Night
• Low: 26
• Thursday
• High: 34
• Low: 18

Timing: Snow is forecasted to begin around 10pm tonight and will begin to exit the area during the early to mid-morning hours of Thursday.

City impact: With the snow falling overnight into the mid-morning hours, there will be high potential for any morning commute issues around and coming into the city – especially on secondary streets. Please take this into consideration for any travel you may need to take tomorrow morning. You can help us keep RVAers safe by checking in on neighbors, especially seniors and those with access and functional needs.

 

 

Winter Weather Brief #3 - 2/16 AM

Good morning – here is Winter Weather Brief #3 for the city.
 
Below is a summary of the impending winter storm in addition to the current forecasted total snowfall map and hourly weather graph, respectively.

 

Advisories/Watches/Warnings:

·         Winter Storm Warning: effective 2/16 – 4pm until 2/17 – 12pm

 

Hazards: Snow; forecasted amounts have risen to 8-10 inches. Isolated spots that see a heavier band or two of snow throughout the city may see more.

 

Temperatures:

·         Monday

o   High: 21

o   Low: 18

·         Tuesday

o   High: 29

o   Low: 19

 

Timing: Precipitation is still on track to begin in the late afternoon hours today – 2/16 and come to an end around the mid-to-late morning hours on 2/17.

City impacts: With the snow falling in the evening/overnight into the mid-morning hours, there will be high potential for traffic/travel issues to include any morning commute around and coming into the city. Please take this into consideration for any travel that you may have to make in the city. The power outage number (from the high wind event) has decreased to currently 789 for the city, and Dominion Power’s expectation is that all customers will be restored by the end of today – 2/16. New power outages are possible with the heavy snowfall and consistent below-freezing temperatures. Additionally, high temperatures for each day are not forecasted to reach above freezing until at least Saturday – 2/21 at this point.

 

 

Winter Weather Brief #2 - 2/15 PM

Good evening – here is Winter Weather Brief #2. 

Below is a summary of the impending winter storm in addition to the current forecasted total snowfall map and hourly weather graph, respectively. 

Advisories/Watches/Warnings:

·         Winter Storm Watch: effective 2/16 – 4pm until 2/17 – 12pm

o   We expect this to be upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning as we move into tomorrow

Hazards: Snow; forecasted amounts have risen to 6-8 inches. Isolated spots may see more than this amount.

Temperatures:

·         Monday

o   High: 21

o   Low: 19

·         Tuesday

o   High: 28

o   Low: 21

Timing: Precipitation is still on track to begin in the early evening hours tomorrow – 2/16 and come to an end around 12pm on 2/17. There will be the potential for additional snow showers during the evening of 2/17 as well.

City impacts: With the snow falling in the evening/overnight into the mid-morning hours, there will be high potential for any morning commute issues around and coming into the city. Please take this into consideration if you have to make any travel. The power outage number has decreased to 2,594 currently for the city, and Dominion Power’s expectation remains that some customers will have outages beyond today; this next round of winter weather could increase that outage number.

Winter Weather Brief #1 - 2/15 AM

Below is a quick summary of the excepted winter storm to impact the City of Richmond.

 Advisories/Watches/Warnings:

• Wind Chill Advisory expired at 10am today
• Wind Advisory is set to expire at 4pm today
• There will be the potential for a Winter Weather Advisory or Winter Storm Watch to be issued for the city

Hazards: Snow; currently 2-3 inches is forecasted. However, morning models are hinting towards an increase in that number – especially with the high confidence of below-freezing temperatures through the duration of the storm.

Temperatures:

Monday
o   High: 23; Low: 20

Tuesday
o   High: 30; Low: 21

Timing: Snow is forecasted to begin around 5pm tomorrow – 2/16 and come to an end around 12pm on 2/17. There will be the potential for additional snow showers during the evening of 2/17 as well.

City impacts: With the snow falling overnight into the mid-morning hours, there will be high potential for any morning commute issues around and coming into the city. The power outage number (from the high winds last night) is currently at 3,793 for the city, and Dominion Power’s expectation is that some customers will have outages beyond today; this next round of winter weather could increase that outage number. Additionally, high temperatures for each day are not forecasted to reach above freezing until at least Friday.

 

 

Winter Preparedness Week 2014

Winter officially begins on December 21st, but with the recent drop in temperatures it is a good reminder to all that it is time to think about colder weather.  Preparing for all seasons make sense, by having food, water, and first aid at minimum for a complete list visit ready.gov. Consider checking your emergency supply kit seasonally to ensure no food and water is getting ready to expire. Check that all electronics and batteries, even the backups, are working.

Additional Items to Consider for Winter Weather

•  Rock salt or other ice melt products
• Warm clothes
•  Extra blankets
• Sand for traction on ice
• Snow shovels
•  Heating fuel, store a supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood stove

It is important to understand the dangers of driving during winter storms. Many deaths and injuries are a result of traffic accidents.

Most importantly keep yourself safe during winter weather. Do not to overwork yourself when shoveling snow, as this can result in a heart attack. Also be aware of the signs of symptoms of hypothermia which can be a result of spending too much time in the cold. Visit the CDC's Winter Weather FAQ's for the signs and symptoms of Hypothermia as well as other cold-related illnesses.