With all the heat and humidity around today, numerous scattered showers and thunderstorms developed.  Some storms turned severe and knocked down some trees in parts of Isle of Wight and James City counties.  Hail was also reported across the region.  Some viewers in Gloucester reported seeing a funnel cloud.  A funnel cloud is basically a rotating cloud that protrudes in the shape of a funnel from the base of a thunderstorm cloud.  This happens before a tornado forms (a tornado is a funnel cloud that makes contact with the surface).

This is a photo of what appears to be a funnel cloud.  Thank you to David from near Claybank in Gloucester County for emailing this photo to the Super Doppler 10 Weather Center.

Thankfully we have no reports of this funnel cloud touching down and developing into a tornado.

More scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected tonight.  Some will be slow-moving and will contain locally heavy rain.  Please be careful if you’ll be travelling. 

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson