A weak cold front is making its way across Hampton Roads today and with it in the morning is a few scattered showers. Nothing all too heavy is expected today. In fact we might see a 1-2 hour break from the rain around the middle of the day.

Still Mild ahead of Front

Highs today should be able to make it to the mid to lower 70s across the area, but once that cold front passes we will see the return of that north wind. Also, along the front this afternoon and evening there might be a few thunderstorms that pop up. They should be anything severe, but periods of heavy rain with some good thunder and lightning is possible. By tonight I expect most of the rain to move out and in fact the clouds should begin to break apart allowing for more sunshine tomorrow.

Tomorrow More sunshine!

I would count on some more sunshine tomorrow, highs will be near 65 degrees though thanks to a north wind at 5-10mph. The atmosphere is not anything last week, its fairly active now…so we should see storms after storm for the next few days. Sunday night and into Monday early morning, there may be a few showers as the warm front lifts additional moisture into the atmosphere.  Monday, its still a tough call. I believe the high should be near 70, but if the warm air can punch further north we might see highs near 80.

Enjoy your Weekend!

Meteorologist Jeff Edmondson

The Latest Running News and Notes by Sportswrap running reporter, Jon “Flex” Leiding

On The Run Again!

We can’t move forward until we check the rear view mirror one time. Translated roughly, it means, “Here’s to the Winners last week!” At the Spartyka 5k, Newport News’ Chris Reoyo took the Overall title in 18:13, while the always strong, Nancy Delaney was the first to the tape for the Ladies with a 20:47.

Over at Mount Trashmore last weekend, I was driving by as runners were at the starting line for the Cerebral Palsy 5k. Congrats to Alexey Popov, who posted the swift winning time of 19:18, while the Women’s champ that day was Lauren Emery who brought her best in 23:58. Big shout out to all of you who hit the road last week for all these cool races.

Keep On Movin!

John Piggott is On The Run!

Gotta give up some “luv” for my Peninsula friends. The Yorktown Victory Run 8 Miler went off fast and furious and when the dust settled, John Piggott, one of our good friends “On the Run”, made Williamsburg proud, by winning in 46:38. The running machine, Renee High, laid waste to the old course record by over thirty seconds, with a scorching 50:04. Well done!

Renee High Keeps on Rocking!

Ready to Go Get Some?

This week, all sorts of events are at your disposal. With the weather now in official Spring mode, race names also get creative. in Washington, D.C. the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler Sunday will be a great time. If the road is calling, Surry beckons with the Virginia Duathlon, offering a 23 mile bike ride, then a 5k run. Good luck to those of you that “Du!”

On The Road and On The Run!

Richmond is "On The Run!"

Closer To Home…

The local races are just as strong, including the Seabee Celebration 5K in Norfolk on Saturday, then off to the Beach for the Colon Cancer 5K, starting at the Princess Anne Sentara Hospital. Just around the corner, the Sportsplex hosts the VB Mustangs 5K trail race. Hope you’re ready!

What’s the Latest?

Deb Buenaga is Executive Director for Preston’s March for Energy. the nonprofit organization that raises money for adaptive bikes for children with special needs. We wore the orange shirts during the Marathon to raise awareness. According to her, they recently hooked up a young lady with a bike and was overjoyed. Pictures, in this case, are definitely worth a thousand words. Thanks to all who contribute and send support.

Catch us next week as we have the camera ready to go for the Spring and the latest race news and maybe someone you know. Thanks for the feedback and keep sharing with your Friends. Maybe, I’ll catch you… “On the Run!”

See You "On The Run!"

Folks are going to have to take the forecast day-by-day for the next few days across the region.  We will have very warm weather to our west and occasional cool pockets coming down from Eastern Canada to mix things up.  A change in the wind will make for a big difference in temperatures.  Take today’s forecast for example.  Look at the forecast for the U.S. high temperatures:

Forecast High TemperaturesThere is a lot of heat just to our west. It looks like the 70s reach all the way up into Canada. That warm air pushing up into Canada is forcing cooler weather down along the east coast. This is going to cool down our cities today with highs in the 60s. Yesterday, this cool air began to move into the region cooling down several cities into the 60s. There was a big split in temperatures from inland to the coast. Yesterday's High Temps

There was a heck of a light show last night in the area with some very flashy thunderstorms blowing in from northern Virginia.  In fact there were a lot of reports of large hail and trees down over northern/western Virginia last night.  As the storms moved southeast they hit some drier air and lost the heating of the day.  They pretty much dried up by the time they got to Hampton. So while folks saw a lot of lightning north of the metro, they didn’t get much rain.  Pam in Gloucester had 1/8 of an inch.  Doris on the Lower Eastern Shore had 3/8 of an inch.  Don in Toano had barely anything.  The Southside and North Carolina were dry. 

Estimated Rain Totals

 These storms were just south of a cool front that eventually moved through Hampton Roads this morning.  When I came in to work the temperatures were near 70, but they dropped back to the lowmid 60s by the mid morning behind the front.  Today winds will be northwest and will produce a few gusts up to 25mph.  It should be a pretty nice day.  One negative besides the strong breeze is the pollen.  It is an 11 out of 12 today which is very high.  They don’t take the pollen count down at the Health Department any more, but typically a day that is high has about 700 to 1000 for a pollen count.  (Again…typically, but not always).  Other than that it will be mild, sunny, and breezy. 

Today's Forecast Map

Tonight will be much cooler than this morning.  Lows will drop to the mid-upper 40s.  The winds will die down and skies will be mostly clear.  Plus, with the dry air in place you can have a big difference in morning lows and afternoon highs.  Tomorrow the winds will be more out of the north/northeast.  So temperatures will manage mid 60s for highs with partly cloudy skies.  The models are still showing an overall dry weekend with only a few scattered showers and storms early on Saturday.  For my sake, I hope that doesn’t change.  I think some folks are ready to lynch the weatherman after the past several weekends of cold or wet weather (1 exception). 

Beyond that I see more warm weather into the middle of next week.  Perhaps even a few 80s returning.  Maybe I’ll play hookie next week.  Hmm any ideas for a good disguise? 

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler

Any folks that were putting in an order for warmer weather yesterday got their wish.  Winds turned out of the south overnight.  This allowed temperatures to warm up even before sunrise.  I had one weather watcher (Donna in Blackwater) mention that she had some light frost at about 4:30am, but then she called me back a half hour later and said that her temperature had gone up.  Temperatures will quickly rise today into the 60s and then 70s.  Winds will be strong out of the southwest with gusts up to 30mph.  Lots of sunshine will also help to boost temperatures. 

Today's Forecast

 A cool front will move through tonight.  As it approaches most of the rain along it will dry up.  So we will only see some spotty showers overnight.  Tomorrow the front will have made it through, but the winds will be out of the northwest.  This downsloping (warming) wind will keep the temperature from falling too much.  Highs will be in the upper 60s to near 70.  Then on Friday we will have the cool air press south a bit more.  Plus the winds will be more out of the north/northeast.  So highs will be more in the mid 60s. 

Tomorrow's Forecast

 We’ll warm back up again on Saturday. 

As far as rain for the weekend, we aren’t expecting much.  There is a chance for showers on Saturday, but the chance for rain is only 30%.  Most of that probably won’t even fall during the daytime.  Then Sunday looks dry and cooler, but not cold.  70s on Saturday, 60s on Sunday.  I’m looking forward to it.  Hope you are too.

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler

A couple of road work projects planned for this weekend could leave you scrambling for alternates while you’re behind the wheel. Here’s a guide to help you out before you leave the house. And a heads up–over the next few weekends, be prepared for more closures as VDOT crews ready the highways for a busy summer travel season.

The Monitor Merrimac I-664 NB and the High Rise Bridge I-64 EB will close this weekend for paving operations. Also to be closed, the Centerville Turnpike Bridge in Chesapeake.

That means I-664 NB lanes at the Monitor Merrimac will shut down at 8 p.m. Friday, March 30th and reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, April 2.

Both lanes of I-64 EB at the High Rise Bridge (heading toward Suffolk) and one WB lane (heading toward Chesapeake) will close at 7 p.m. Friday, March 30th and reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, April 2.

Lanes will be closed at the Centerville Turnpike Bridge from 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Here’s a look at your alternates, which will be marked on highways:

The detour for the I-64 east High Rise Bridge to Hampton/Newport News is as follows:

· Take I-64 west towards the HRBT

The detours for the I-64 east High Rise Bridge to Suffolk and Great Bridge section of Chesapeake are as follows:

· Overheight and heavy load vehicles are recommended to take 17 South to NC 158 West, NC 158 West to NC 32 North, NC 32 North to Suffolk Route 13/58 Bypass, Route 13/58 Bypass to I-64

· From the I-64/264 Interchange at Exit 284, take Exit 284A to I-264 west. Follow I-264 west through the Downtown Tunnel to Bower’s Hill.

· If entering the interstate past the I-64/264 Interchange at Exit 284, take Exit 291A and follow I-464 north to Exit 6A. Follow I-264 west through the Downtown Tunnel to Bower’s Hill.

· From Route 168 continue on I-464 north to Exit 6A. Follow I-264 west through the Downtown Tunnel to Bower’s Hill.

*If you use the Gilmerton Bridge (Military Highway) as an alternate for the High Rise Bridge, the overnight closure that typically begins Sunday evening will push to Monday night so drivers will be able to use it. That means this coming week, the Gilmerton Bridge will close Monday through Thursday 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The detours for I-664 MMMBT north will be as follows:

• From Route 58 east approaching I-664 north (Bowers Hill), motorists must exit onto I-264 east, towards the Downtown Tunnel. Motorists will follow I-264 east to I-64 west, towards the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. The detour will end at I-664, Hampton Coliseum.
• From I-664 North approaching College Drive, crews will place an inside lane closure and reroute traffic back on to I-664 south, towards Bowers Hill. From I-664 south motorists will take I-264 East (towards the Downtown Tunnel); to I-64 West (towards the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel); end of detour at I-664 (Hampton Coliseum)

Here’s another upcoming closure you may need to plan for:

**The Gilmerton Bridge closes normally overnight, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays.

Over the next two months, prepare for the bridge to be closed for the entire weekend.

The Gilmerton Bridge Replacement Project Weekend Closure Plan:

April 13, from 8 p.m. through April 16, at 5 a.m.

April 27, from 8 p.m. through April 30, at 5 a.m.

May 11, from 8 p.m. through May 14, at 5 a.m.

Alternates during the closures of the Gilmerton would be the I-64 High Rise Bridge, the Downtown Tunnel and the I-264 Berkley Bridge are also alternate routes. Maritime traffic should not be impacted.

The Gilmerton Bridge Replacement Project will provide a new lift span bridge over the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and replace the existing double-leaf bascule bridge that was constructed in 1938.

Let’s start with today.   We began the day with cool, clear, and breezy conditions.  Some lows dropped to the upper 30s on the Eastern Shore and a few inland locations.  The breeze helped to mix the air a bit, and stopped the temperatures from crashing into the low/mid 30s everywhere.  That was good for the plants, but the winds chills were chilly for the humans.  Winds chills were in the low 30s in several cities.  High pressure has been building in from the northwest, and will create lots of sunshine through the day. 

Cool/Dry Weather Today

 The winds will taper off this afternoon as the high moves east.  By tonight the winds will lighten to 5-10mph, but they will be out of the southeast.  This will make for a difficult temperature forecast tonight.  Areas in the metro and near the shore will be near 40.  Possibly even mid 40s right at the shore.  Some inland locations will likely drop to the mid 30s and possibly even the low 30s for a brief period.  This is where a light frost could form overnight.  It is very dry though, so the temperature may drop to 32 degrees and no frost may form.  Our computer model is showing the 30s forming overnight in the inland areas.  (Blue on the map below).

Most of us had a wet weekend in the region.  Norfolk International had 0.66″ of rain in the last 2 days, but that didn’t include some of the light showers from this morning. My weather watcher Doris on the Lower Eastern Shore had 2″ of rain.  Greg in Currituck had 1.3″.  Donna in Blackwater (Southern Virginia Beach) 1.5″.  I had one person in Manteo say that they had over 5 inches of rain.  There were a few heavy rainers over the weekend, and they must have caught one or two of them. 

The rain is already over for our area this morning.  In fact we’ve had some nice clearing take place.  We’ll see lots of sunshine today, but the winds will be a developing part of the forecast.  Winds will be out of the north at 15-20mph with gusts up to 35mph.  Especially near the shore.  This will keep the highs in the mid-upper 60s with cool air continuing to funnel in.  Tomorrow we’ll have lots of sunshine again, but there will be a really cool pocket of air that will come out of the northeast states and settle into Hampton Roads. 

Tomorrow's Forecast

 So highs tomorrow are forecast to be in the mid 50s.  Tomorrow night we could see some patchy frost in some inland locations.  That will really be up to the wind though.  If the wind drops to nothing, then patchy frost will develop.  If the winds stay up a bit, then frost will occur more towards the I-95 corridor.  Stay tuned on that.  There are some frost and freeze advisories west of the viewing area.  Things will warm up soon though.  By Wednesday highs will return to the low 70s.  Other than tomorrow the temperatures will be mild for the next 7 days. 

At least the pollen got knocked down over the weekend.  Today the pollen index is at a 7 out of 12 (moderate).  It will be about the same or lower tomorrow. 

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler

Monday AM Drive

We finished the weekend with a lot of fog and occasional showers.  The weather won’t change overnight, but tomorrow is a different story.  The storm that plagued the region throughout the weekend will move slowly offshore by morning.  Clouds, fog and a few light showers may be scattered about for the morning drive.  Visibility could be reduced below a mile at times, so be aware if you’re heading out extra early in the morning.  Temperatures will average in the low to mid 50s.  As the morning goes on, we’ll be watching a significant cold front approaching from the north.  This front will move through rapidly and clear our skies.  The afternoon will offer plenty of sunshine, but with a gusty north wind.  Sustained winds are likely to be in the 15-20 mph range, with occasional gusts over 30 mph.  The highest gusts may approach 40 mph on the Eastern Shore.

A sunny, windy afternoon

The next change will be in the temperature department.  With clear skies and a northerly breeze at night, temperatures will lower into the mid 30s inland (patchy frost is a possibility) and the low 40s along the coast by sunrise Tuesday.  Afternoon highs will come in below average on Tuesday, generally in the mid 50s.  It will be a rather short-lived cool spell, as afternoon temperatures will likely exceed 70 degrees Wednesday and Thursday.  Another shot of “cooler” air arrives on Friday.  It looks like we’ll get a little break from the rain, with our only shower chances coming overnight Wednesday into Thursday, and that shouldn’t amount to much at all.

See you on the air,
Mike Goldberg

I’m glad you found the blog! That fog is very thick in areas this morning. It has been interesting to track. When I started my day it was very foggy downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth, then by 6am the fog cleared out. Then as of 9am the fog returned. From some of our viewers, it sounded like it moved towards Hampton and Newport News for a quick visit.

For the rest of the day this pocket of fog will drift around the Tidewater so at times visibility could be less than 1/4 mile.

Thunderstorms Possible Sunday (Today)

Later today Thunderstorms will be a possibility as the storm system continues a slow push to the east. There is a slight chance that a few storms may be strong again today with hail or gusty winds. We will continue to have showers and thunderstorms tonight as the system eventually fades away, but it will be replaced by a strong north wind on Monday.

Windy Tomorrow

That north wind, as you may have though will bring down those temperatures for the first half of our week. Tomorrow highs should be near 68 degrees. On Tuesday you going to want that spring jacket again, highs will be near 58 degrees. In the evenings we could see lows in the upper 30s as well so especially Tuesday night it would be a good idea to cover those outdoor plants just in case. Otherwise, we should have plenty of sunshine with the next chance for rain coming Thursday.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Meteorologist Jeff Edmondson