Here is a quick afternoon update to the forecast.  Storms have formed a little ahead of schedule.  The good thing is that I’m hoping they use up some of their energy early, so that they aren’t too bad this evening.  Scattered storms have formed across the area.  We even had a severe thunderstorm warning on the Northern Neck and Middlesex county:

Super Doppler 10 (1:30pm)

The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded our risk for severe weather to moderate.

Updated Severe Weather Risk

While the instability will probably get knocked down a bit with the heavy showers that have already formed.  The upper level winds will remain strong through the evening.  Any storms that still form will be capable of jumping up and pulling down those winds to the surface.  So far we haven’t seen too much lightning.   Any storms that form will be capable of some rotation.  So there is a tornado watch out for the viewing area until 7pm.  8pm for northeast North Carolina.

Folks should probably cancel any ball games or practices this evening as the storms will be moving through very rapidly.  Unless you are watching radar, they will probably move in too fast to safely get to a shelter.  Either way be careful out there.  The wind will push you around on the bridges, and the wind-driven rain may reduce visibility for a brief period through this evening.

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler