Things have been relatively quiet in the tropics lately, but now the National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on two areas of interest.  One in the south Atlantic only has a low chance for development in the next 48 hours, but the other to the north was just named Tropical Storm Grace.  It looks pretty healthy on satellite and is expected to move toward the British Isles.

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

Yesterday was the 70th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz.”  Special screenings of the movie in high definition were shown and sold out across the country.  How appropriate that we had a rainbow yesterday!  With all the moisture in the atmosphere, showers and some sunshine there was a rainbow. 

Rainbow in the Deep Creek section of Chesapeake (from Cindy)

We could see more rainbows later today.  With all the moisture in place, some sunshine and the risk for showers and thunderstorms, you never know.  Carry your umbrella today in case you get under one of those shower or storms.  Otherwise it will be warm and humid!

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

“Tropical” moisture created problems with areas of dense fog this morning (mainly inland).  Visibility was down to near zero across parts of our western VA and NC counties.  The fog was so thick in parts of North Carolina that Hertford County County schools had a one-hour delay this morning.   Dense fog could be a problem tomorrow morning as well.  Remember to allow plenty of extra time, use your low beams and slow down when driving in foggy conditions.

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

Typically the peak of hurricane season is during mid-September.  However, after “Fred” fizzled out over the weekend, we are left without any named storms in the Atlantic Basin (which is completely fine with me).  Activity typically starts to wind down late September through October, but don’t let your guard down yet.  If we get another named storm, the next one on the list is “Grace.”

The National Hurricane Center currently has the remnants of Fred highlighted but does not expect re-generation into a tropical system.

Atlantic Basin Satellite Image

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

Labor Day was a washout…

The first day of school for many students was a washout…

A rainfall record was set for today at Norfolk Int’l Airport: 3.51″.  The two day rainfall total for Norfolk Int’l Airport is 5.67″ and still climbing.

Will the sun return soon?  Probably not for a couple more days.  A pesky area of low pressure off the North Carolina coast will hover for the next couple of days.  While the heaviest axis of rain should shift to our northwest, we’ll still have to contend with some drizzle and showers from time to time.  Additionally a strong pressure gradient between an area of high pressure well to the north and low pressure off the coast will create strong winds.  Gale warnings are posted for the seas and the bay by late Wednesday.  A coastal flood advisory is posted for minor tidal flooding for Wednesday and Thursday.  Tides will run 1-1.5 ft above normal tonight (next high tide 10:30 PM-12:30 AM) and 1-2 ft above normal Wednesday and Thursday.  Please move your car if you park in a low-lying flood prone area.  With the clouds, drizzle and persistent onshore flow, temperatures will remain on the cool side in the 70s.  This pattern should start to break just in time for the weekend.  Fingers crossed! 

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

Danny has formed in the Atlantic.  Slow strengthening is expected over the next few days and Danny *could* impact Hampton Roads and North Carolina this weekend.  A lot of uncertainty remains regarding the strength and intensity.  A few hundred miles east or west will make a big difference!  Stay tuned.

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

Watching the Tropics

Hurricane Bill is long gone, but the tropics aren’t completely quiet.  The National Hurricane Center is watching two areas.  The area circled in orange just northeast of the Leeward Islands is the most interesting feature this evening.  This area shows a tropical wave interacting with an upper-level low moving toward the northwest.  The computer models have conflicting ideas regarding what to do with this area of unsettled weather.  We’ll keep an eye on it as the moisture could impact our weekend weather here in Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina. 

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

Hurricane Bill, soon to become an extra-tropical storm, continues to race off to the northeast at over 30 mph.  After lashing Nova Scotia with wind and rain, Bill will move over Newfoundland overnight and then cross the Atlantic.  By the end of the week, Bill’s remnants will be a pretty big storm for the British Isles. 

Bill's Forecast Track

Aside from Bill, the National Hurricane Center is watching a tropical wave east of the Lesser Antilles.  Otherwise, the tropics are pretty quiet. 

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

Hurricane Bill continues to gain strength in the Atlantic.  As long as our ridge of high pressure breaks down and a deep trough of low pressure swings over the East Coast by the weekend, we should be in the clear.  Any delay could cause Bill’s track to shift slightly westward toward Cape Cod, MA.  However, for now, it just looks like big waves and a high threat for rip currents at the beaches this weekend.  Stay safe!  We’ll keep you posted.

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson