2009.07.01
Some risk of severe storms on an otherwise pleasant day
Disturbances moving through the northwest-to-southeast upper air flow and a weak front moving in from the west may trigger a few storms this afternoon, and the Storm Prediction Center has placed much of our region in a slight risk of severe weather. These disturbances provide some colder air aloft and some increased wind flow that could allow some storms to organize, despite less than optimal moisture. Locations east of the Roanoke Valley in the Piedmont will have the better chance of stronger storms, as westerly downslope flow may cut off some of the potential nearer the mountains. Still, something to keep an eye on this afternoon on what will otherwise yet another rather pleasant July day.
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Had a light shower on the way to work this morning, just enough to have to run the wipers a couple times...but that's it. I'm seeing a few more substantial showers moving through, but they are very widely scattered.
Comment by Other John — July 1, 2009 @ 10:04 am
That's remnants of an old storm cluster to our west last night.
Comment by Kevin Myatt — July 1, 2009 @ 10:29 am
Storm Prediction Center has put out a mesoscale discussion ... Roanoke is on the western fringe of the area:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md1395.html
Very locally, lack of moisture (dew points in the 50s) and downsloping westerly winds will be obstacles for storm formation. Can't rule out a storm or two overcoming that locally, but it does appear to the most serious threat is to our northeast, with wind damage as the primary severe threat.
Comment by Kevin Myatt — July 1, 2009 @ 1:36 pm