Rain and storm chances return Sunday; Isolated flash flooding is possible

• Slow-moving storms could bring heavy rain and isolated flooding on Sunday
• Taste of Autumn arrives later next week
• I have now become a major hurricane. Keep a close eye on its path

Active alerts

A flood watch remains in effect until 2 a.m. Sunday.

The rest of the night

The chance of scattered rain will continue until early Sunday morning. The risk of additional flash flooding is very low. Expect lows in the 60s. Patchy fog is also possible.

Sunday

The stationary front will continue until Sunday. This will keep several isolated showers and storms in the forecast. If you’re heading to any of our outdoor events in many cities, you’ll need to bring your own rain gear.

Any rain we receive will be much needed thanks to recent periods of dry weather. Keep in mind that if you hear thunder it means there is lightning. Make sure you have a backup location indoors.

Sunday will be a carbon copy of Saturday with several showers and storms. Temperatures will also be the same. Highs will be in the 70s and 80s in our cities with lows in the 60s.

Fast forward to next week

For now, it looks like fall-like air will be the trend for us next week, with highs remaining in the 70s and lows in the 80s. Overnight lows will remain warm in the 60s. Dew points continue to read in the 60s on Monday and Tuesday, so some will feel sticky outdoors. By Wednesday, more fresh air sets the stage. Rain chances are still possible during the first half of next week, but they should not be as widespread as we will see this weekend.

Drought monitor

The drought watch is updated every Thursday morning. Thanks to a recent dry stretch of weather in Highland County, parts of Amherst, Nelson and Rockbridge counties are listed in moderate drought. For areas with a yellow shade, this means “abnormally dry.”

Tropical regions

Hurricane Lee developed in the Atlantic Ocean earlier in the week. The path will bring it closer to Puerto Rico late this weekend as a major hurricane. There are still many questions about whether the United States will be affected by this system. If that happens, it won’t happen until very late next week. Most models currently show it moving north, away from the East Coast. Impacts are still possible over the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Coast (particularly with dangerous surf and rip currents). For an interactive tracking map and more, visit our Hurricane Center.

Slight Chance for Science Podcast

A new episode of Slight Chance of Science has been released! I listen!

Dr. Tina Dora, assistant professor of natural hazards at Virginia Tech, joins the podcast to discuss one of the largest earthquakes to hit the United States. Meteorologist Payton Major dives into what’s happening below the surface in the Pacific Northwest, where the Cascadia Subduction Zone has been cranking up tension for more than 300 years.

Listen below or click here to subscribe and be the first to hear new episodes from our team of meteorologists.

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