I have seen some crazy weather in my 21 years since I’ve been here. I’ve seen hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and blizzards. I’ve seen some big temperature drops within 24 hours. My first Christmas here I was in shorts, but then a foot of snow fell in Smithfield the next day (2004). However, I can’t remember a temperature drop of about 35-40 degrees within the same day. One viewer mentioned it happened in March of 2005. I couldn’t remember. Either way…Let’s talk about it.
Over the last 2 days we have broken records. In fact, yesterday we smashed the old record of 82 degrees. We hit 88 at Norfolk International Airport during the late afternoon.
It was warm/hot and humid, but the breeze really helped. The heat continued into this morning (as expected). Temps were around 70 degrees with much colder air near the Virginia/West Virginia border.
A powerful cold front was near the border, and it was accelerating towards our area.
The front will move through our area between 9 and 11am. Temperatures will drop to the 40s and 50s between then and midday.
We’ll have a cold rain developing over the region. There may be some isolated thunderstorms before the front arrives, but then it will just be rain showers. Winds will pick up out of the north by midday.
Between noon and 3pm temps will fall some more, and the winds will increase some more. Temperatures will drop to near 40 degrees in the metro.
Strong wind gusts between 35 and 40mph will pull down some much colder air. It will be even colder in the upper levels. So a wintry mix will be possible north of the metro. I still think the snow is overdone on our model, but I do expect a wintry mix of rain, sleet, and snow in the area. Here is the HRRR version of this afternoon. It has mainly a mix and not much snow.
Either way temps will fall to the 30s between the late afternoon and evening. Winds will decrease a bit. A wintry mix will move through the metro area, but it will become more scattered. Here is what Future Trak shows for this evening at 5pm.
Some much drier air will drop into the region during the evening. So we’ll quickly dry out between 6 and 8pm. Winds will fall to 10-20mph. Keep in mind that wind chills will be in the 30s and potentially in the 20s by the end of the day.
That is why you need to take the coat with you as you head out the door. Hats, gloves, and scarves as well. It will be a world of difference from yesterday.
Most of the wintry mix will melt. However, if the precipitation gets heavy for a time, then it may try and stick to some grassy spots or decks. There is a little more chance for that to happen north of the metro area.
The ground is very warm now. Plus, it will fall on a wet ground. Even if it does stick briefly, it will melt within an hour or two of falling. Surface temps will be above freezing probably until after midnight. Having said that. Low temps will be in the low-mid 30s tonight.
Be sure to bring in your potted plants as soon as possible. Also, re-winterize your home. I put some sheets back down in my garage along the door where there is an air-gap…