The National Weather Service in Wakefield is forecasting a rainy and gusty Friday as Hurricane Helene largely avoids the eastern half of Virginia.
Though the storm is expected to move west toward Appalachia, meteorologist Allison Mitchell said effects can be expected beyond its path. Hampton Roads cities will likely receive 1 inch of rain Friday, and cities closer to Richmond will receive about 2 inches. Saturday will remain largely dry, but Mitchell said the chance of rain will return Sunday.
The timing of peak wind speed is from early Friday morning into early afternoon. For coastal Virginia and other parts of the lower Chesapeake Bay, gusts will be about 25 mph, but winds reaching 40 mph are possible.
TRACKING MAP: Where and when will Hurricane Helene hit Florida?
“The primary threats with this would be a few brief tornadoes and damaging wind gusts, and then we’re clear for severe weather on Saturday,” Mitchell said.
Areas on the Peninsula have a “marginal” risk, or the lowest of five levels. Tornado risk is higher for South Hampton Roads. Wakefield meteorologists increased the risk to a Level Two, or “slight risk.”