AUGUSTA COUNTY – Thunderstorms, damaging wind gusts, large hail, isolated tornadoes, and peak heat indices between 100 to 105 are all possible today in the Shenandoah Valley, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
At 4:52 a.m. NWS issued a hazardous weather outlook for northern and central Virginia, eastern West Virginia, and western Maryland, including the valley.
The alert warns of “hot and humid conditions” expected this afternoon, with highs in the low to mid 90s and peak heat indices between 100 and 105 degrees.
“Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail, and isolated tornadoes are possible this afternoon into the evening,” reads the alert. “There is the potential for considerable wind damage, but confidence is low at this time.”
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The hot and humid conditions are expected to “return over the weekend” through to Tuesday.
The warning comes as the Shenandoah Valley deals with moderate drought conditions. Staunton has asked residents to conserve water, suspended fire hydrant testing, and paused flushing water mains.