NBC12 Weather Insider

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN. 1 month away!

Posted By Andrew Freiden 2/22/2017
    Updated: 7/21

Let's get started with the basics.  A Solar Eclipse is when the Moon's shadow passes over the earth.  When this happens in totality (like it will this summer on August 21, 2017) several things happen.

1: Day turns to night  
2: Dawn/Dusk is visible along the entire horizon
3: It's amazing.

I've never seen one but when you witness this, it's been described in superlative terms.  

This is a MUST SEE if you can travel to SC.

Here's what the moon in front of the sun will look like at totality.  This is DANGEROUS to watch with the naked eye and you MUST get special eclipse-viewing glasses to avoid damaging your eyes. 

Local eclipse glasses are now on sale. You can visit: https://solareclipsegirls.com/ to order a pair now and read how three young ladies in our area are learning about business while promoting the upcoming solar eclipse.

This eclipse will completely cross the U.S.  (for the first time since 1918!) but it won't be visible everywhere.  This map shows the path.  The closest viewing for us is in South Carolina, where I plan on being. 

Here's a closer view of the path across the Carolinas.  2:39pm is the time where I'll be (Clemson, SC -- yes.  I already have hotel reservations!)  

In Richmond, about 90% of the sun will be hidden by the moon.  The show won't be that impressive, although it will get darker around 2:45pm.  The effect will be like clouds moving in front of the sun.  Sadly, we won't get the full show.  But with glasses, you'll be able to see a "bite" being taken out of the sun. 

The scientists at NASA have an amazing website full of all the information you need.  Take some time to look around and see if this might be something for you and your family.   You could spend HOURS learning about this celestial show. 

NASA's Eclipse 2017 site

Hoping for clear skies!
-Andrew Freiden

 

FIRST ALERT FORECAST: A Cooler Trend In Our Weather This Week

*Not as Hot and Less humid today
*Wonderful weather day tomorrow
*Heat/Humidity Rebuild Thursday

TODAY: Mostly sunny, COOLER and less humid. High: 87°.

7AM: Mostly Sunny, 72°

NOON: Mostly Sunny, 84°

4PM: Mostly Sunny, 87°

7PM: Mostly Sunny, 84°

WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny and pleasant again. Lows in the mid to upper 60s, highs in the mid 80s.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny, hot and humid. A few pop up thunderstorms are possible later in the afternoon and early evening. Lows in the upper 60s, highs in the low 90s. (Rain Chance: 20%)

FRIDAY: Variable cloudiness with scattered showers and thunderstorms as a cold front arrives. Lows in the low 70s, highs near 90°. (Rain Chance: 50%)

SATURDAY: Partly sunny and pleasant with lower levels of humidity. Lows in the upper 60s, highs in the mid 80s. 

SUNDAY: Partly sunny and continued pleasant. Lows in the mid 60s, highs in the mid 80s. 

MONDAY: Partly sunny. Lows in the mid 60s, highs in the upper 80s.

FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAYS for Heat from Thursday into the Weekend

By: Andrew Freiden 9:16am 7/17/2017

It's early, but it's not too soon to get ready for big heat this week.  We gave First Alert to this LAST week but now it's almost here!  Please make preparations now for another really hot stretch of weather!

First:  A huge ridge of high pressure spreads east...

Here's the temperature foreast ANOMALY (European model) for Thursday.  The reddish/orange area I circled shows temperatures 10° F above average.  

That means upper 90s for us. 

Here's the numerical forecast from the American GFS model.  It's 97 on Thursday and Friday.  And I think it will go higher.

Why? The soil is rapidly drying out.  

Growers and Backyard gardeners are noticing the lack of rain.  In fact, in Richmond.  It's been 10 days since we've had any meaningful rain.   That dry soil can help temperatures go HIGHER than the computer models think.  

Be ready:  it's going to be scorching hot later in the week and the heat will last through the weekend.

 

First Alert Weather Days: Today and Tomorrow for Heat and Humidity!

Get ready for summer like heat and humidity the next few days with the hottest temperatures we have seen all summer long!

Forecast highs will top out in the upper 90's with heat index values in the triple digits: 100°-105°.

The record is 98° set back in 1986, so we are on track to tie that this afternoon.

Heat advisories have been posted for the counties that are shaded in orange from noon-8pm.

No relief for tomorrow either. That's why we have another First Alert Weather Day. Here's the forecast..

Make sure that you stay cool and hydrated! Take plenty of breaks in the shade or stay in the air conditioning if you can. Don't forget to keep your pets cool too and give them plenty of water!

 Posted by: Meteorologist Megan Wise 6:45am 7/12

FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY: Downpours This Afternoon

POSTED by Andrew Freiden 10:25am 7/5/2017

Today's First Alert Weather Day is a little different.  While big thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts are possible, It looks like the main threat we'll face today is HEAVY rain that could lead to localized flooding.  

A few things come together to help fuel today's rain threat.

1) Humidity is anomalously high
2) Stationary front nearby.
3) Low level winds from the East.
4) Weak steering currents.

Showers and storms that form will likely move SLOWLY and could wreak havoc on the afternoon/evening commute.   Please use the NBC12 weather app and watch Jim and Ros on TV this afternoon/evening.

Don't forget:

In fact, there's ALREADY (as of 10:46am) a flood watch up for our Blue Ridge Counties:

Here's the latest model data
@12:00pm

 

@4pm 

@6pm

 

What are those Rainbow Clouds?

Posted By Andrew Freiden 9:24am 7/3/2017

My messages were lit up with pictures and questions about the brilliant "rainbow clouds" that were seen all over the Richmond Area FRIDAY, June 30th. 

Here's a great pic from Brenda Perry, who snapped this from Midlothian.

And check it out when you zoom in:

Brenda wasn't the only one...

Here's Rebecca Hall:

Did you see the sky earlier today? Driving south on Chippenham between Huguenot and Powhite

 

 

Another from Jeff Harding:

What kind of cloud was this? Over scotts addition this afternoon in Richmond.

While these might look like CLOUD IRIDESCENCE, I think we witnessed a small, broken portion of a Circumhorizontal Arc.  The tiny ice or water droplets in this clouds refracted (bent) and separated the sun's light into the visible spectrum, and then sent that light toward our eyes.  It's similar to how traditional rainbows are formed but instead of the sun being low on the horizon behind us, the sun was overhead.   

 

BEAUTIFUL stuff, and thanks for the pictures!

 

More info: https://www.wmocloudatlas.org/circumhorizontal-arc.html

Did you see this around the sun today?

Did you see this today?

This is from Angela Harrison.

And Stephany Blake saw it too! 

It's called a Sun Halo.

We haven't seen this in quite awhile. Last time we saw pictures sent in by some of you was back in early September of last year.

The ice crystals act like millions of tiny prisms floating high in the sky.  They refract (bend and separate) then reflect the light within the prism, producing an amazing sight. 

Posted by: Meteorologist Megan Wise 6/22 4:30pm

FIRST ALERT: Tropical leftovers by Friday?

Posted by Jim Duncan at 8:47pm 6/19/2017, Updated by Andrew Freiden 8:24am 6/20

A tropical system brewing over the central Gulf could have an impact on Virginia's weather by Friday and Saturday.  It's a bit of a stretch for now, but model guidance is showing a landfalling weak (but very wet) tropical system near the north Texas coast, then leftover moisture being drawn to the north up the Mississippi Valley , then northeast. 1

This could bring increasing rain chances and increasing humidity to our area by Friday.  Until then, the humidity won't be too bad. This would NOT be a severe weather maker, but the last thing we need this week is more rain!  

This shows the RPM model forecast for possible landfall Wednesday night:

And this shows the RPM model by late Thursday, with the Gulf-enhanced moisture starting to spread northward:

We'll keep an eye on this for you with updates.  (Note that there is another system, Tropical Storm Bret, near the coast of Venezuela, that is too far south to be a worry).

 

FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY TODAY (6/19/2017)

(Updated 8:10am)

Today's severe weather threat is a higher risk than in recent days.  An Enhanced risk from the SPC is level 3 of 5.  As you can read below, numerous severe storms are possible.

We can't rule out a tornado, but the main concerns are straight line wind damage and the potential for localized flooding.

I think storms are possible 4-10pm with the peak chance in #RVA coming 6-8pm.   Check out the hourly forecast (as of 8:10am)

 

STAY safe today-- I expect several severe thunderstorm warnings!

-Andrew Freiden

Father's Day Forecast and First Alert Weather Day Tomorrow

If you have outdoor plans today, it will be hot and humid! High temperatures will top out in the low 90's with an isolated shower or storm possible in the afternoon and evening.  

Be sure to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade or jump in a swimming pool to cool off!

Our storm chances increase tomorrow ahead of our next system. We have a First Alert Weather Day Tomorrow for strong to severe storms during the late afternoon and evening hours.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of central Virginia in a "slight risk" of severe weather. That's a 2 out of 5 on the severe weather threat scale. A small portion of Westmoreland county in the Northern Neck is included in the "enhanced risk" which is a 3 out of 5 on the severe weather threat scale.

Main concern with these storms will be damaging winds and torrential rain that could produce localized flooding. We will continue to update you with more details on air and on the blog! Keep your NBC12 weather app handy too! 

Posted by: Meteorologist Megan Wise 9:45am 6/17
    Updated: 9:15am 6/18

FIRST ALERT Weather Day for strong storms this Afternoon/Evening

Posted by Meteorologist Jim Duncan at 5:42pm 6/13/2017
    Updated 6/14 5am

Keep an eye to the sky this afternoon and early evening for the potential for some strong thunderstorms. The Storm Prediction Center has placed all of Virginia under a "marginal risk" for severe storms.  That's a 1 out of 5 on the severe weather threat scale.

The main threat will be damaging wind gusts and hail possible.

The latest model runs show the best chance for stronger storms, in the heat of the day, will be from around mid-afternoon through early evening.

Keep your NBC12 First Alert Weather App handy!