First Alert Weather Day: Ophelia brings heavy rain, strong gusty winds
The storm will track through Virginia late Friday and Saturday
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Tropical Storm Ophelia will make landfall early Saturday morning in North Carolina and is a strong tropical storm with maximum sustained winds up to 70mph. It will track across Virginia on Saturday.
Heavy rain, strong gusty winds, and tidal flooding are expected out ahead of the storm’s center.
A Flood Watch has been expanded as far west as Louisa and includes the Tri-Cities and Richmond. 2-4 inches of rain could cause flooding. Heavy rain will persist off and on tonight and throughout Saturday.
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A significant storm surge could bring moderate or major coastal flooding on the western side of the Bay, Friday night and Saturday.
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Timing: Friday evening through Saturday.
Tonight: Moderate to heavy rain likely, northeasterly winds 20-25 mph, with gusts to 45 mph possible inland, 50+ mph closer to the bay. This could produce isolated power outages.
Saturday: Rain likely, heavy at times through early afternoon, becoming scattered into the evening. North winds 20-30 mph, with gusts to 45 mph possible. This could produce power outages. Peak wind gusts in the morning and early afternoon.
NOTE: We’ll keep an eye on potential spin-up tornadoes on the right side of the storm track. This MIGHT happen along and east of the I-95 corridor Friday night and Saturday. We will be watching closely.
Rain totals of 2-4″ expected for RVA, with 3-6″ along the Chesapeake Bay. Localized flooding (from rain) possible inland, with coastal flooding likely along the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Flooding could reach “major” levels.
Waves could be 5-8′ in the bay, adding impact to high tides late tonight and Saturday morning.
Sunday: A few early lingering showers are possible. Most of the day will be dry, breezy and mostly cloudy. Westerly winds 5-15 mph with 25 mph gusts.
Here’s the latest hour-by-hour forecast: tracking the rain across Virginia starting 5-9 p.m. Friday, lasting through the day Saturday.
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For updates on this weekend’s heavy rain potential, download the NBC12 First Alert Weather app. You can find the app in the Apple Store and on Google Play.
The NBC12 First Alert weather app features updated video forecasts throughout the day, an hour-by-hour forecast, severe weather alerts and much more.
Watch the 24/7 First Alert Weather Stream
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