We had some heavy rain move into the region yesterday.  It migrated to the Northern Neck and Richmond area last night, but it will swing back down this way as we go through the day.  There is an upper level disturbance which moved into the area yesterday.  It developed a weak area of low pressure at the surface.  The low drifted north a little bit, but now it is slowly sinking southeast again.

There is also a cool front just north of the low.  It’s not much cooler north of the front, but it is much drier.  We are still in the soupy airmass today.  At least it won’t be as hot today.  We will have lots of clouds, and and increasing chance for rain.  So that will keep the temperatures mostly in the 70s.  There will be a few 80s inland and south. 

As the low moves in, the rain will increase in coverage and intensity.  We’ll have showers already picking up between the mid morning and the afternoon.  There may be some real downpours by the afternoon.

Part of our area is under a Flash Flood Watch.  This area may be extended south or east later today.  The watch goes until this evening.  There have already been some warnings just west of our viewing area.  So far we’ve seen about 1-2″ of rain in Hampton Roads with 3-6″ between the Northern Neck and Richmond.  We could see another 1-2″ of rain today, and it could fall in a short amount of time.  Our surface winds will be light out of the southwest.  Then out of the north later today.

Finally, tonight the low will move offshore.  The rain showers will taper off after this evening. Then we will have a nice stretch of dry weather.  Tomorrow we’ll have partly cloudy skies.  Highs will be near 80 degrees. Dew points will drop from the 60s to the upper 50s. That will feel greeeeaaaat!   We’ll be dry and a little warmer on Tuesday.  Highs will be in the low 80s.  A cool front will swipe down this way from north to south Tuesday night.  It may bring a few quick showers. However, we’ll be cooler and dry Wednesday into Thursday.  Highs will be in the 70s with partly cloudy skies.  We will warm up Friday into next weekend. 

Be safe driving around today as the heavy rain sinks in.  Stay tuned for updates.

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler