Team Norfolk Inclement Weather 7-28-17

Team Norfolk,

Please see the following as provided by the National Weather Service in Wakefield:

"Low pressure slowly tracking across the Mid-Atlantic region will result in periods of moderate to heavy rainfall this afternoon through Saturday morning. Low pressure slides offshore Saturday afternoon, with lingering showers expected generally east of Interstate 95 through Saturday night. A flash flood watch has been issued for this afternoon through Saturday morning for areas north and east of Richmond. Total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected on average across the watch area, with locally higher amounts possible. For more information, please refer to the attached slides or our Rainfall Briefing Page (link: www.weather.gov/akq/rainandsnow).

In addition, the slight risk for severe weather has been downgraded to a marginal risk for the entire Wakefield forecast area. A few late afternoon and evening thunderstorms may become strong to severe, with locally damaging winds and frequent lightning the main threats. To keep up with the latest severe weather outlooks, check out our Severe Weather Briefing Page (link: www.weather.gov/akq/SevereThunderstorms). 

Low pressure slides offshore Saturday, with increasing north to northeast winds late Saturday through Sunday. Gusts of 25-30 mph are expected along the coast. North to northeast flow will also result in above normal tidal departures. Minor flooding is possible along the coast and in the lower Chesapeake Bay."

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 As it pertains more specifically to Norfolk, rain is very much likely today and throughout the weekend; however, our area is not in the flash flood watch nor are the rain amounts during the projected times such to overwhelm our storm water infrastructure.  Incidentally, per the attached Tides chart, the tides begin to stack tomorrow (Saturday) resulting in a chance for tidal flooding during the Sunday afternoon high tide (3:41pm) which combined with the rainfall will result in flooding in the usual areas.  Remember, to tides take a little while to come in and recede, so flooding is expected leading up to the high tide and sometime thereafter.  For a graphic of what the tidal inundation might look like given the current forecast (but not including the impact of rainfall), visit  Norfolk’s TITAN program at http://gisapp1.norfolk.gov/TITAN (for the appropriate conversion, use 1-1.5’ less in the flood layer than what is displayed in the tide chart.  With a forecast of 4.5, select 3.5 or 3’ in the TITAN flood layer). 

As with all things weather, it is subject to change.  We’ll certainly continue to monitor and update you of any changes.

Thanks!

Jim
Director, Norfolk EOC