RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – A major storm system, which has been affecting the western United States the past couple of days, will move into the central states and midwest over the next 24 hours. This storm will increase the cloud cover for us Thursday and bring rain late in the day.
Rain should move into western Virginia late Thursday afternoon. The rain should track to near the metro and interstate 95 by 7 to 9 p.m. We should see a few hours of moderate rainfall late Thursday evening into the overnight.
A cold front will pass around midnight, and push the rain out of the area by daybreak on Friday. Windy and much cooler weather will arrive during the day Friday.
It looks like most of the area will see at least a quarter-inch of rain with the potential for over a half-inch of rainfall. We really do need the rainfall. The rain total for the month is about 1.5″ below normal, and around 8″ below normal for the year.
While we will be on the warm side of the storm, parts of the Plains and the midwest will see a significant snowfall. Chicago, which has set a record for the longest period without snow, should see at least 3-4″ of accumulation. Northwest of that, over 6″ of snowfall is likely from Iowa into Wisconsin and Michigan. Winds gusts of over 50 mph will be possible in that part of the country, creating blizzard conditions.
