Focus on Central Virginia - 7/8/25

Weather Headlines for Central Virginia:

• Surprise flash flooding — Although the severe thunderstorm watch yesterday expired at 9 PM, the Richmond area continued to see potent storms well into the overnight hours, causing frequent lightning and flash flooding

• Slight risk of severe weather — More of the same is possible today as there is a slight risk (level 2) of severe weather for the Richmond area, with storms most likely between 6pm and 10pm tonight. Thunderstorms could produce damaging winds and large hail.

• Moderate risk of excessive rainfall — Today could bring more flash flooding threats than yesterday, with rainfall amounts of up to 4” possible in some areas. Flood watches are in effect for most of the region.

In Depth:

• Last night’s thunderstorms were quite potent, and the worst effects from them came after the severe thunderstorm watch expired at 9pm. Clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms pushed through the Richmond area overnight, producing very heavy rain and a great deal of lightning. As of this writing, about 3,000 people are without power in the Richmond area. The rain fell at a high enough rate that it caused flash flooding in parts of the region, including within the City of Richmond itself. Thankfully there appear to be no reports of significant damage.

• More of the same is expected today. Although it won’t be quite as hot as yesterday, with high temperatures in the low 90s, the humid air mass left behind in the wake of Tropical Depression Chantal is firmly entrenched in the area, and daytime heating will be enough that we’re looking at another severe thunderstorm threat today. The time frame for thunderstorms appears to be similar to yesterday — 6pm to 10pm, with a few additional thunderstorms possible during the overnight hours. The Storm Prediction Center has given much of the area a Slight Risk (level 2) of severe weather, and the primary threats are damaging wind gusts to 60mph, large hail (particularly earlier in the evening), and frequent lightning.

• Although it won’t be as hot as it was yesterday, heat index values will likely approach 105° today, which will make outdoor activity potentially dangerous. Use caution and stay hydrated if you’re going to be outdoors much today.

• More concerning than the severe weather and heat is the potential for flooding rainfall. The ground is quite saturated after last night’s heavy thunderstorms, and some flash flooding occurred. There is so much moisture in the air that any thunderstorms that form today will produce very heavy rainfall at high rates, especially later in the evening. The Weather Prediction Center therefore has most of the area under a Moderate Risk (level 3) of excessive rainfall today. Rain could fall at rates of over 2 inches per hour, and storm total rainfall of up to 3 inches is possible in some spots, particularly to the southwest of Richmond and in the western parts of the metro area. This will likely cause another round of flash flooding, and the flooding could be worse than it was overnight. For that reason, flood watches are in effect for pretty much all of central and eastern Virginia.

• Thursday looks to be unsettled with a good chance of showers and thunderstorms, but high temperatures should be in the mid 80s and thunderstorms will be less likely to be severe. However, heavy rainfall is once again likely and the WPC has a Slight Risk (level 2) of excessive rainfall across the area.