• Flood Threat VA/NC

    From Mike Powell@618:250/1 to All on Tue Sep 16 10:04:01 2025
    AWUS01 KWNH 161401
    FFGMPD
    VAZ000-NCZ000-162000-

    Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 1091
    NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
    1001 AM EDT Tue Sep 16 2025

    Areas affected...Southeast VA and far Northeast NC Tidewater Region

    Concerning...Heavy rainfall...Flash flooding likely

    Valid 161400Z - 162000Z

    SUMMARY...Ongoing heavy rainfall across parts of southeast VA and
    far northeast NC associated with a potent nearby coastal low is
    expected to continue through at least this afternoon. Maximum
    rainfall rates are expected to remain in the 1-3"/hr range, with
    6-hr totals up to 4". This is anticipated to lead to scattered
    instances of flash flooding, which may be exacerbated due to
    coastal flooding impacts and urbanized ground conditions.

    DISCUSSION...Latest GOES-EAST visible satellite imagery highlights
    a compact surface low pressure system about 40 miles east of the
    NC Outer Banks, with regional radar imagery and surface
    observations depicting moderate to locally heavy rainfall across
    coastal sections of VA and far northeast NC. Rainfall amounts
    through 1330Z of 1.5-2.0" have been reported in the
    Norfolk/Virginia Beach region, mainly associated with a band of
    heavy rainfall that moved westward through the region this
    morning. The highest rainfall rates (up to 3"/hr per MRMS) are
    currently offshore and associated with the deepest convection
    (coldest cloud tops around -66C) near the low pressure center.
    However, an axis of low-level convergence extends to the northwest
    along the VA/NC coastline and enhanced by 30-40kt
    east-northeasterly 850mb winds and an associated warm front
    extending east-northeast from the low pressure system. This strong
    easterly flow, while enhancing convergence, is also maybe more
    importantly aiding to increase MUCAPE above 500 J/kg per the
    latest RAP into northeast NC. Elevated instability is expected to
    continue increasing gradually through this afternoon as the
    surface low slowly drifts north-northwestward, as well as PWs
    which should remain near or slightly below 2". This will help
    maintain rainfall rates in the 1-3"/hr range and eventually lead
    to greater coverage of these higher rates through around 20Z as
    additional rainbands move inland.

    Radar representations over the next 6-hrs will likely exhibit
    north-south bands of heavy rainfall moving inland along the coast
    where greatest convergence exists intersecting the coastline and
    influence from an associated warm front and easterly flow. These
    bands will likely weaken as they progress westward, before being
    replaced by new heavy rainfall bands oriented in a similar fashion
    as the coastal low drifts closer to southeast VA. Latest HRRR and
    experimental RRFS guidance depicts additional rainfall amounts up
    to 4" possible through 20Z and most likely along the immediate
    coast of southeast VA and the southern Delmarva Peninsula, but
    with even heavier amounts possible just after 20Z. These rainfall
    amounts when combined with coastal flooding and any urban
    influence (i.e. Norfolk/Virginia Beach) are likely to lead to
    scattered instances of flash flooding during this time period.
    Additional MPDs will likely be needed this evening as the event
    continues through tonight.

    Snell

    ATTN...WFO...AKQ...

    ATTN...RFC...ALR...RHA...NWC...

    LAT...LON 37727599 37647566 37447549 37257559 36887571
    36457573 36377601 36707647 37107668 37427662
    37647633
    $$
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