Two Lows and a High Walk Into a Forecast…
It’s one of those weeks where Mother Nature’s running her own relay race — passing the storm baton from one low-pressure system to the next, while high pressure lags waiting to clean up the mess.
Tonight: Breezy, Damp, and Clouded Over
A deepening low-pressure system continues to slide northeast off the Mid-Atlantic coast tonight. It’s keeping skies stubbornly gray and sending some light rain across southern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.
Up north toward Richmond and beyond, the rain has a tougher time surviving the dry air filtering in from a high-pressure system dropping down out of Quebec — like a polite Canadian breeze asking the clouds to move along, eh?
Winds have been feisty, gusting 20–25 mph inland and up to 40 mph along the coast. They’ll ease a bit overnight, but don’t expect total calm. Temperatures settle into the 40s for most of central Virginia, and the low 50s closer to the coast.
Wednesday–Thursday: Round Two Moves In
Just as the first system heads out, another one barrels in from the southwest.
Expect more rain and breezy conditions Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. Temperatures stay cool — 50s inland, around 60°F toward the coast. The northern half of the region will get the brunt of this one, with rain totals up to 1.5” possible north of I-64.
There’s even a marginal risk of isolated strong gusts Wednesday night into Thursday, especially toward southeast Virginia and coastal North Carolina. Nothing widespread, but a rumble of thunder or a surprise wind gust isn’t out of the question.
By Thursday evening, the low lifts northeast and things start to dry out once again.
Friday Through the Weekend: Calm After the Chaos
Just in time for Halloween — we dry out, but the breeze sticks around.
High pressure slides in from the southwest, tightening the gradient once again. Expect gusty winds around 20–30 mph Friday, along with seasonably chilly temps. Afternoon highs top out in the low 60s, and Friday night looks downright crisp with lows in the 40s.
The weekend keeps that classic fall flavor — clear skies, cool air, and the possibility of some patchy frost in outlying spots where the growing season still holds on.
If you’re planning your Halloween decor, hang on to those skeletons — the wind’s going to try to relocate them. 🎃
The Bottom Line:
🌧️ Light rain tonight mainly south of Richmond
🌬️ Breezy through midweek, gusts 25–40 mph
🌧️ Another round of rain late Wednesday–Thursday (heavier north)
🌤️ Dry, cooler, and windy Friday into the weekend
🥶 Frost potential this weekend for parts of central Virginia
In the Garden:
Soil moisture’s about to get a solid boost, which is great news for fall plantings and cover crops. Just hold off on any major digging until after Thursday — things will be a muddy mess. Come the weekend, you’ll get those crisp, calm mornings perfect for cleaning up beds or laying mulch before the first frost.
RVA Local Teaser:
Downtown trick-or-treaters, you might need to anchor those costumes with something heavier than a Snickers bar — it’s going to be breezy Friday night. Out toward Goochland and Louisa, watch for that first hint of frost by Sunday morning.