Mountain Area Headlines

A MCS ( Mesoscale Convective System ) – thunderstorm cluster will be pushing into the mountain area by mid to late afternoon ( 4:00 to 6:00 PM ) with a threat of damaging winds, lightning, and torrential rainfall.

High Knob Massif WebCAM_UVA-Wise

850 MB Flow And CAPE

*Several thunderstorm clusters will be moving east toward the Appalachians through this afternoon-evening.  Models currently predict the second and third clusters to become most severe ( the final cluster possibly impacting a region west of the mountains…but remain alert throughout the remainder of this afternoon-evening ).

The greatest threats remain west of the mountains according to the Storm Prediction Center, but local risks should be respected and have the potential to become greater than currently indicated with partial clearing in advance of the developing thunderstorm clusters adding to instability in high dewpoint air.

These storms will be capable of generating torrential rainfall, such that strong water level rises will also be at least a local threat ( ultimately, perhaps, becoming the greatest threat given such a wet May 2018…any activity that trains or moves repeatedly across the same corridor will therefore be especially prone to trigger flash flooding ).

Stay Tuned to NOAA Weather Radio and your favorite media sources for possible watches and warnings that may be needed.