As Hurricane Helene stays away from the eastern half of Virginia, the National Weather Service in Wakefield says Friday will be wet and windy.
Even though the storm is supposed to move west toward Appalachia, expert Allison Mitchell says it will have effects in other places as well. towns in Hampton Roads will probably get an inch of rain on Friday, while towns closer to Richmond will get about two inches. Mitchell said that there is a chance of rain again on Sunday. It will be mostly dry on Saturday.
Peak wind speed will happen early Friday morning through early afternoon. Winds could reach 40 mph along the coast of Virginia and other parts of the lower Chesapeake Bay. Gusts will be around 25 mph.
Mitchell said, “The main threats would be a few brief tornadoes and damaging wind gusts. After that, we’ll be safe for severe weather on Saturday.”
Some parts of the Peninsula are at a “marginal” risk, which is the lowest level of five. South Hampton Roads has a higher chance of having a tornado. Meteorologists in Wakefield raised the risk to a Level Two, which means “slight risk.”
There will still be a high chance of rip currents over the weekend.
The worst effects of Helene are likely to stay west of the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
NWS Newport/Morehead City prediction office on Thursday afternoon, a few weak tornadoes could happen through Friday. There could also be some minor flooding along the coast and strong winds, especially over the water near Cape Hatteras.
There will be a high risk of rip currents along the whole Outer Banks, probably through the weekend.