NoVA Weather: How Tropical Storm Chris Will Affect Virginia

NORFOLK, VA — Tropical Storm Chris is expected to bring dangerous surf conditions and rip currents to Virginia coastal waters after it becomes a hurricane late Monday night or Tuesday morning, with the storm currently churning about 200 miles of the coast of North Carolina. But the storm will be too far off-shore and will not directly impact the Commonwealth when it passes by midweek, although showers and thunderstorms are possible.

The National Weather Service said Chris is likely to pass well east of Virginia on Wednesday. But a Beach Hazards Statement is in effect from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening for Virginia Beach and the Currituck Outer Banks, along with a high rip current risk for the same period. Breaking waves of 3 to 5 feet will result in rough surf conditions.

"Long-period swells from Tropical System Chris will cause an enhanced risk for the development of dangerous rip currents through, at least, the middle of the week," according to the National Weather Service.
Indeed, the Coast Guard has warned mariners and beachgoers of hazardous weather that could take place as Tropical Storm Chris makes its way up the East Coast.

Swells generated by Chris are expected to increase and affect portions of the coasts of North Carolina and the mid-Atlantic states during the next few days. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, the NWS warns.

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Wind, waves and visibility can quickly become problematic for boaters, while the increased sea states leading up to and after a tropical storm can create powerful rip currents that can pull even the strongest swimmer away from the shore. Swimmers are urged to only swim at beaches with active duty lifeguards and to follow local advisories at their beach for beach closures and rip currents.

AccuWeatherRecreational and commercial mariners are advised to put safety first and operate within their vessel's parameters and not to go out in heavy weather, the Coast Guard says.

"Rip currents are serious risk in the mid-Atlantic. If you head to the beach, pay attention to the local beach advisories and check the weather forecast before you go," said Matt Brooks, command duty officer at the 5th District command center. "There have been numerous deaths this year due to rip currents. Swim at a beach with a lifeguard and do not swim after hours."

Here are some other points made by the Coast Guard:

• Rip currents are a significant threat along the mid-Atlantic coast, primarily along the southern Outer Banks in North Carolina, in Maryland waterways and off the Virginia shore.
• The most important safety precaution people should take regarding rip currents is to swim only at beaches where lifeguards are on duty. Lifeguards are highly trained and are the first line of defense when beachgoers are swept away by rip currents. Don't take the risk of swimming at an unguarded beach.
• The presence of rip currents along our coasts is another reason people should wear life jackets at all times. People who fall overboard boats or overturn paddlecraft could potentially be affected by rip currents, and wearing a life jacket could help save their lives.

Here is the forecast:
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 6 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 88. North wind 7 to 9 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Image via Maria Cormack-Pitts/Patch