It was a dark and stormy
night late afternoon in Roanoke and areas eastward. I was driving the center lane northbound I-581 near the Roanoke airport when a storm suddenly intensified. Wind-driven rain reduced the visibility to about 20 feet, to the point I literally couldn't see the car in front of me. Not a pleasant feeling when you're still driving 30+ mph. After a brake check or two, I passed a row of cars parked in the right lane (not on the shoulder, mind you) for a 2-mile stretch between Valley View Mall and Peters Creek Road. The Roanoke airport measured a wind gust of 58 mph around that time and a quick 0.68" of rain. Here at the house about 2 miles away, we must have been between cells, as I had a gust of only 24 mph and 0.01" of rain.
Our fellow forum member
George Richardson had some stormy weather today on the lake as well.
Here is the last webcam picture I got from his camera:
I'm sure you can see the wall of water over the lake in the picture. Reminded me of my drive home. George measured a wind gust of at least 51 mph, which I believe would be a record for him.
His web site hasn't updated since that time and his cameras are still offline (normally I think they are up 24/7). Hopefully it's only a power outage and not the result of a lightning strike or property damage.
I'm sure (hoping) he will chime in with his thoughts.
