Rain Expected Friday with Clearing Skies; Warm Father's Day Weekend Ahead Amid Severe Drought

A cold front will move through the Charlottesville region on Friday, bringing some rain to start the day before clearing skies from west to east by afternoon. The system is expected to pick up moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Arthur, though steadier, soaking rain will remain farther south and east. Overall rain accumulations for the area are forecast at generally under a half inch. Friday highs will reach the low to mid 80s, with a breezy northwest wind contributing to a notable drop in humidity.

The Father's Day weekend will feature less humid conditions and warm temperatures, with highs in the mid to upper 80s Saturday and upper 80s to near 90 on Sunday. Sunday, June 21, marks the Summer Solstice at 4:24 AM, bringing the longest day of the year with just under fifteen hours of daylight. A breezy afternoon Friday and pleasant weekend weather are expected, though a new storm system is anticipated to bring showers and storms by Monday.

Drought conditions remain severe across Virginia despite the incoming precipitation. The latest drought monitor shows all of Virginia under drought status, with 53 percent in severe drought and 33 percent in extreme drought—a category that includes much of Central Virginia. The Charlottesville/Albemarle Airport reports a current year-to-date precipitation deficit of nearly eight inches. With summer now arriving and evaporation rates and water consumption increasing, weather officials note the ongoing drought presents significant concerns for the region.