Graphic radar image from the Blue Ridge Escarpment (SC/NC mountains)

[DemoTex]

This is a graphic radar image of a weather phenomenon here on the Blue Ridge Escarpment, that we see from time to time. Usually with a strong southwest flow. I have tried to explain it to many folks, but - here - a picture is worth not having to listen to me explain atmospheric physics.

The strong southeast flow from Irma is piling moisture up against the Blue Ridge Escarment. The resultant phenomenon looks like a line of thunderstorms on radar (blue circle). It is NOT thunderstorms, but it IS vertically deflected rain.

I called this at about 5:45 pm, and WYFF-TV's John Cessarich described it twenty minutes later! John Cessarich says the worst is yet to come (between now and midnight), with up to six more inches of rain.

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Chicago may get some rain out of Irma on Wednesday.

It's traveled far.

[GulfCoast66]

2. Hurricane Camille in 69 was a horrible storm

Still talked about on the gulf coast.

But it killed more people in Virginia than on the gulf for just this reason. Hot, moisture laden air meeting cooling mountains.

Good luck to the people up there. Irma was a bitch here. Took off 25% of my shingles.

[DemoTex]

6. Camille in Virginia

It was devastating. Washed out US-29 bridges. Etc.. Just look at the historic high-water plaque on the Virginia side of Great Falls on the Potomac. It was incredible.

[LexVegas]

7. 27 inches of rain in 3 to 5 hours in Nelson County. nt

[mn9driver]

3. Orographic lifting.

Interesting to see such a clear example on radar.

[DemoTex]

5. Exactly!

Would have made for some great ridge soaring.

[mn9driver]

8. No surprise that a Naval Aviator would remember that term.

[Duppers]

4. I'm familiar with the area.

Thanks, multi-talented DemoTex.


I'm emailing this to my hubs, the old mountain hiking enthusiast who loves this area.