Richmond, Virginia
Regional Weather Alerts
| Alert: | Special Weather Statement |
| Area(s): | Northampton; Fluvanna; Prince Edward; Cumberland; Goochland; Caroline; Mecklenburg; Lunenburg; Nottoway; Amelia; Powhatan; Westmoreland; Richmond; Northumberland; Lancaster; Brunswick; Dinwiddie; Prince George; Charles City; New Kent; Gloucester; Middlesex; Mathews; Greensville; Sussex; Surry; James City; Southampton; Isle of Wight; Suffolk; Western Louisa; Eastern Louisa; Western Hanover; Eastern Hanover; Western Chesterfield; Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights); Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond); Eastern Henrico; Western King William; Eastern King William; Western King and Queen; Eastern King and Queen; Western Essex; Eastern Essex; York; Newport News; Hampton/Poquoson |
| Effective: | 2026-04-16 @ 4:34 am |
| Onset: | 2026-04-16 @ 4:34 am -> 2026-04-16 @ 7:00 pm |
| Severity: | Moderate |
| Certainty: | Observed |
| Urgency: | Expected |
| Issued By: | NWS Wakefield VA on 2026-04-16 @ 4:34 am |
| Headline: | Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 5:34AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA |
| Description: |
The combination of low relative humidity values in the 25 to 30 percent range, dry fuels, and gusty southwest winds will result in an increased risk for the rapid spread of wildfires across much of central and eastern Virginia. In addition, this statement also includes Northampton County, North Carolina. Residents are urged to exercise caution handling any potential ignition source, including machinery, cigarettes, and matches. Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials. Any dry grasses and tree litter that ignite will have the potential to spread quickly. Virginia residents are reminded that open burning is prohibited before 4 PM EDT each day through April 30th. A statewide burn ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service is currently in place. Open burning of any kind is illegal. |
| Alert: | Special Weather Statement |
| Area(s): | Patapsco River including Baltimore Harbor; District of Columbia; Washington; Southern Baltimore; Prince Georges; Anne Arundel; Charles; St. Marys; Calvert; Central and Eastern Allegany; Northwest Montgomery; Central and Southeast Montgomery; Northwest Howard; Central and Southeast Howard; Augusta; Rockingham; Shenandoah; Frederick; Page; Warren; Clarke; Nelson; Albemarle; Greene; Madison; Rappahannock; Orange; Culpeper; Fairfax; Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria; Stafford; Spotsylvania; King George; Northern Fauquier; Southern Fauquier; Eastern Highland; Western Loudoun; Eastern Loudoun; Northern Virginia Blue Ridge; Central Virginia Blue Ridge; Northwest Prince William; Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park; Hampshire; Morgan; Berkeley; Jefferson; Hardy; Eastern Grant; Eastern Mineral; Eastern Pendleton |
| Effective: | 2026-04-16 @ 2:33 am |
| Onset: | 2026-04-16 @ 2:33 am -> 2026-04-16 @ 7:00 pm |
| Severity: | Moderate |
| Certainty: | Observed |
| Urgency: | Expected |
| Issued By: | NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC on 2026-04-16 @ 2:33 am |
| Headline: | Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:33AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC |
| Description: |
The combination of 10 hour fuel moistures around 9 percent, relative humidities around 25 percent, and wind gusts of 20 to 25 mph will lead to an increased risk for the rapid spread of wildfires this afternoon. Residents and visitors are urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers. Additionally, exercise caution if operating any equipment that could create sparks and keep vehicles off of dry grass. Most dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter could easily ignite and spread fire quickly. Lastly, remember to obey local burn bans. For more information about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention and education, please visit your state forestry or environmental protection website. For West Virginia, visit www.wvforestry.com For Maryland, visit dnr.maryland.gov For Virginia, visit dof.virginia.gov |
| Alert: | Special Weather Statement |
| Area(s): | Ashe; Alleghany; Surry; Stokes; Rockingham; Caswell; Watauga; Wilkes; Yadkin; Craig; Alleghany; Bath; Roanoke; Botetourt; Rockbridge; Patrick; Franklin; Bedford; Amherst; Henry; Pittsylvania; Campbell; Appomattox; Buckingham; Halifax; Charlotte |
| Effective: | 2026-04-16 @ 12:47 am |
| Onset: | 2026-04-16 @ 12:47 am -> 2026-04-16 @ 7:00 pm |
| Severity: | Moderate |
| Certainty: | Observed |
| Urgency: | Expected |
| Issued By: | NWS Blacksburg VA on 2026-04-16 @ 12:47 am |
| Headline: | Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 1:47AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA |
| Description: |
The combination of low relative humidity values in the 20 to 30 percent range and gusty southwest winds will continue to dry out fuels. This will result in an increased risk for the rapid spread of wildfires through this evening. Residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution handling any potential ignition source, including machinery, cigarettes, and matches. Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials. Any dry grasses and tree litter that ignite will have the potential to spread quickly. Virginia residents are reminded that open burning is prohibited before 4 PM EDT each day through April 30th. A statewide burn ban is also in effect for North Carolina. |
| Alert: | Special Weather Statement |
| Area(s): | Northampton; Fluvanna; Prince Edward; Cumberland; Goochland; Caroline; Mecklenburg; Lunenburg; Nottoway; Amelia; Powhatan; Westmoreland; Richmond; Northumberland; Lancaster; Brunswick; Dinwiddie; Prince George; Charles City; New Kent; Gloucester; Middlesex; Mathews; Greensville; Sussex; Surry; James City; Southampton; Isle of Wight; Suffolk; Western Louisa; Eastern Louisa; Western Hanover; Eastern Hanover; Western Chesterfield; Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights); Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond); Eastern Henrico; Western King William; Eastern King William; Western King and Queen; Eastern King and Queen; Western Essex; Eastern Essex; York; Newport News; Hampton/Poquoson |
| Effective: | 2026-04-15 @ 7:12 pm |
| Onset: | 2026-04-15 @ 7:12 pm -> 2026-04-16 @ 7:00 pm |
| Severity: | Moderate |
| Certainty: | Observed |
| Urgency: | Expected |
| Issued By: | NWS Wakefield VA on 2026-04-15 @ 7:12 pm |
| Headline: | Special Weather Statement issued April 15 at 8:12PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA |
| Description: |
The combination of low relative humidity values in the 25 to 30 percent range, dry fuels, and gusty southwest winds will result in an increased risk for the rapid spread of wildfires across much of central and eastern Virginia. In addition, this statement also includes Northampton County, North Carolina. Residents are urged to exercise caution handling any potential ignition source, including machinery, cigarettes, and matches. Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials. Any dry grasses and tree litter that ignite will have the potential to spread quickly. Virginia residents are reminded that open burning is prohibited before 4 PM EDT each day through April 30th. A statewide burn ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service is currently in place. Open burning of any kind is illegal. |