It seems only fitting that today, the first full day of Spring, began with some thunderstorms across the region. I received numerous reports of vivid lightning, "explosive" thunder, very heavy rain, and brief, gusty winds.

Who needs that alarm clock, anyway?

For the mayhem in the skies this morning we have to thank a cold front sitting to our west. Even though the front  is several hundred miles away from us, the environment ahead of it this morning was ripe enough to produce some showers and thunderstorms. As the  front pushes warm, humid air into the colder atmosphere aloft later today, more showers and thunderstorms can be expected. Gusty winds, heavy rain, and even small hail may accompany some of the storms.

If you're hoping for more precipitation this week, Mother Nature won't disappoint. A storm system will slide through on Wednesday, bringing more rain to the region. We could be looking at yet another system this coming weekend which may bring rain Saturday into Sunday.

After several dry months, it's nice to finally cash in and ease our drought a tad. Areas south and west of Charlottesville remain under a moderate drought, however, and I think that the rain ahead may allow for an upgrade to "abnormally dry" conditions. Still, I'm not a fan of the "feast-or-famine" style by which we've gotten our rain. I'd prefer a nice three-hour, five-course meal myself.

Just no pickles, please.

3, 2, 1, fade out...

Chief Meteorologist Travis Koshko

(This blog typed while listening to "Radioactive" by Kings of Leon and "Let my Baby Ride" by R.L. Burnside.)