Hurricane Ian hits the Southeast. Heavy rain, winds this weekend.
STAUNTON — There is a hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service as Hurricane Ian makes landfall on the Southeast Friday.
The weather outlook has been issued for West Virginia, northern and central Virginia, and central and western Maryland. Expect isolated instances of flooding from rain Friday and Friday night, the alert said, for most of central Virginia. Saturday through Thursday there could be instances of flooding from rain.
As Hurricane Ian makes its way through the Southeast, there will be life-threatening storm surge and rip currents, heavy rain and flash flooding, tornadoes and hurricane-force winds can be expected along the South Carolina coast and into North Carolina, the NWS said.
According to NWS Meteorologist Cody Ledbetter, Staunton and the surrounding areas should expect potentially heavy rainfall starting late Friday afternoon until Sunday. He said the heavy rain will come in a couple different rounds — one centered on Friday and Friday evening and then again on Sunday.
The area could see 3 to 4 inches of rain, with the possibility of higher amounts along the ridges.
Ledbetter also warned that the winds will be in the 20 to 30 mph range in Staunton, but on higher elevations could reach up to 50 mph.
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National Weather Service forecast
Friday
Rain likely, mainly after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 58. Northeast wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday night
Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 p.m. Low around 50. Breezy, with a northeast wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Saturday
Rain. High near 58. Northeast wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday night
Rain. Low around 52. North wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday night
Rain likely, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday
A chance of rain before 8am, then a chance of showers after 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday night
A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Laura Peters is the trending topics reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Or a good feature? You can reach reporter Laura Peters (she/her) at lpeters@newsleader.com. Follow her @peterslaura. Subscribe to The News Leader at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Southeast. Rains, winds this weekend.
