Pilot Weather Spotters

Our trained volunteers report on weather conditions from their neighborhoods around the Hampton Roads region. See our daily weather reports at PilotOnline.com and, and share photos in the weather photo gallery.

Mini "White Out" in Great Bridge

3/4" @ 8:30 P.M. (Snow has stopped by 9:00 P.M.)

Earlier this evening, My wife and I saw some slight flurries.

We decided to go "out" for a bit and found ourselves in a "Big Box" store.

After about 30 minutes, we were surprised to see large flakes snowing "sideways" and the cars were covered. It was amazing!

On the way home, the 168 By-Pass had not only the shoulders covered, but the whole road was completely white from Hillcrest exit to Hanbury Exit (2 miles). Thank goodness for the rumble strips on the shoulders!

The fun part was driving north on 168. It was like a blizzard blowing right in your face.

My daughter has already started working on her first snowman.

Ross Taylor, You're a Genius!

Hey Spotters...

I hope everyone got a chance to catch Ross Taylor's photo on Thursday's front page of the Hampton Roads section of The Virginian Pilot. It's a night shot of The Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception during the severe weather that struck the Hampton Roads area Wednesday. Ross' picture is of the steeple with lightning in the background.

Awesome shot, Ross. Well done indeed.

If you want to see an even better shot of the photo, go to hamptonroads [dot] com (you know what I mean) and look at the photo gallery.

Ross, If you're reading this, or someone who knows him (and can convey) could/would you post the metadata from this shot? It would be interesting to compare yours to my attempts/failures.

Thanks for such a great shot.

Matthew Albright, Weatherspotter

Chesapeake, VA

 (Great Bridge/Hickory)

After The Storm!

Photos taken along various point after Hurricane Irene.

A view of my backyard in Norfolk after the river took out most of the landscaping and flung our little skiff off the boat lift and onto shore.

Large waves from Irene destroyed our pier.

The boardwalk and pier at Old Dominion University in Norfolk were both destroyed.

 

This house in Norfolk was lucky to avoid major damage after a tree fell right onto the house.

Large trees and downed power lines were a popular sight in Larchmont.

City of Norfolk crews just finished cutting up this tree that fell in front of Larchmont Elementary School.

Martin Cornick, Pilot 13 Weatherspotter

Norfolk, VA

 

During The Storm

Photos taken along various point during the arrival of Hurricane Irene.

The clouds from Irene just starting reaching the Outer Banks on Friday creating a stunning sunrise!

Winds howled in Point Harbor, NC.

This tree fell across State Road 158 near Grandy in North Carolina during the heart of the storm.

 

Street signs were snapped like twigs as a result of gusty winds in Currituck County, NC.

Floodgates were shut tight in Downtown Norfolk as residents waited for high tide.

The Pamlico Sound looked more like an ocean. This was taken as the eyewall approached from the Wright Memorial Bridge.

Norfolk streets became raging rivers as high tide approached.

Martin Cornick, Pilot 13 Weatherspotter

Norfolk, VA

 

Before The Storm....

Photos taken along various point before the arrival of Hurricane Irene.

Duck Town Office boarded up for Irene!

Many local shops in Duck, NC decided to board up just in case Irene remained strong.

Houses further up north in Corolla were preparing for the worst

 

Stores took products off of lower shelves and placed them in shopping carts to avoid flood waters.

Cars stretched for miles as evacuation traffic headed for the Wright Memorial Bridge on Thursday, August 25.

A message to Irene and a certain well known meteorologist.

Some stores in Norfolk decided to board up as well like this Rite Aid in Ghent.

Martin Cornick, Pilot 13 Weatherspotter

Norfolk, VA

 

Irene Damage in Southern Chesapeake

There are photos taken from the Great Bridge/Hickory section in Chesapeake.

Partial Collapse of a barn (Peaceful Rd.) due to high winds from Irene.

Another shot of the barn.

Closer shot.

 

Tree broken  onto house on Spurlane Circle.

Tree Broken and fell onto a house on Spurlane Circle.

Same tree

(Funny story - The poor guy had another just like this beside this one that fell and damaged his house during the twister that went through Great Bridge earlier this year!)

The end of Peaceful Rd. Totally Impassable.

 Matthew Albright, Pilot 13 Weatherspotter

Chesapeake, VA

(Southern Chesapeake/Great Bridge/Hickory)

 

Earthquake! Earthquake!!!

"Did you feel it?"

 

I've had 10 phone calls already The occurrence shook here in the Great Bridge section of Chesapeake for approximately 15 seconds. It started with a low "grumbling" noise followed by 10 seconds of shaking. My aunt felt it all the way down in Moyock, NC.

 

My daughter said they're calling it a 5.8 magnitude quake. I'll post more as I hear.

 

Matthew Albright, Weatherspotter

Chesapeake, VA

Stormy Night in Hampton Roads

2.64inches of rain fell in the Larchmont area of Norfolk last night as strong storms moved into the area. During the height of the event winds reached over 50mph at my station.

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KVANORFO13&day=25&year=2011&month=7

Pilot13 WeatherSpotter- Martin Cornick

Full Moon in Norfolk

A full moon over the Lafayette River

Pilot13 WeatherSpotter- Martin Cornick