Idalia weakens to a tropical storm Wednesday evening

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Hurricane Idalia made landfall earlier Wednesday morning around Keaton Beach, Florida, as a Category 3, major hurricane, packing winds of 125 mph.

As of 11 p.m. Wednesday, Idalia is now a Tropical Storm with 60 mph winds as it tracks through eastern South Carolina and North Carolina.

Idalia expected to head out to sea Thursday afternoon — Idalia expected to head out to sea Thursday afternoon(NHC)

The storm is moving quickly to the NE at 21mph.

It should be positioned closer to Wilmington, NC during the overnight and then quickly moving away from the coast by Thursday afternoon.

Idalia will be moving heading to the North Carolina coast early Thursday morning with 60mph... — Idalia will be moving heading to the North Carolina coast early Thursday morning with 60mph winds.(NHC)

The most significant impacts will stay south of Virginia as high pressure and drier air blocks the system from moving farther north. The greatest impacts will be felt in the eastern Carolinas where Tropical Storm Warnings are in place.

Tropical storm warnings are in place for the coastal communities of eastern North and South... — Tropical storm warnings are in place for the coastal communities of eastern North and South Carolina. Wind speeds could exceed 40 mph in these areas later today through Thursday morning(nbc12)

A Tornado Watch is also in effect for parts of eastern North Carolina until 4 a.m. Thursday.

Conditions remain favorable overnight for an isolated tornado. — Conditions remain favorable overnight for an isolated tornado.(NWS)

Some of the outermost rain bands could spread into our far southern counties through Thursday morning.

For most all of us in central Virginia, expect mostly cloudy skies Thursday morning with low humidity. We will see an occasionally gusty NE breeze and the wind could gust upwards of 25+ mph at times. Skies will be clearing from west to east by Thursday afternoon into the evening.

A Gale Watch is in effect for the southern portion of the Chesapeake Bay down to Virginia Beach including the eastern shore. This is where winds could gust up to 40+ mph from Thursday morning through Friday morning.

Area from the south end of the Chesapeake Bay down to Virginia Beach including the Eastern... — Area from the south end of the Chesapeake Bay down to Virginia Beach including the Eastern Shore could see wind gusts upwards of 40 mph on Thursday. Waves could reach 4'-6'.(NBC12)

Once Idalia pushes out to sea our cloud cover decreases from west to east during the afternoon and evening. Sunshine and low humidity expected into the Labor Day weekend holiday.

Be sure to download the NBC12 First Alert Weather app for up-to-date information and to receive severe weather alerts. You can find the app in the Apple Store and on Google Play.

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