Richmond was spared the potential worst on Monday, as an initial forecast that called for a 30-44% chance of tornadoes turned into a day with small bursts of rain.

In parts of Western Henrico, a tornado warning was issued at 8:20 p.m., though it was not immediately clear if one touched down in the area. Dominion reported about 28,000 customers without power in the metro area, with crews dispatched across the area.

The evening burst came after a relatively quiet day.

Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras said he wished the district hadn't canceled school, but will always prioritize safety.

"When I make weather-related decisions, my top priority is always the safety of our students and staff," he wrote in an email to parents. "When there is clear evidence pointing to severe conditions—especially during arrival or dismissal times—I err on the side of caution.

"Much to my surprise, today turned out to be quite mild. In short, I made a bad call and apologize for the inconvenience it caused our families."

Neighboring school districts also made the decision to cancel school.

City and county offices and courthouses closed early, with Richmond city workers given the opportunity to work remotely beginning at 1 p.m.

Richmond's City Council canceled a meeting of the Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee.

Local meteorologist Matt DiNardo, with 8News, said that it's tough for nothing to happen but it remains important to take severe weather threats seriously.

"We really saw a lot of severe elements that were going to come together," he said in a Facebook video. "They didn't."

He referred to the situation as "a bust," as Richmond's severe weather watches were all lifted in the early evening hours.

Contact Michael Phillips at mphillips@richmonder.org. This story has been updated.