Alert archive / Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 1998

Flash Flood Warning 83, NWS Blacksburg, VA

June 10, 1998Smyth County, Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this flash flood warning at Jun 10, 1998, 10:08 AM EDT for Smyth County, Virginia. It was in force for 57 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued: Jun 10, 1998, 10:08 AM EDT (14:08 UTC)
Expired: Jun 10, 1998, 11:05 AM EDT
In force: 57 min
Issued by: NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area: Whole counties

County Smyth County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 114 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 14:07 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 2.1 hours before the alert went out and 169 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 87 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -64 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 459 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 20 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 23 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: -45 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KROA 101407
FFWRNK
VAC173-101505-

BULLETIN--EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1008 AM EDT WED JUN 10 1998

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  WESTERN SMYTH COUNTY IN SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

* UNTIL 1105 AM EDT.

* AT 1005 AM EDT... AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT INDICATED CONTINUED
  FLOODING IN WESTERN SMYTH COUNTY IN THE VICINITY OF CHILHOWIE.
  ONLY SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WITH MODERATE RAIN REMAIN IN THE
  AREA HOWEVER EARLIER HEAVY RAINFALL IS STILL RESULTING IN
  FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS.

* ADDITIONAL RAINFALL IS EXPECTED TO BE LESS THAN A HALF AN INCH
  BY 11 AM EDT BUT FLASH FLOODING IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE THROUG THIS
  TIME.

<< CALL TO ACTION >> DON'T DRIVE ACROSS FLOODED ROADS! MOST FLASH
FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL RADIO OR TV STATION
FOR THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION.*

.END/SJK

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Blacksburg, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jun 10, 9:41 AM EDT, 27 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 10, 9:41 AM EDT, 27 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
843 AM EDT WED JUN 10 1998

THIS IS GOING TO BE REALLY SHORT AS SEVERE WX AND FLOODING HAVE KEPT
US A LITTLE BUSY THIS MORNING.

FIRST AREA OF HEAVIER ACTIVITY NOW EXITING THE EASTERN PORTIONS OF
THE AREA AND MAKING SOME PROGRESS MOVING SOUTHEAST IN THE SRN PARTS
OF AREA. CONCERN IS FOR ADDITIONAL PRECIP MOVG IN FROM KY THIS AFTN
WHICH WILL LIKELY PRODUCE ADDITIONAL FLOODING IN SWRN CWA.

TSTMS THIS AFTN PSBL ALNG FNTL BNDRY AND AGAIN WHERE WE NOW HAVE SUN
BEGINNING TO STIR THINGS UP. THINKING IS THAT THE SEVERITY OF THIS
AFTN/EVE ACTIVITY WILL BE CNSDRBLY LESS THAN THIS MORNINGS.

AM SNDNG LAUNCHED IN TSTMS - WOULD NOT PUT jMUCH STOCK IN WHAT IT
SHOWS.

MG

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 10, 6:39 AM EDT, 3 hours 29 minutes before

NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-
059-WVZ042>045-061200-

SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
639 AM EDT WED JUN 10 1998

...SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...
NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA...

A WARM FRONT IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHWEST
NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA THIS AFTERNOON. SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS THIS MORNING WILL PROVIDE THE MOISTURE...AND HEATING
FROM THE SUN MAKE THE AIRMASS MODERATELY UNSTABLE. THE FRONT WILL BE
A FOCUS FOR LATE AFTERNOON THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT. STRONG WINDS
ALOFT WILL HELP STRENGTHEN ANY STORMS THAT DEVELOP...AND THEY MAY
REACH SEVERE LEVELS. THE GREATEST THREAT WILL BE FROM LARGE HAIL AND
DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUIRED LATE THIS AFTERNOON.
AN UPDATED SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK WILL BE ISSUED AROUND NOON TODAY.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL RADIO OR TV STATION
FOR LATER STATEMENTS OR WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS POTENTIAL SEVERE
WEATHER SITUATION.

JJ

Local storm report, Jun 10, 7:21 AM EDT, 2 hours 47 minutes before

LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
721 AM EDT WED JUN 10 1998

TIME (EDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

325 AM     BLUEFIELD                 VA   1.25 INCH HAIL
06/10/98   TAZEWELL                       SPOTTER ON THE VIRGINIA
                                          WEST VIRGINIA LINE IN
                                          BLUEFIELD REPORTED HAIL
                                          COVERING THE GROUND...SOME
                                          UP TO 1.25 INCH.

435 AM     WEST JEFFERSON            NC   1.50 INCH HAIL
06/10/98   ASHE                           SHERIFF REPORTED PING PONG
                                          BALL SIZED HAIL IN WEST
                                          JEFFERSON.

556 AM     BIG ISLAND                VA   1.00 INCH HAIL
06/10/98   BEDFORD                        SPOTTER REPORTED QUARTER
                                          SIZE HAIL.

610 AM     INDEPENDENCE              VA   0.75 INCH HAIL
06/10/98   GRAYSON                        SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT REPORTED
                                          DIME AND 3/4 INCH HAIL 2 MILES
                                          NORTH OF INDEPENDENCE.

610 AM     ENNIS                     NC   0.75 INCH HAIL
           ALLEGHANY                      TELEVISION METEOROLOGIST
                                          REPORTED 3/4 INCH HAIL AND
                                          WINDS OF 50-60 MPH IN ENNIS.

614 AM     LYNCHBURG                 VA   0.75 INCH HAIL
           CITY OF LYNCHBURG              SPOTTER REPORT

615 AM     2 S MONROE                VA   0.75 INCH HAIL
           AMHERST                        SPOTTER DRIVING TO WORK HAD
                                          3/4 INCH HAIL AT ROUTE 130
                                          AND AMOLON ROAD.

633 AM     6 N APPOMATTOX            VA   0.75 INCH HAIL
           APPOMATTOX                     SPOTTER REPORTED 3/4 INCH HAIL
                                          AT HIGHWAY 26 AND ROUTE 615.

Local storm report, Jun 10, 7:21 AM EDT, 2 hours 47 minutes before

LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
721 AM EDT WED JUN 10 1998

TIME (EDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

325 AM     BLUEFIELD                 VA   1.25 INCH HAIL
06/10/98   TAZEWELL                       SPOTTER ON THE VIRGINIA
                                          WEST VIRGINIA LINE IN
                                          BLUEFIELD REPORTED HAIL
                                          COVERING THE GROUND...SOME
                                          UP TO 1.25 INCH.

435 AM     WEST JEFFERSON            NC   1.50 INCH HAIL
06/10/98   ASHE                           SHERIFF REPORTED PING PONG
                                          BALL SIZED HAIL IN WEST
                                          JEFFERSON.

556 AM     BIG ISLAND                VA   1.00 INCH HAIL
06/10/98   BEDFORD                        SPOTTER REPORTED QUARTER
                                          SIZE HAIL.

610 AM     INDEPENDENCE              VA   0.75 INCH HAIL
06/10/98   GRAYSON                        SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT REPORTED
                                          DIME AND 3/4 INCH HAIL 2 MILES
                                          NORTH OF INDEPENDENCE.

610 AM     ENNIS                     NC   0.75 INCH HAIL
           ALLEGHANY                      TELEVISION METEOROLOGIST
                                          REPORTED 3/4 INCH HAIL AND
                                          WINDS OF 50-60 MPH IN ENNIS.

614 AM     LYNCHBURG                 VA   0.75 INCH HAIL
           CITY OF LYNCHBURG              SPOTTER REPORT

615 AM     2 S MONROE                VA   0.75 INCH HAIL
           AMHERST                        SPOTTER DRIVING TO WORK HAD
                                          3/4 INCH HAIL AT ROUTE 130
                                          AND AMOLON ROAD.

633 AM     6 N APPOMATTOX            VA   0.75 INCH HAIL
           APPOMATTOX                     SPOTTER REPORTED 3/4 INCH HAIL
                                          AT HIGHWAY 26 AND ROUTE 615.

Local storm report, Jun 10, 7:59 AM EDT, 2 hours 9 minutes before

LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
759 AM EDT WED JUN 10 1998

TIME (EDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

718 AM     3 SE FERGUSON             NC   WIND DAMAGE
06/10/98   WILKES                         SEVERAL 12-14 INCH DIAMETER
                                          TREES DOWN NEAR ROUTE 18
                                          AND BEAVER CREEK ROAD. SOME
                                          ROOFING ON CHICKEN COOPS
                                          PEELED BACK BY WINDS.

SJK

Local storm report, Jun 10, 7:59 AM EDT, 2 hours 9 minutes before

LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
759 AM EDT WED JUN 10 1998

TIME (EDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

718 AM     3 SE FERGUSON             NC   WIND DAMAGE
06/10/98   WILKES                         SEVERAL 12-14 INCH DIAMETER
                                          TREES DOWN NEAR ROUTE 18
                                          AND BEAVER CREEK ROAD. SOME
                                          ROOFING ON CHICKEN COOPS
                                          PEELED BACK BY WINDS.

SJK

The office that day

Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jun 10, 3:18 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Tazewell	32 min
Jun 10, 5:22 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Smyth	33 min
Jun 10, 5:30 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Smyth	65 min
Jun 10, 5:42 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Grayson	48 min
Jun 10, 5:52 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Bedford	33 min
Jun 10, 6:10 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Amherst, City of Lynchburg	35 min
Jun 10, 6:28 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Appomattox	32 min
Jun 10, 8:12 AM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Smyth	118 min
Jun 10, 9:18 AM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Tazewell	2 hr
Jun 10, 11:04 AM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Smyth	3 hr
Jun 10, 11:12 AM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Tazewell	3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Virginia, 1998 Every flash flood warning in 1998

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.