Alert archive / North Carolina / Special Weather Statements in 2018

Special Weather Statement, NWS Blacksburg, VA

August 6, 2018Wilkes County, North Carolina

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this special weather statement at Aug 6, 2018, 2:10 PM EDT for Wilkes County, North Carolina. It was in force for 50 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Aug 6, 2018, 2:10 PM EDT (18:10 UTC)
Expired
Aug 6, 2018, 3:00 PM EDT
In force
50 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA

County Wilkes County, NC

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 114 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:13 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, 6.2 hours before the alert went out and 123 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2018-08-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 874 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2018-08-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 18 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
874 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-44 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1356 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
13 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
18 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
33 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

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What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this special weather statement 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 special weather statement went out at Aug 6, 1:42 PM EDT, 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 6, 1:42 PM EDT, 28 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
142 PM EDT Mon Aug 6 2018

.SYNOPSIS...
High pressure was centered over the southeastern United States
providing typical summer weather conditions with a daily threat
for mainly afternoon and evening thunderstorms and near
seasonal temperatures. A weak cold front will approach from the
west by midweek bringing a better chances for organized showers
and storms for Wednesday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 130 PM EDT Monday...

Isolated storms are firing further north and east than models
had for early this afternoon. However, the best concentration
for storms will be from a line south of Bluefield WV to Mount
Airy NC. PoPs and WX have been updated.

Storms this afternoon/evening are capable of producing heavy
downpours which could lead to localized flooding. There is also
a threat that any storms forming this afternoon could also
produce wet microburst. The threat level for flooding or severe
weather is low, but not zero.

As of 1000 AM EDT Monday...

Issued an update to the forecast as fog has almost dissipated
across the Greenbrier and southern Shenandoah Valleys this
morning. We also lower PoPs through the morning as skies have
become mostly sunny with little to no cumulus formation. PoPs
increase around noon for the Bluefield and Mountain Empire area
and around 1 PM for the NC High County as a cluster of storms,
currently in eastern KY, track towards this area. Isolated
storms are expected across the rest of the mountains later this
afternoon.

As of 400 AM EDT Monday...

River valley fog formation occurred this morning in the
Greenbrier, upper James, and New River Valleys. This fog will
disperse by 0900 once daytime heating begins.

Weak ridging aloft will keep steering flow weak today. The
center of the surface high was over GA/AL with light westerly
flow around the northern periphery. Moisture increasing from the
TN valley will be advected into the west side of the
Appalachians today providing for more cloud elements as compared
to yesterday. This increasing moisture will bubble into
scattered deep convection this afternoon with highest pops along
and west of I-77. Westerly steering winds will allow any
activity that develops to move east reaching the foothills and
piedmont this evening, although less confident of coverage and
leading to lower probabilities there.

Temperatures today are forecast to be a degree warmer than
yesterday. It was +19 deg C at 850MB yest evening, and forecast
around +20 deg C today. This should yield surface highs in the
lower 90s east of the Blue Ridge and 80s in the mountains.

Loss of diurnal heating will bring demise to daytime boundary
layer driven deep convection with temperatures tonight settling
back to around 70. May begin to see flickers of so called heat
lightning (from distant thunderstorms) as an upper trof allows
for nocturnal thunderstorms across the Ohio Valley.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 345 AM EDT Monday...

Mainly zonal upper flow expected to prevail as a series of weak
short wave trofs move from west to east through the Blacksburg
forecast area Tuesday through Wednesday night. Timing of each wave
is somewhat problematic since features will be compounded by daily
upstream convective activity over portions of the MS and TN valleys
and associated introduction of new mesoscale vorticity centers and
associated weak forcing.

Result in Blacksburg area of concern will be a continuation of
diurnally driven scattered showers/thunderstorms maximized during
the afternoon and evening hours - especially over the western
mountains where local upsloping and differential heating will
support slightly enhanced upward vertical motion fields.

Slight uptick in convective potential expected by Wednesday
afternoon into Wednesday night when a more defined short wave trof
expected to move east through the area - providing better dynamic
forcing than the preceding day (Tuesday).  Forecast soundings do not
indicate sufficient instability or shear to support anything other
than an isolated severe weather threat on Tuesday; however, slowly
increasing low level winds in advance of the approaching wave may
support a scattered severe weather threat for mainly damaging
straight-line winds Wednesday afternoon/evening, especially
along/north of Highway 460, where the better low level shear
forecast to reside.

Passage of short wave trof Wednesday night and perhaps a period of
weak subsidence and increasing capping inversion may limit amount of
any additional convective activity on Thursday, but timing
uncertainties this far out, and the hint of yet another upstream
wave trying to encroach on at least the extreme western portion of
the forecast area by late in the day warrants maintaining at least a
low threat area wide.

Little change in airmass expected throughout the entire short term
period.  Daytime highs expected to remain generally in the 70s
across the highest elevations to lower 90s across the Piedmont -
with 60s in the mountains to around/near 70 east at night.

Forecast confidence is high for temperature ranges through the
forecast period, and moderate for timing and extent of daily
convective activity.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 215 PM EDT Sunday...

For the weekend, models bring an upper level trough and a cold
front over the area Saturday. This trough is expected to become
a closed low by Sunday. The GFS has this low over the Ohio
Valley, whereas the ECM centers it over the Midwest. The ECM
solution is the wettest, tapping into Gulf moisture, allowing
for several days of rain going into early next week (mid
August). The GFS has rain as well, but not continuous, as dry
air gets wrap into the low over time.

Temperatures will be near normal Friday, then a few degrees
cooler than normal over the weekend. Overnight lows will remain
muggy and in the 60s.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 130 PM EDT Monday...

Generally VFR through the 24 hour TAF period, with the following
two exceptions...

Daytime heating and cloud buildups over the mountains will
result in widely scattered SHRA/TSRA from 18Z/2PM-00Z/8PM.

Development of mountain/river valley fog between 06Z/2AM-
daybreak along the rivers with high probability of LIFR at KLWB
and KBCB. Elsewhere fog expected to be patchy ground fog.

Winds through the period generally light and variable except for
outflow near shra/tsra.

Extended...

Summer pattern will feature mainly VFR. Any sub-VFR will be
associated with scattered mainly afternoon and evening shra/tsra
and development of early morning fog/stratus in the mountain
valleys...all of which are temporary.

Best coverage of storms will occur mid-week (Wednesday)
associated with an upper level trof and weak surface cold front.
The fog/stratus should be limited to pre-dawn hours and
confined mainly to the mountain river valleys with impacts to
KBCB/KLWB.

&&

.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...None.
NC...None.
WV...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...PM
NEAR TERM...PM/RCS
SHORT TERM...WERT
LONG TERM...RCS
AVIATION...RCS
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 6, 4:39 AM EDT, 9 hours 31 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
439 AM EDT Mon Aug 6 2018

VAZ007-010>014-016>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-WVZ042>044-
507-508-070845-
Tazewell-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Carroll-Floyd-Craig-
Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-
Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-
Halifax-Charlotte-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier-
Western Greenbrier-
439 AM EDT Mon Aug 6 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, south
central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and
southeast West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

A weather disturbance is expected to move east through the area on
Wednesday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to
develop in advance of this system. Some of the strongest storms may
produce locally damaging winds. The greatest potential for severe
weather on Wednesday will be during the afternoon and evening hours,
mainly along and north of Highway 460.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ009-015-070845-
Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes-
Yadkin-Smyth-Grayson-
439 AM EDT Mon Aug 6 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina,
northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

Wert

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 6, 1:12 PM EDT, 58 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
112 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018

NCZ002-VAZ015-016-061745-
Alleghany-Grayson-Carroll-
112 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
NORTHEASTERN ALLEGHANY COUNTY IN NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
SOUTHWESTERN CARROLL AND EASTERN GRAYSON COUNTIES IN SOUTHWESTERN
VIRGINIA AND THE CITY OF GALAX...

Until 145 PM EDT.

At 111 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Elk Creek,
moving east at 15 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Galax...
Independence...
Fries...
Ennice...
and Bridle Creek.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

LAT...LON 3664 8131 3675 8129 3675 8086 3645 8098
TIME...MOT...LOC 1711Z 282DEG 12KT 3667 8117

JR
Special weather statement, Aug 6, 1:17 PM EDT, 53 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
117 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018

NCZ002-003-019-061815-
Surry-Wilkes-Alleghany-
117 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
CENTRAL ALLEGHANY...WESTERN SURRY AND NORTHEASTERN WILKES COUNTIES IN
NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...

Until 215 PM EDT.

At 117 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Stone Mountain
State Park, moving east at 15 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Elkin...
Fairview...
Sparta...
Dobson...
and Traphill.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

LAT...LON 3629 8125 3655 8114 3645 8098 3651 8096
      3646 8061 3626 8068 3627 8073 3628 8074
      3626 8075 3627 8078 3626 8078 3625 8080
      3625 8084
TIME...MOT...LOC 1717Z 256DEG 12KT 3637 8107

JR
Special weather statement, Aug 6, 1:31 PM EDT, 39 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
131 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018

NCZ019-061800-
Wilkes-
131 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
SOUTHWESTERN WILKES COUNTY...

Until 200 PM EDT.

At 131 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Elkville,
moving southeast at 10 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Maple Springs...
Darby...
and Elkville.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

LAT...LON 3604 8140 3605 8139 3607 8141 3608 8143
      3607 8144 3609 8146 3609 8147 3610 8148
      3610 8151 3611 8153 3619 8138 3604 8137
TIME...MOT...LOC 1731Z 320DEG 7KT 3609 8141

JR
Special weather statement, Aug 6, 2:10 PM EDT, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
210 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018

NCZ001-019-061900-
Ashe-Wilkes-
210 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
CENTRAL WILKES AND SOUTHEASTERN ASHE COUNTIES...

Until 300 PM EDT.

At 210 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Mc Grady,
moving southeast at 10 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
North Wilkesboro...
Wilkesboro...
Laurel Springs...
Wilbar...
and Mc Grady.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 3608 8115 3628 8141 3643 8128 3642 8126
      3641 8127 3641 8126 3640 8127 3639 8125
      3638 8124 3637 8125 3636 8125 3640 8120
      3630 8096
TIME...MOT...LOC 1810Z 305DEG 9KT 3632 8128

Loconto

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 6, 1:12 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKGrayson, City of Galax33 min
Aug 6, 3:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKPulaski, City of Radford55 min
Aug 6, 3:21 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKPatrick39 min
Aug 6, 3:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKGiles46 min
Aug 6, 3:46 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKFloyd44 min
Aug 6, 3:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKFloyd, Franklin, Patrick67 min
Aug 6, 4:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSmyth40 min
Aug 6, 4:57 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAlleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Roanoke, City of Covington, City of Roanoke and 1 more63 min
Aug 6, 5:00 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKFranklin60 min
Aug 6, 5:50 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCity of Danville55 min
Aug 6, 7:42 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBland48 min
Aug 5, 8:30 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKSurry64 min
Aug 5, 10:18 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCaldwell27 min
Aug 6, 1:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAlleghany, Surry58 min
Aug 6, 1:24 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany, Surry, Wilkes66 min
Aug 6, 1:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCaldwell29 min
Aug 6, 2:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKSurry49 min
Aug 6, 2:42 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKSurry67 min
Aug 6, 2:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAshe53 min
Aug 6, 3:02 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKWilkes, Yadkin41 min
Aug 6, 3:11 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKWatauga49 min
Aug 6, 3:15 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKWatauga2 hr
Aug 6, 4:06 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKStokes39 min
Aug 6, 4:37 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSummers38 min
Aug 6, 5:18 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKMercer, Summers117 min
Aug 6, 7:58 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSummers47 min

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in North Carolina, 2018Every special weather statement in 2018

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.