Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2018

Tornado Warning 4, NWS Blacksburg, VA

April 15, 2018Pittsylvania County, City of Danville, Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Apr 15, 2018, 5:45 PM EDT for Pittsylvania County, City of Danville, Virginia. It was in force for 45 min. 15 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Apr 15, 2018, 5:45 PM EDT (21:45 UTC)
Expired: Apr 15, 2018, 6:30 PM EDT
In force: 45 min
Issued by: NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 1.0 in

Counties City of Danville, VA, Pittsylvania County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 78 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:46 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.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Apr 15, 5:54 PM EDT	TORNADO	4 Wsw Danville City, VA	TORNADO WITH EF1 DAMAGE ALONG A NEARLY CONTINUOUS PATH OF 12.0 MILES FROM 4 MILES SW OF DANVILLE CITY TO 2 MILES SW OF DRY FORK VA, PASSING THROUGH THE WEST SIDE OF THE CITY OF DANVILLE. BEGINNING LAT/LON 36.556/-79.485 - ENDING LAT/LON 36.731/-79.422. NUMEROU
Apr 15, 5:55 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Danville City, VA	NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED OFF AND DOWN ACROSS THE ROAD NEAR WESTOVER DRIVE AND CHURCH AVE. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
Apr 15, 5:56 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 Wsw Danville City, VA	POSSIBLE TORNADO. NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. DAMAGE TO STRUCTURES.
Apr 15, 5:57 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 W Danville City, VA	A LARGE TREE WAS BLOWN DOWN ALONG BEECHTREE COURT BY THUNDERSTORM WINDS.
Apr 15, 5:57 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 Wnw Danville City, VA	12 TO 14 TREES DOWN. POSSIBLE TORNADO.
Apr 15, 5:57 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	4 W Danville City, VA	TREES DOWN. POSSIBLE TORNADO. BETWEEN WESTOVER DRIVE AND RIVERSIDE DRIVE.
Apr 15, 5:57 PM EDT	NON-TSTM WND DMG	3 Wnw Danville City, VA	12 TO 14 TREES DOWN. POSSIBLE TORNADO.
Apr 15, 5:58 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 Wnw Danville City, VA	THUNDERSTORM WINDS BLEW DOWN THE SIGN OF A BUSINESS AND DAMAGED THE ROOF OF A HOME ALONG HIGHWAY 58. SEVERAL TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN AS WELL.
Apr 15, 6:00 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Chatham, VA	EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE TO HOMES IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN THE COUNTY INCLUDING RIVERBEND, MT. HERMON AND GRETNA AREAS. TIME IS ESTIMATED FROM RADAR BUT WILL VARY ACROSS THE COUNTY.
Apr 15, 6:00 PM EDT	TORNADO	4 Wsw Danville City, VA	EMERGENCY MANAGER CONFIRMS A TORNADO SKIPPED THROUGH A PATH ACROSS PITTSYLVANIA AND THE CITY OF DANVILLE RESULTING IN CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO 38 STRUCTURES, SEVERAL OF WHICH WERE DESTROYED. AT LEAST 17 OF THE DAMAGED STRUCTURES WERE IN THE OLD MAYFIELD ROAD ARE
Apr 15, 6:02 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Wnw Danville City, VA	MULTIPLE TREES DOWN AND POWER POLES SNAPPED AT 1948 BLAIR LOOP RD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
Apr 15, 6:13 PM EDT	TSTM WND GST 55	4 Nw Milton, VA	TREES SNAPPED AND UPROOTED
Apr 15, 6:15 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Ne Blairs, VA	TREES DOWN. POSSIBLE TORNADO
Apr 15, 6:15 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Chatham, VA	TREE DOWN ON POWER LINES NEAR WOODLAWN HEIGHTS RD. TIME ESTIMATE BY RADAR.
Apr 15, 6:18 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Ene Chatham, VA	TREES DOWNED ON HALIFAX ROAD.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Apr 15, 3:02 PM EDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 9.8 hours before the alert went out and 47 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: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL: 881 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 143 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 148 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

118 
WFUS51 KRNK 152145
TORRNK
VAC143-590-152230-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0004.180415T2145Z-180415T2230Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
545 PM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

The National Weather Service in BLACKSBURG has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  The City of Danville in south central Virginia...
  Pittsylvania County in south central Virginia...

* Until 630 PM EDT
    
* At 545 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Ruffin, moving northeast at 50 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail. This storm has a history 
           of producing a tornado in Guliford County, North Carolina.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. 

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely. 

* Locations impacted include...
  Danville...
  Chatham...
  Blairs...
  Callands...
  and Mt Airy.

This includes The following Location Danville Airport.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of hail of any
size, as well as reports of any wind damage, including downed trees
or large limbs, to the National Weather Service by calling toll free
at 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. Reports and pictures can also be
shared on the National Weather Service Blacksburg Facebook page and
on Twitter.

&&

LAT...LON 3694 7962 3693 7912 3654 7922 3654 7971
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 205DEG 44KT 3645 7957 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

PW

4 follow-up statements

696 
WWUS51 KRNK 152155
SVSRNK

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
555 PM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

VAC143-590-152230-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-180415T2230Z/
City of Danville VA-Pittsylvania VA-
555 PM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM EDT FOR 
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY AND THE CITY OF DANVILLE...
        
At 554 PM EDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Mayfield, moving
northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail. Damage was reported 
         by emergency managers in Rockingham County, North Carolina.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely. 

Locations impacted include...
Danville...
Chatham...
Blairs...
Callands...
and Mt Airy.

This includes The following Location Danville Airport.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of hail of any
size, as well as reports of any wind damage, including downed trees
or large limbs, to the National Weather Service by calling toll free
at 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. Reports and pictures can also be
shared on the National Weather Service Blacksburg Facebook page and
on Twitter.

&&

LAT...LON 3694 7962 3693 7912 3654 7922 3654 7971
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 205DEG 44KT 3655 7951 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

PW

157 
WWUS51 KRNK 152206
SVSRNK

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
606 PM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

VAC143-590-152230-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-180415T2230Z/
City of Danville VA-Pittsylvania VA-
606 PM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM EDT FOR 
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY AND THE CITY OF DANVILLE...
        
At 606 PM EDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Blairs, moving
northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail. 

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely. 

Locations impacted include...
Danville...
Chatham...
Blairs...
Callands...
and Mt Airy.

This includes The following Location Danville Airport.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of hail of any
size, as well as reports of any wind damage, including downed trees
or large limbs, to the National Weather Service by calling toll free
at 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. Reports and pictures can also be
shared on the National Weather Service Blacksburg Facebook page and
on Twitter.

&&

LAT...LON 3694 7962 3693 7912 3654 7922 3654 7934
      3659 7948 3664 7969
TIME...MOT...LOC 2206Z 205DEG 44KT 3669 7943 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

PW

748 
WWUS51 KRNK 152217
SVSRNK

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
617 PM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

VAC590-152226-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-180415T2230Z/
City of Danville VA-
617 PM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR 
THE CITY OF DANVILLE IS CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A tornado watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for north central
North Carolina...and south central, central and west central
Virginia.

When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of hail of any
size, as well as reports of any wind damage, including downed trees
or large limbs, to the National Weather Service by calling toll free
at 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. Reports and pictures can also be
shared on the National Weather Service Blacksburg Facebook page and
on Twitter.

LAT...LON 3654 7926 3671 7938 3678 7956 3694 7952
      3693 7912 3654 7922
TIME...MOT...LOC 2216Z 205DEG 44KT 3681 7936 

$$

VAC143-152230-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-180415T2230Z/
Pittsylvania VA-
617 PM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM EDT FOR 
CENTRAL PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY...
        
At 616 PM EDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Chatham, moving
northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely. 

Locations impacted include...
Chatham...
Mt Airy...
Java...
Dry Fork...
and Climax.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of hail of any
size, as well as reports of any wind damage, including downed trees
or large limbs, to the National Weather Service by calling toll free
at 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. Reports and pictures can also be
shared on the National Weather Service Blacksburg Facebook page and
on Twitter.

&&

LAT...LON 3654 7926 3671 7938 3678 7956 3694 7952
      3693 7912 3654 7922
TIME...MOT...LOC 2216Z 205DEG 44KT 3681 7936 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

PW

326 
WWUS51 KRNK 152230
SVSRNK

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
630 PM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

VAC143-152240-
/O.EXP.KRNK.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-180415T2230Z/
Pittsylvania VA-
630 PM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR 
CENTRAL PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY HAS EXPIRED...
        
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore the warning has been allowed to expire.

A tornado watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for north central
North Carolina...and south central, central and west central
Virginia.

When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of hail of any
size, as well as reports of any wind damage, including downed trees
or large limbs, to the National Weather Service by calling toll free
at 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. Reports and pictures can also be
shared on the National Weather Service Blacksburg Facebook page and
on Twitter.

Remember, a Tornado Warning still remains in effect for northern 
Pittsylvania County until 715 PM.

LAT...LON 3654 7926 3671 7938 3678 7956 3694 7952
      3693 7912 3654 7922
TIME...MOT...LOC 2230Z 205DEG 44KT 3696 7927 

$$

PW

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 15, 3:57 AM EDT	Flash Flood Watch	RNK	Alleghany, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig and 21 more	20 hr
Apr 15, 1:07 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Grayson, Smyth	38 min
Apr 15, 1:36 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Grayson	69 min
Apr 15, 1:45 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Tazewell	30 min
Apr 15, 2:12 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Carroll, Patrick	63 min
Apr 15, 2:34 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Bland, Wythe	56 min
Apr 15, 2:41 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Pulaski, Wythe, City of Galax and 1 more	64 min
Apr 15, 2:48 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Carroll, Grayson, City of Galax	3 hr
Apr 15, 3:33 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Carroll, Floyd, Franklin, Patrick, Pulaski	57 min
Apr 15, 3:43 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Giles, Montgomery, City of Radford	62 min
Apr 15, 3:57 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Montgomery and 5 more	63 min
Apr 15, 4:08 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Floyd, Henry, Patrick, City of Martinsville	67 min
Apr 15, 4:17 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Carroll	3 hr
Apr 15, 4:37 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Floyd, Montgomery, Pulaski, City of Radford	3 hr
Apr 15, 5:12 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Bedford, Botetourt, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Patrick and 4 more	63 min
Apr 15, 6:04 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Charlotte, Halifax, City of Danville	56 min
Apr 15, 6:12 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Rockbridge, City of Buena Vista, City of Lexington	78 min
Apr 15, 6:23 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Bedford, Campbell, Pittsylvania	26 min
Apr 15, 6:47 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte and 3 more	88 min
Apr 15, 7:07 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, City of Lynchburg	38 min
Apr 15, 7:34 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Buckingham	26 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Virginia, 2018 Every tornado warning in 2018 Tornadoes 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.