Alert archive / Virginia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 5, NWS Wakefield, VA
NWS Wakefield, VA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jan 12, 2020, 1:18 AM EST for 9 counties in Virginia. It was in force for 27 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
- Jan 12, 2020, 1:18 AM EST (06:18 UTC)
- Expired
- Jan 12, 2020, 1:45 AM EST
- In force
- 27 min
- Issued by
- NWS Wakefield, VA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Amelia County, VA, Chesterfield County, VA, City of Colonial Heights, VA, City of Hopewell, VA, City of Petersburg, VA, Dinwiddie County, VA, Henrico County, VA, New Kent County, VA, Nottoway County, VA
The radar
The Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 57 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:17 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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 11, 11:25 PM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 4 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 00:00Z, 6.3 hours before the alert went out and 176 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 104 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -32 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 776 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 71 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 408 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 506 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.3
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Wakefield, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jan 12, 12:48 AM EST, 30 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 12, 12:48 AM EST, 30 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
1248 AM EST Sun Jan 12 2020
.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will cross the area this morning, then stall just
south of the area this afternoon through Monday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THIS MORNING/...
As of 1130 PM EST Saturday...
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued through 5 am for
portions of central/southern VA and interior NE NC. The primary
threat is damaging wind gusts.
Tremendous WAA continues this evening with a southerly wind of
15-20 mph (gusts to 30-35 mph) maintaining temperatures in the
mid 60s to near 70F (locally upper 50s/around 60F at the
immediate coast). Some light showers are approaching the
Piedmont from the S this evening, but the stronger activity
remains well to the W over the mountains associated with low
pressure and a cold front. Our area will remain solidly in the
warm sector ahead of the cold front with moist southerly flow
resulting in dew points in the low to mid 60s. Record temps this
afternoon (RER's have been issued and records are updated in the
climate section below) will remain warm overnight not dropping
out of the 60's thanks to the high dew points and wind.
The southerly wind will remain gusty through the night, 20-30
mph with occasional gusts near 40 mph especially near the coast.
Showers and isolated thunderstorms will approach the area overnight,
likely after 06Z across the west and after 09Z across the east. The
question is...how much of a punch will this activity have left as it
crosses our area. As the evening goes on, much of the large-scale
forcing is going to be well to the north of our area. There will
however still be an impressive LL jet around 75 kts, and ML CAPE of
around 500 J/Kg. This has the potential to be a high shear/low cape
type of event. Overnight hi-res models were hinting that the better
forcing might outpace the remnant precip, but this morning's model
runs have backed off that a bit but it will be worth watching
overnight. SPC has updated to slight risk for the Piedmont and
central VA and marginal risk to the east, and this seems
appropriate because if conditions line up, there could certainly
be a few strong to damaging wind gusts with any convective
showers/thunderstorms.
QPF overnight through 12Z Sunday will be generally a tenth to
quarter inch, however with PWAT values likely increasing to 1.5-1.75
inches overnight, showers will be efficient rainfall producers, so
there will be locally higher amounts. This initial rainfall will be
moving through the area quickly enough that flooding does not appear
to be a concern at this time.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM THIS MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 300 PM EST Saturday...
The cold front is forecast to cross the Hampton roads area after 12Z
on Sunday, and then stall somewhere near NE NC. Depending on where
exactly the front stalls out will have significant implications for
precip and temperatures over the coming days. The cooler air lags
far enough behind the cold front on Sunday that temps will still be
mild across the entire area, with mid 60s to lower 70s expected.
Chance showers will be confined to mainly NE NC closest to the front
by Sunday afternoon and evening, with slight chance pops over SE VA.
Monday mornings low temps will vary widely across the area with low
40s north in the drier and cooler air, to near 60 SE along the front
in the much warmer and more moist air.
The boundary will lift north on Monday placing more of the area into
the warm and moist environment. Additional showers and isolated
thunderstorms are expected. WPC has NE NC in a marginal risk for
excessive rain on Monday. Wouldn't be surprised if this area gets
nudged a bit further north into SE VA, as latest guidance has come
in with the heavier precip a bit further north for Monday. With
forecast PWAT values over this area increasing to about 1.75 inches
on Monday, it is not out of the question that there could be some
isolated flooding issues in urban areas, especially if there is any
training of storms. High temps on Monday range from the upper 50s
north to near 70 across NE NC.
On Tuesday the boundary will continue to lift a bit further north
and bring the chance of rain to the entire forecast area. Afternoon
highs will continue to be above normal with mid 50s north to mid and
upper 60s SE.
Determining overall rainfall numbers from Sunday through Tuesday
will be highly dependent on where the boundary ends up setting up
each day. There is however, higher confidence across southern
portions of the area. Currently looking at rainfall totals of about
a half inch up north from Salisbury to Louisa, to 1.5-1.75 inches
across southern VA and NE NC.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 400 PM EST Saturday...
The large scale pattern from Tue night into Thu will generally
be zonal across the region. A weakening frontal boundary will be
across the Carolinas Tue night through Wed, then a cold front
will approach from the west Wed night and push off the coast Thu
aftn. Slight to sml chance of showers early Tue night, then
increasing chances for showers again late Wed/Wed night.
Dry weather expected Thu aftn thru Fri, as sfc high pressure
builds down into and over the region. The center of the high
will slide off the srn New England coast late Fri night into Sat
morning, as another cold front pushes into the OH/TN valleys.
At this time, it looks like the threat for appreciable wintry
pcpn remains to the N of the CWA. Although, for now, will
mention the chance for rain/snow over W/NW counties Fri night,
due to a warm front over the region and temps near freezing in
these areas. Chance of rain or rain showers everywhere later Sat
morning into Sat evening, as the cold front pushes into and
across the region.
Highs will range from the upper 50s to upper 60s Wed, mid 50s to
mid 60s Thu, lower 40s to lower 50s Fri, and in the upper 40s to
mid 50s Sat. Lows in the mid 40s to mid 50s Tue night and Wed
night, and mainly in the 30s Thu night and Fri night.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 1245 AM EST Sunday...
Pre-frontal line of shwrs now crossing the area and will continue
to move east over the next 3-6 hrs. Narrow line of shwrs producing
wind gusts over 40 kts across the Piedmont will move over the
RIC area next 1-2 hrs then track east and may weaken a bit as
the move closer to the coast btwn 08-12Z. Mainly MVFR CIGS are
being reported but VSBYS will drop aob 1SM in lclly hvy downpours.
South (gradient) winds ahead of this line will continue to gust
to btwn 30-40 KTS through the per-dawn hrs with LLWS upwards of
50 kts arnd 2K FT. Given lack of any lightning as this line apprchs,
did not add thunder to the grids.
The front stalls across NC later today. Clearing expected at both
RIC/SBY but bkn mid/high level clouds will linger across the sern
TAF sites. The gusty winds quickly diminish after 18Z.
OUTLOOK...
Weak high pressure builds N of the region tonight with VFR conditions.
Chc shwrs will continue for ORF/ECG near the stalled frontal bndry.
The front will lift back N Monday into Tuesday with a chc of rain
and degraded flight conditions for much of the area. The potential
for showers diminishes some Wednesday, then a cold front will bring
another chc of showers Wednesday night/Thursday.
&&
.MARINE...
As of 245 PM EST Saturday...
Tightening pressure gradient ahead of an approaching cold front will
result in gusty winds for the remainder of this afternoon into
tonight. SCAs already in effect for most of the marine area and Gale
Warnings north of Cape Charles will begin at 7 pm. The front will
take until 7-10 am Sunday to pass over the waters with winds
remaining from the SSW 15-30 kt until then. Gusts up to 40 kt will
be found on the coastal waters north of Cape Charles. In addition, a
line of showers and/or t-storms will cross the waters between 09Z-
15Z Sun, which may bring locally higher wind gusts and may require
the issuance of Special Marine Warnings. Seas build to between 5-9
feet with waves in the Bay 3-5 feet. We will also have to watch for
some fog developing over the waters tonight. Given the very warm air
over the waters, the potential is there for patchy dense fog.
However, think that the gusty winds (good mixing) will preclude
widespread dense fog overnight and therefore will hold off on a
marine dense fog advisory until seeing how things play out by later
this evening.
Winds subside below gale/SCA by midday Sunday as the front exits the
area. Seas remain above 5 feet through late in the day Sunday,
perhaps into Sunday evening. Calmer conditions/sub-SCA are expected
into the middle of next week.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
As of 245 PM EST Saturday...
S-SW flow through the weekend will exaggerate the already normally
low astronomical tides. Appears portions of the the lower Chesapeake
Bay and coastal waters will see blowout tides for the early Sunday
morning low tide cycle. Therefore, have issued low water advisories
for water levels dropping to -1 to -1.5 ft MLLW tonight.
&&
.CLIMATE...
Unseasonably warm weather is expected this weekend. New record
highs were established 1/11/20 for ORF/SBY/ECG and tied at RIC.
Record High Temperatures
1/11 (Sat) 1/12 (Sun)
New (Previous)
RIC 72 (72/1975) 71/2005
ORF 76 (75/1974) 75/1890
SBY 72 (69/2014) 67/2018
ECG 76 (75/1974) 70/2005
Record High Low Temperatures
1/11 (Sat) 1/12 (Sun)
RIC 58/1975 59/2018
ORF 61/1975 59/2018
SBY 57/1975 58/2018
ECG 60/2008 56/2013
&&
.AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...None.
NC...None.
VA...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM EST this morning for
ANZ630>638.
Low Water Advisory until 7 AM EST this morning for ANZ632-634-
650-652-654-656-658.
Gale Warning until 10 AM EST this morning for ANZ650-652-654.
Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM EST this evening for ANZ656-
658.
&&
SYNOPSIS...MPR
NEAR TERM...AJZ/CMF
SHORT TERM...CMF
LONG TERM...TMG
AVIATION...MPR
MARINE...JDM
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...AKQHazardous weather outlook, Jan 11, 11:29 PM EST, 1 hour 49 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wakefield VA 1129 PM EST Sat Jan 11 2020 NCZ012>016-030>032-VAZ048-060>062-064>069-079>083-087>090-092-093- 096-097-509>522-130430- Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Bertie-Chowan- Perquimans-Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline- Mecklenburg-Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Brunswick-Dinwiddie- Prince George-Charles City-New Kent-Greensville-Sussex-Surry- James City-Southampton-Isle of Wight-Suffolk-Chesapeake- Western Louisa-Eastern Louisa-Western Hanover-Eastern Hanover- Western Chesterfield-Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights)- Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond)-Eastern Henrico- Western King William-Eastern King William-Western King and Queen- Eastern King and Queen-Western Essex-Eastern Essex- 1129 PM EST Sat Jan 11 2020 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 20 IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast North Carolina, central Virginia, east central Virginia, north central Virginia, south central Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. MDZ021>025-NCZ017-102-VAZ075>078-084>086-095-098>100-523>525-130430- Dorchester-Wicomico-Somerset-Inland Worcester-Maryland Beaches- Western Currituck-Eastern Currituck-Westmoreland-Richmond- Northumberland-Lancaster-Gloucester-Middlesex-Mathews- Norfolk/Portsmouth-Virginia Beach-Accomack-Northampton-York- Newport News-Hampton/Poquoson- 1129 PM EST Sat Jan 11 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, northeast North Carolina, east central Virginia, eastern Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jan 12, 12:25 AM EST, 53 minutes before
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Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
115 AM EST Sun Jan 12 2020
NCZ012>014-VAZ080-087-088-092-120715-
Hertford-Northampton-Gates-Dinwiddie-Sussex-Southampton-Greensville-
115 AM EST Sun Jan 12 2020
...A LINE OF SHOWERS WITH HEAVY RAIN AND GUSTY WINDS WILL AFFECT
NORTHAMPTON... HERTFORD...NORTHWESTERN...GATES...GREENSVILLE...
SOUTHAMPTON...SUSSEX AND SOUTHEASTERN DINWIDDIE COUNTIES...THE CITY
OF FRANKLIN AND THE CITY OF EMPORIA...
At 112 AM EST, showers with heavy rain and gusty winds were located
along a line extending from 7 miles southeast of Dewitt to Roanoke
Rapids. Movement was east at 40 mph.
Wind gusts in excess of 40 mph are possible with these showers.
Locations impacted include...
Roanoke Rapids, Franklin, Emporia, Ahoskie, Murfreesboro, Courtland,
Garysburg, Rich Square, Wakefield, Boykins, Dahlia, Purdy, Chowan
University, Sussex, Gaston, Conway, Woodland, Winton, Jarratt and
Seaboard.
If you see lightning or hear thunder, you are at risk! Take shelter
indoors immediately. If you cannot find shelter in a building a
vehicle provides safety from lightning.
Strong wind gusts are possible with these showers. These wind gusts
are capable of knocking down tree limbs, small or weakened trees, and
blowing around trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture, and other
light outdoor objects.
LAT...LON 3632 7744 3631 7757 3641 7755 3645 7763
3648 7765 3648 7769 3702 7762 3702 7740
3699 7740 3702 7735 3701 7697 3694 7695
3697 7691 3674 7690 3670 7693 3662 7690
3656 7693 3655 7690 3627 7689 3627 7741
TIME...MOT...LOC 0612Z 263DEG 31KT 3694 7756 3645 7765
44The office that day
Everything else NWS Wakefield, VA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 11, 11:30 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | AKQ | Cumberland, Fluvanna, Louisa, Prince Edward | 45 min |
| Jan 11, 11:47 PM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | AKQ | Cumberland, Fluvanna, Goochland, Louisa | 43 min |
| Jan 11, 11:54 PM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | AKQ | Amelia, Cumberland, Goochland, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway and 2 more | 51 min |
| Jan 12, 12:34 AM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | AKQ | Amelia, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico and 3 more | 41 min |
| Jan 12, 12:37 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | AKQ | Caroline, Goochland, Louisa | 38 min |
| Jan 12, 12:43 AM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | AKQ | Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Lunenburg, Nottoway | 36 min |
| Jan 12, 12:49 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | AKQ | Brunswick, Greensville, City of Emporia | 26 min |
| Jan 12, 1:15 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | AKQ | Greensville, Southampton, Sussex, City of Emporia, City of Franklin | 60 min |
| Jan 12, 1:19 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | AKQ | Essex, King and Queen, King William, Richmond, Westmoreland | 41 min |
| Jan 12, 2:00 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | AKQ | Lancaster, Middlesex, Northumberland | 45 min |
| Jan 12, 2:23 AM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | AKQ | Bertie, Chowan | 52 min |
| Jan 12, 2:40 AM EST | Tornado Warning | AKQ | Bertie | 24 min |
| Jan 12, 2:59 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | AKQ | Camden, Pasquotank, Perquimans | 46 min |
| Jan 12, 2:23 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | AKQ | Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester | 67 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Virginia, 2020Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2020
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.