Alert archive / Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2020

Flash Flood Warning 31, NWS Baltimore/Washington

August 6, 2020Spotsylvania County, Virginia

NWS Baltimore/Washington issued this flash flood warning at Aug 6, 2020, 6:51 PM EDT for Spotsylvania County, Virginia. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 6, 2020, 6:51 PM EDT (22:51 UTC)
Expired
Aug 6, 2020, 9:34 PM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Baltimore/Washington
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Spotsylvania County, VA

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 89 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:56 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

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 88 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, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2020-08-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 182 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, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2020-08-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 48 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
182 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-149 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
750 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
48 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
70 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
-0.0
Supercell composite
-0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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 Baltimore/Washington wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Aug 6, 2:41 PM EDT, 4 hours 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 6, 2:41 PM EDT, 4 hours 10 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
241 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

.SYNOPSIS...

A frontal boundary will remain stalled near the region through
Friday. High pressure builds over our region this weekend before
shifting offshore early next week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...

Looking at surface obs this afternoon the stalled boundary looks to
be located near the I-95 corridor. This boundary is looks to shift
westward this afternoon but should remain mostly stalled over our
region. Mesoanalysis shows that an axis of higher PW's is located
east of the Blue Ridge Mountains with values above 1.9 inches and
above 1.7 east of the Allegany front. A few showers and
thunderstorms are currently on the radar but the coverage is
expected to increase through this evening. A combination of the
stalled boundary coupled with a shortwave moving through along with
with good placement of the upper level jet will lead to environment
conducive for scattered thunderstorms that have the potential to
become severe. The main threat this evening will be the threat for
heavy rain storms that have the potential to cause flash flooding
and longer fused flood warnings.

The 12Z HREF has come in with more widespread coverage with a signal
that areas in central Virginia especially east of I-81 and south of
the DC metro. There is significant signs that southern Maryland and
central Virginia will get a decent punch of rain and storms, but
there are hints of a threat for northern Virginia and possibly parts
of northern Virginia. A Flash Flood Watch has been issued to cover
this threat. Models have been showing that the threat for heavy rain
could continue into the early morning periods of Friday.

&&

.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...

The stationary boundary remains stalled over our region through
Friday. Multiple upper level shortwaves are expected to move through
our region with the main trough axis approaching from our west late
Friday through early Saturday. The continued presences of the
stalled boundary overhead along with multiple shortwaves and upper
level jet will lead to a continue threat for severe weather and
flash flooding. Both global and mesoscale models are showing an axis
of precipitation moving through areas along and east of the Blue
Ridge mountains. This area has already received a lot of rain from
the tropical storm and will received additional rainfall this
evening. The current Flash Flood Watch may need to be extended
through tomorrow afternoon but I will punt that off to evening shift
to make that decision. I again think that flooding threat will be
the bigger concern but I can't rule out a few severe storms on
Friday. The coverage of storms and showers should lessen by Friday
evening and into the overnight periods.

The trough axis shifts through and east of our region by Saturday
morning. A few lingers showers will be possible into early Saturday
but weak high pressure tries to start building over our region by
Saturday afternoon. Clearing skies and a weak easterly flow should
allow temps to rise up into the mid to upper 80s on Saturday with
lows in the 60s and lower 70s.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...

Sunday through Wednesday will see a gradual warming, as upper level
ridging very slowly builds into the region from the west. Our area
will be right on the outer periphery of the upper ridge, so there
will be a few week shortwave troughs through the middle of next week
that pass nearby. Meanwhile, surface high pressure will be overhead
Sunday, before moving offshore into the early portion of the week.

So, all that being said, think Sunday is the least active day in the
long term period, with only a few diurnally driven showers/storms
out over the higher elevations with the aid of the terrain
circulation. As high pressure moves offshore, heat and humidity will
gradually increase Monday through Wednesday, which will aid in
thunderstorm development each day. This is a return to the pattern
we saw for much of July, which favored thunderstorm formation off of
the river/bay breezes and the terrain circulations over the higher
elevations. While not anticipating any organized severe weather at
this time, can't rule out a few stronger storms each day, aided by
locally enhanced shear due to mesoscale boundaries.

In addition to showers and storms each day, heat and humidity will be
on the increase, which will start to lead to some higher heat
indices. Temperatures in the upper 80s to near 90 on Sunday will
then climb into the mid 90s by Wednesday. This, paired with dew
points rising into the mid 70s, could lead to some heat indices
returning to the triple digits, particularly Tuesday/Wednesday.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...

Showers and thunderstorms are expected at all terminals this evening
and through the overnight periods. Showers and storms should taper
off at all terminals after 8Z. Fog and low ceilings are likely for
most terminals overnight as winds become light and dew points temps
remain high. MVFR to IFR conditions are likely early Friday and
morning but VFR conditions should return by the middle parts of
Friday morning. Further showers and storms will be possible on
Friday but the coverage should become more isolated by Friday
evening.

MVFR to IFR conditions due to fog and low ceilings will be possible
Saturday morning for all terminals as ground remains moist and winds
are light. VFR conditions expected for the rest of the day
Saturday.

Generally dry on Sunday across the area with light winds, as high
pressure sits overhead. Low end chance for showers and storms on
Sunday afternoon in peak heating, primarily towards MRB. This could
lead to some brief restrictions, should one roll over the terminal,
but think storms will be widely scattered to isolated in nature with
high pressure overhead.

On Monday, thunderstorm chances begin to increase as a more warm and
humid air mass builds in with southerly flow returning to the
region. Winds will be light however. Conditions remain VFR
generally, outside of thunderstorms.

&&

.MARINE...

A weak boundary will remain stalled near the region through
Friday. Showers and thunderstorms will remain the main threat
for the marine areas. After Friday no small craft issues are
expected for Saturday.

High pressure overhead on Sunday will push offshore into Monday.
Winds will generally be light both days, with a southerly flow
developing into Monday. No long-fuse marine hazards expected during
this time. However, showers and storms are possible each day, but
especially on Monday afternoon and continuing into mid-week. These
could produce wind gusts that necessitate SMWs.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...

Advancing warm front plus very moist and warm (unstable) air
mass advecting north behind it plus shortwave energy aloft will
likely result in periods of heavy rain with passing
thunderstorms through this evening. Given antecedent
conditions, a flash flood watch through early Friday is
warranted for those locations which received significant rain
earlier this week and areas where CAMS guidance is suggesting
heavy rains are possible later today. As guidance is similarly
wet for Friday, the watch may need to be extended.

&&

.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for DCZ001.
MD...Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for MDZ003>006-011-013-
     014-016>018-503>508.
VA...Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for VAZ025>031-036>040-
     050>057-501-502-505>508.
WV...Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for WVZ051>053.
MARINE...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...JMG
NEAR TERM...JMG
SHORT TERM...JMG
LONG TERM...CJL
AVIATION...CJL/JMG
MARINE...CJL/JMG
HYDROLOGY...
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 6, 1:52 PM EDT, 4 hours 59 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
152 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ011-013-014-016>018-508-VAZ052>057-071000-
Chesapeake Bay north of Pooles Island MD-
Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD-
Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD-
Chesapeake Bay from North Beach to Drum Point MD-
Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA-
Tidal Potomac from Key Bridge to Indian Head MD-
Tidal Potomac from Indian Head to Cobb Island MD-
Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA-
Patapsco River including Baltimore Harbor-
Chester River to Queenstown MD-Eastern Bay-
Choptank River to Cambridge MD and the Little Choptank River-
Patuxent River to Broomes Island MD-
Tangier Sound and the inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth
Island-District of Columbia-Southern Baltimore-Prince Georges-
Anne Arundel-Charles-St. Marys-Calvert-Southeast Harford-
Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park-Fairfax-
Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria-Stafford-Spotsylvania-
King George-
152 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Maryland portion of the
Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and adjacent counties in
central Maryland and northern Virginia as well as the District of
Columbia.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect through tonight. Thunderstorms
may produce scattered instances of flash flooding.

Isolated severe thunderstorms are also possible through this
evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Scattered thunderstorms may produce isolated instances of
flooding Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Please report any wind damage or flooding to the National Weather
Service.

MDZ003>006-501>507-VAZ025>031-036>040-050-051-501>508-WVZ050>053-
055-501>506-071000-
Washington-Frederick MD-Carroll-Northern Baltimore-
Extreme Western Allegany-Central and Eastern Allegany-
Northwest Montgomery-Central and Southeast Montgomery-
Northwest Howard-Central and Southeast Howard-Northwest Harford-
Augusta-Rockingham-Shenandoah-Frederick VA-Page-Warren-Clarke-
Nelson-Albemarle-Greene-Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper-
Northern Fauquier-Southern Fauquier-Western Highland-
Eastern Highland-Western Loudoun-Eastern Loudoun-
Northern Virginia Blue Ridge-Central Virginia Blue Ridge-
Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-Jefferson-Hardy-Western Grant-
Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-Western Pendleton-
Eastern Pendleton-
152 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern West Virginia,
northern and central Virginia, and central and western Maryland
with the exception of Garrett County.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect through tonight for areas along
and east of Interstate 81. Thunderstorms may produce scattered
instances of flash flooding.

Isolated severe thunderstorms are also possible through this
evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Scattered thunderstorms may produce isolated instances of
flooding Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Please report any wind damage or flooding to the National Weather
Service.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 6, 5:28 PM EDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 6, 5:31 PM EDT, 1 hour 20 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 6, 5:33 PM EDT, 1 hour 18 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 6, 5:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 15 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 6, 5:41 PM EDT, 1 hour 10 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 6, 5:47 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Baltimore/Washington issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 5, 8:05 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXMadison, Page6 hr
Aug 5, 8:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXCulpeper, Madison, Rappahannock46 min
Aug 5, 8:56 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXCulpeper, Madison34 min
Aug 5, 10:05 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXRockingham2 hr
Aug 5, 10:51 PM EDTFlash Flood WatchLWXAlbemarle, Amherst, Arlington, Augusta, Clarke, Culpeper and 26 more25 hr
Aug 5, 11:30 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXAlbemarle, Greene, Madison, Rockingham, City of Harrisonburg4 hr
Aug 6, 1:20 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXAlbemarle4 hr
Aug 6, 4:04 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX86 min
Aug 6, 4:52 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX83 min
Aug 6, 5:20 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX58 min
Aug 6, 5:25 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX53 min
Aug 6, 5:34 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX44 min
Aug 6, 1:32 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX88 min
Aug 6, 2:34 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX78 min
Aug 6, 3:07 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX45 min
Aug 6, 3:43 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatLWXAugusta, City of Staunton4 hr
Aug 6, 3:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAugusta, Rockingham43 min
Aug 6, 4:09 PM EDTTornado WarningLWXAlbemarle, Augusta, Greene, Rockingham36 min
Aug 6, 4:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAugusta47 min
Aug 6, 4:24 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAlbemarle, Greene51 min
Aug 6, 4:34 PM EDTTornado WarningLWXAlbemarle26 min
Aug 6, 4:39 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXAlbemarle, Augusta, Greene, Rockingham, City of Staunton5 hr
Aug 6, 4:53 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXArlington, Fairfax, City of Alexandria109 min
Aug 6, 4:55 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAlbemarle, Greene, Madison, Orange, City of Charlottesville65 min
Aug 6, 4:59 PM EDTTornado WarningLWXAlbemarle, City of Charlottesville7 min
Aug 6, 5:08 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXAlbemarle, Greene, Orange, City of Charlottesville4 hr
Aug 6, 5:11 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX38 min
Aug 6, 5:25 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatLWXAlbemarle, City of Charlottesville2 hr
Aug 6, 5:28 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXOrange47 min
Aug 6, 6:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXSpotsylvania38 min
Aug 6, 7:01 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX72 min
Aug 6, 7:09 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXKing George, Spotsylvania, Stafford, City of Fredericksburg5 hr
Aug 6, 7:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXKing George45 min
Aug 6, 7:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXSpotsylvania26 min
Aug 6, 7:31 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXKing George30 min
Aug 6, 4:33 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAnne Arundel42 min
Aug 6, 5:25 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAnne Arundel17 min
Aug 6, 5:28 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXCalvert, Charles, Prince George's, Saint Mary's94 min
Aug 6, 5:30 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXBaltimore, City of Baltimore5 hr
Aug 6, 6:56 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningLWXSaint Mary's4 hr
Aug 6, 2:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXPendleton20 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Virginia, 2020Every flash flood 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.