Alert archive / Virginia / Special Weather Statements in 2020

Special Weather Statement, NWS Blacksburg, VA

May 28, 2020Pulaski County, Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this special weather statement at May 28, 2020, 5:48 PM EDT for Pulaski County, 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 outline as issued.

The facts

Issued: May 28, 2020, 5:48 PM EDT (21:48 UTC)
Expired: May 28, 2020, 6:15 PM EDT
In force: 27 min
Issued by: NWS Blacksburg, VA

County Pulaski County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 52 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:49 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, 9.8 hours before the alert went out and 142 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: 639 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 44 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 69 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 May 28, 2:20 PM EDT, 3 hours 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 28, 2:20 PM EDT, 3 hours 28 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
220 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
High pressure with southerly flow keeps a threat of scattered
showers and storms around in the afternoon and evening both
today and Friday. With such a humid airmass in place, foggy
conditions will develop overnight into early Friday morning. A
cold front enters the area by late Friday, exiting early
Saturday. Cooler and less humid air arrives with high pressure
Sunday into Monday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Thursday...

Clearing has finally accelerated early this afternoon as a
muggy airmass settles into the region. We are finally starting
to see our first boundary that will help kick start isolated
showers and thunderstorms stretching from Greenbrier down
through the Mountain Empire. This boundary will gradually
progress eastward with potentially more diurnally influenced
convection possible in other areas (most likely along the Blue
Ridge). It remains unclear exactly how widespread storms will
get this afternoon with CAMs remaining diverse in amounts.
Becuase of this, have stuck with widesprad low POPs.

Regardless of the amount of showers and storms this afternoon,
the loss of heating this evening will start the drop in POPs
through midnight. After which, fog will start to develop,
especially in the valleys and in areas where it will rain this
evening. Outside of the fog, the notable part of the overnight
forecast will be how soupy it will feel with lows in the
60s/70s and dewpoints not much lower than that.

Healthy SW flow will start to mix low clouds out after sunrise
tomorrow, continuing to usher in a warm, humid airmass.
Already, most models point to a pretty good line of showers and
storms developing generally along the Blue Ridge by early
afternoon before becoming more widespread and moving eastward.
Tomorrow will end with a front knocking on the west's door.

&&

.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
As of 200 PM EDT Thursday...

Surface cold front will cross the forecast area Friday night
bringing a transition in airmass. Showers may linger inter early
Saturday, but the overall trend is for drying this weekend with High
pressure building into the area from the northwest. Sunday is
expected to be the clearest day with sunny skies and much lower
dewpoints.

Will continue to entertain scattered showers and thunderstorms
Friday night, and a few lingering showers Saturday, but will go
completely dry across the entire forecast area for the remainder of
the weekend...Saturday night, Sunday, and Sunday night.

For the most part, near normal temperatures are expected this
weekend, Saturday being the warmest with highs 75 to 83, and Sunday
the coolest with highs 67 to 75.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Thursday...

An upper level ridge of high pressure is forecast to build over the
mid section of the country with troughing near both the West/East
coasts. This will promote northwest flow aloft for our region which
will initially start off dry on Monday but then get progressively
wetter as we transition into mid-week as a surface front drops into
the area from the north and stalls.  This front is expected to
become the focus for scattered showers and Thunderstorms for Tuesday
through Thursday.

The coolest day of the week is expected to be Monday with highs in
the 60s to lower 70s, then moderate into into the 80s by mid
week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Thursday...

A growing cumulus field this afternoon will produce some brief
moments of sub VFR conditions for most sites this afternoon.
With the growing cumulus field also comes some isolated to
scattered showers and storms. The opportunity for storms for
those along and west of the Blue Ridge will come later this
evening.

Convection will gradually diminish after sunset this evening.
Replacing the chance for rain will be developing fog/lower
clouds. Areas in and near valleys as well as where rain falls
this evening will experience the greatest fog.

With sunrise tomorrow, returning SW flow will help to try and
mix out fog. Late in the TAF forecast period, though not
reflected, showers and storms become possible again with
coverage starting generally near the Blue Ridge.

Extended Aviation Discussion...

Better setup Friday with sub- VFR likely in showers/storms.

A cold front comes through the area late Friday into early Saturday
bringing a more widespread chance of precipitation and MVFR or
lower flight conditions. Should see VFR Sunday-Monday as high
pressure dries things out. However, late night fog/low cigs may
occur given high moisture at the surface, especially along river
valleys/BCB/LWB.

&&

.EQUIPMENT...
As of 630 AM EDT Thursday...

BLF observations came back at 4am once power was restored.

&&

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

&&

SYNOPSIS...RR/WP
NEAR TERM...RR/WP
SHORT TERM...PM/RCS
LONG TERM...PM
AVIATION...RR/WP
EQUIPMENT...WP

Hazardous weather outlook, May 28, 2:35 PM EDT, 3 hours 13 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
235 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020

NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-
WVZ042>044-507-508-291845-
Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes-
Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-
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-
235 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected this evening. A few storms may
become strong enough to produce damaging winds and localized
flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected Friday afternoon. A few of
these may be severe. The main threats will be damaging winds and
localized flooding.

For Saturday through Monday, no hazardous weather is expected.

Thunderstorms will bring return for potential hazardous weather
by the middle of next week.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is possible Friday afternoon.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 28, 2:34 PM EDT, 3 hours 14 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
234 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020

VAZ007-009-010-012-015-281915-
Tazewell-Grayson-Bland-Wythe-Smyth-
234 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020

...AN AREA OF SHOWERS WILL AFFECT EASTERN SMYTH...EAST CENTRAL
TAZEWELL...SOUTHWESTERN BLAND...WESTERN WYTHE AND WESTERN GRAYSON
COUNTIES...

At 234 PM EDT, an area of showers was located over Troutdale, or
near Sugar Grove, moving northeast at 15 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this shower.

Locations impacted include...
Wytheville...
Rural Retreat...
Ceres...
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area...
Speedwell...
Sugar Grove...
and Burkes Garden.

This shower 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 3718 8133 3691 8104 3657 8139 3658 8152
      3669 8157
TIME...MOT...LOC 1834Z 229DEG 15KT 3669 8145

VFJ

Special weather statement, May 28, 3:07 PM EDT, 2 hours 41 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
307 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020

VAZ010>013-WVZ042-281945-
Giles-Pulaski-Bland-Wythe-Mercer-
307 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
NORTHWESTERN PULASKI...SOUTHWESTERN GILES...BLAND...NORTHERN WYTHE
AND SOUTHEASTERN MERCER COUNTIES...

At 307 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Favonia, or
near Wytheville, moving northeast at 30 mph.

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

Locations impacted include...
Pulaski...
Wytheville...
Bland...
Dublin...
Max Meadows...
Rocky Gap...
and Bastian.

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 3688 8120 3699 8129 3742 8096 3709 8062
      3690 8102
TIME...MOT...LOC 1907Z 230DEG 24KT 3698 8118

VFJ

Special weather statement, May 28, 3:59 PM EDT, 1 hour 49 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
359 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020

VAZ011-018-WVZ044-282030-
Giles-Craig-Monroe-
359 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
NORTHEASTERN GILES...WEST CENTRAL CRAIG AND CENTRAL MONROE
COUNTIES...

At 359 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Kimballton, or
near Pembroke, moving northeast at 20 mph.

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

Locations impacted include...
Pearisburg...
Pembroke...
Peterstown...
Union...
Mountain Lake...
Rich Creek...
and Laurel Branch.

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 3729 8067 3736 8083 3767 8059 3744 8026
TIME...MOT...LOC 1959Z 223DEG 19KT 3736 8069

VFJ

Local storm report, May 28, 4:46 PM EDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
446 PM EDT THU MAY 28 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0327 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 SSE RURAL RETREAT     36.87N 81.25W
05/28/2020                   WYTHE              VA   911 CALL CENTER

            TREE DOWN NEAR ETTER ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED
            FROM RADAR.

&&

AMS

Special weather statement, May 28, 5:10 PM EDT, 38 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
510 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020

VAZ010-012-282145-
Bland-Wythe-
510 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020

...A SHOWER WILL AFFECT
SOUTHEASTERN BLAND AND CENTRAL WYTHE COUNTIES...

At 510 PM EDT, a shower was located near Wytheville, moving northeast
at 15 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this shower.

Locations impacted include...
Wytheville...
Max Meadows...
Long Spur...
Fort Chiswell...
Grahams Forge...
Gunton Park...
and Coleman Store.

This shower 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 3716 8103 3708 8091 3703 8089 3694 8080
      3693 8082 3685 8108 3691 8121
TIME...MOT...LOC 2110Z 225DEG 13KT 3690 8111

VFJ

Special weather statement, May 28, 5:48 PM EDT, 0 minutes before

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The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 27, 11:32 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Carroll, Grayson, Patrick	6 hr
May 28, 3:35 AM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Tazewell	9 hr
May 28, 5:19 AM EDT	River Flood Warning	RNK	Pulaski, Wythe	35 hr
May 28, 7:42 AM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Bland, Giles	8 hr
May 28, 9:07 AM EDT	River Flood Warning	RNK	Montgomery, Pulaski, City of Radford	24 hr
May 28, 2:20 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Wythe	8 hr
May 28, 2:24 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Bland	36 min
May 28, 2:34 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Wythe	41 min
May 28, 3:07 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Bland, Pulaski, Wythe	38 min
May 28, 3:30 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Bland, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Wythe	38 min
May 28, 3:45 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Bland, Giles, Pulaski	6 hr
May 28, 3:59 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Giles	31 min
May 28, 5:10 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Wythe	35 min
May 28, 5:46 PM EDT	River Flood Warning	RNK	Giles	22 hr
May 28, 7:32 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Tazewell	43 min
May 28, 7:41 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Henry, Pittsylvania, City of Danville, City of Martinsville	49 min
May 27, 9:22 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga, Wilkes	3 hr
May 28, 12:15 AM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Alleghany, Ashe, Wilkes	5 hr
May 28, 2:34 AM EDT	River Flood Warning	RNK	Surry, Yadkin	9 hr
May 28, 6:05 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Caswell	40 min
May 28, 7:02 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Caswell	43 min
May 28, 7:19 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Rockingham	41 min
May 28, 11:06 AM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Mercer	8 hr
May 28, 6:57 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Mercer	4 hr

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in Virginia, 2020 Every special weather statement 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.