Alert archive / Virginia / Special Weather Statements in 2021

Special Weather Statement, NWS Wakefield, VA

July 2, 2021City of Norfolk, City of Portsmouth, City of Virginia Beach, Virginia

NWS Wakefield, VA issued this special weather statement at Jul 2, 2021, 8:39 AM EDT for City of Norfolk, City of Portsmouth, City of Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was in force for 36 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
Jul 2, 2021, 8:39 AM EDT (12:39 UTC)
Expired
Jul 2, 2021, 9:15 AM EDT
In force
36 min
Issued by
NWS Wakefield, VA

Counties City of Norfolk, VA, City of Portsmouth, VA, City of Virginia Beach, VA

The radar

The Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:43 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

Wallops Is Stn, VA (KWAL), launched 12:00Z, 0.7 hours before the alert went out and 137 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, Wallops Is Stn, VA at 12:00Z on 2021-07-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 547 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, Wallops Is Stn, VA at 12:00Z on 2021-07-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 39 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
547 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
446 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
49 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
39 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
100 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
1.2

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 Wakefield, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this special weather statement went out at Jul 2, 6:59 AM EDT, 1 hour 40 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 2, 6:59 AM EDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
659 AM EDT Fri Jul 2 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
A trough of low pressure moves southeast across Virginia early
this morning. Low pressure and associated cold front will move
across the area today, bringing numerous showers and
thunderstorms with locally heavy downpours. High pressure builds
into the area from the northwest over the holiday weekend
through early next week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 655 AM EDT Friday...

Light to moderate rainfall continues over the northern 2/3rds
of the area early this morning. Deeper convection has been on
the wane this morning with remaining MLCAPE confined to the
southeastern third of the area. Temperatures range from the
upper 60s and low 70s over much of the area to the upper 70s
across the far SE where little if any rain has fallen so far
this morning. Skies are mostly cloudy across the area.

Deep upper trough centered near lake Erie will move slowly east
today, bringing falling heights aloft and continued forcing for
showers and storms this morning and today. The focus for the
heaviest precip and thunderstorms will shift to the SE quadrant of
the area this morning where precipitable water values are around 2".
WPC has included this area in a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall
with a Marginal Risk for the remainder of the region (except the far
NW). QPF ranges from a few hundredths NW to 1-1.25" for the Hampton
Roads area into NE NC, with locally higher amounts possible in areas
that see the stronger convective cells this morning and today. Given
that SE portion of the area has not received much precip so far and
with FF guidance over 3"/3hrs have decided against any flash flood
watches this morning. However, will have to watch for training
cells, especially in urban areas around Hampton Roads. SPC has the
SE VA and NE NC in a Marginal Risk for severe storms with strong
winds the main threat. CAM guidance has the deepest
convection/heaviest rainfall moving SE of the area by early
afternoon but additional convective development is possible in the
wake of the morning precip, especially if substantial breaks in the
cloud cover develop. Will continue to show mostly cloudy skies today
with some thinning spreading from NW to SE late this afternoon. With
showers and clouds around, high temps today will be markedly cooler
than the last few days with max temps only topping out in the upper
70s and low 80s. Will maintain chance PoPs across the far SE into
this evening before the surface cold front moves through tonight.
Overnight lows fall into the upper 50s NW to the mid 60s SE.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
As of 355 AM EDT Friday...

The upper low will open into a trough on Saturday across New England
with the trough axis moving through the local area by early
afternoon. Mostly sunny and dry for most locations on Saturday but
more clouds and at least slight chance PoPs will hang on across the
N and NE, closer to the upper low. High temps will be quite pleasant
by July standards with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s. Any
precip across the NE comes to an end Saturday evening with loss
of daytime heating. Overnight temps will be comfortable with
lows in the upper 50s and low 60s.

Warming trend begins on Independence Day with winds turning
SW and high temps in the low to mid 80s. Most areas will be dry
on Sunday but there could be an isolated shower or thunderstorm
across the NE where any embedded shortwave energy in the NW
flow aloft will have the most influence. Mostly clear Sunday
night with lows in the mid to upper 60s. Dry and warmer still on
Monday as heights build aloft with high temps in the low 90s
(upper 80s for the eastern shore). Muggy Monday night with lows
in the upper 60s and low 70s.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 355 AM EDT Friday...

Hot and dry Tuesday as high pressure dominates the Southeast. High
temps Tuesday and Wednesday return to the low/mid 90s with overnight
lows in the low 70s. Moisture increases modestly by Wednesday so
will carry chance PoPs by the afternoon hours. Model guidance
diverges significantly for the mid to late week period and it
remains too early to speculate on any potential impacts to the local
area from Elsa. However, am fairly confident that deep moisture will
increase across the region so will show PoPs around 40% for
Thursday.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 655 AM EDT Friday...

A mix of flying conditions is in place early this morning with
MVFR/IFR CIGs and VSBYs across central VA northeastward into the
MD eastern shore. To the south, most sites are reporting MVFR
CIGs. Precip and associated flight restrictions will translate
southeast this morning into the afternoon. Will show prevailing
MVFR conditions but brief dips into IFR/LIFR territory will
accompany the heavier showers and storms. Winds generally out of
the SW this morning will transition to W and NW by late
afternoon as a cold front drops slowly SE, bringing an end to
precip chances from NW to SE.

OUTLOOK...
Primarily VFR conditions expected to return tonight and linger
into early next week.

&&

.MARINE...
As of 645 AM EDT Friday...

Have updated the CWF to extend SCA headlines a bit longer this
morning given an uptick in W to SW winds across portions of the
waters this morning in advance of an approaching cold front.
The SCAs are in effect through 10am for these areas (and til
1pm for the Currituck sound). Seas are mostly 4ft or less but
there may be some 5 ft seas out near 20NM offshore in the
southern coastal waters.

Winds then gradually shift to the W/NW this aftn (and become fairly
light at 5-10kt). The latest 00Z/02 models have trended stronger
with a cool surge of NNW winds later tonight into Sat morning. Local
wind probs are only 20-40% for reaching sustained 18kt winds for all
but one site in the Bay, so while winds were increased compared to
the previous forecast (with a few hrs worth of 20kt now forecast),
no additional SCA headlines have been issued for the Bay. Weak high
pressure then settles across the area Sat night and Sunday morning,
before shifting off the coast late Sunday into next week. Winds will
turn back to a southerly direction later Sun and Sun night. A S wind
will continue through at least midweek, with some increase in speeds
expected Mon night and beyond. Seas will avg 2-4 ft and waves in the
Bay will be 1-2 ft, except building to 2-3 ft in the Bay (and 3-5ft
offshore) by Tue night/Wed.

&&

.AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...None.
NC...None.
VA...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM EDT this morning for
     ANZ630>632-634-656-658.
     Small Craft Advisory until 1 PM EDT this afternoon for ANZ633.

&&

SYNOPSIS...RHR
NEAR TERM...RHR
SHORT TERM...RHR
LONG TERM...RHR
AVIATION...RHR
MARINE...LKB
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 2, 4:06 AM EDT, 4 hours 33 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
406 AM EDT Fri Jul 2 2021

MDZ021>025-VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>086-088>090-509>522-030815-
Dorchester-Wicomico-Somerset-Inland Worcester-Maryland Beaches-
Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Mecklenburg-
Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Westmoreland-Richmond-
Northumberland-Lancaster-Brunswick-Dinwiddie-Prince George-
Charles City-New Kent-Gloucester-Middlesex-Mathews-Sussex-Surry-
James City-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-
406 AM EDT Fri Jul 2 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, central
Virginia, east central Virginia, eastern Virginia, north central
Virginia, south central Virginia and southeast Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Showers and thunderstorms are possible across the area through this
afternoon.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ087-092-093-095>100-523>525-030815-
Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck-
Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck-Greensville-Southampton-
Isle of Wight-Norfolk/Portsmouth-Suffolk-Chesapeake-Virginia Beach-
Accomack-York-Newport News-Hampton/Poquoson-
406 AM EDT Fri Jul 2 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast North Carolina,
eastern Virginia and southeast Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop over the area this
morning. Locally heavy rainfall and isolated gusty winds are
possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 2, 7:43 AM EDT, 56 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
743 AM EDT Fri Jul 2 2021

NCZ012>014-VAZ087-092-093-096-021215-
Hertford-Northampton-Gates-Isle of
Wight-Southampton-Suffolk-Greensville-
743 AM EDT Fri Jul 2 2021

...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN
NORTHAMPTON...NORTHWESTERN HERTFORD...ISLE OF WIGHT...AND SOUTHAMPTON
COUNTIES...THE CITY OF FRANKLIN AND THE CENTRAL CITY OF SUFFOLK...

At 742 AM EDT, thunderstorms with heavy rain were located along a
line extending from near Elberon to Garysburg. Movement was east at
20 mph.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph and heavy downpours are possible with these
storms.

Locations impacted include...
Franklin, Murfreesboro, Windsor, Courtland, Garysburg, Boykins,
Holland, Chowan University, Suffolk, Isle Of Wight, Conway, Woodland,
Seaboard, Ivor, Newsoms, Como, Hunterdale, Carrsville, Sedley and
Kings Fork.

Strong wind gusts are possible with these storms. 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.

Motorists should use extra caution in the vicinity of these storms.
Be prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Heavy
rain could cause ponding of water on roads, and possible minor
flooding of ditches and poor drainage areas.

LAT...LON 3637 7755 3641 7755 3644 7761 3687 7711
      3699 7686 3690 7648 3631 7707
TIME...MOT...LOC 1142Z 263DEG 19KT 3700 7682 3645 7756

44
Special weather statement, Jul 2, 8:15 AM EDT, 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
815 AM EDT Fri Jul 2 2021

NCZ012>014-VAZ092-093-095>097-021245-
Hertford-Northampton-Gates-Isle of
Wight-Norfolk/Portsmouth-Southampton-Suffolk-Chesapeake-
815 AM EDT Fri Jul 2 2021

...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN
NORTHAMPTON...WESTERN HERTFORD...NORTHWESTERN GATES...ISLE OF
WIGHT...AND SOUTHEASTERN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTIES...THE CITY OF
NORFOLK...THE CITY OF FRANKLIN...THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH AND THE CITY
OF SUFFOLK...

At 814 AM EDT, thunderstorms with heavy rain were located along a
line extending from Rescue to 8 miles south of Seaboard. Movement was
east at 25 mph.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph are possible with these storms.

Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible with these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Franklin, Smithfield, Ahoskie, Murfreesboro, Windsor, Courtland,
Boykins, Ocean View, Downtown Portsmouth, Churchland, Old Dominion
University, Downtown Norfolk, Downtown Suffolk, Holland, Chowan
University, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Isle Of
Wight.

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.

Motorists should use extra caution in the vicinity of these storms.
Be prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Heavy
rain could cause ponding of water on roads, and possible minor
flooding of ditches and poor drainage areas.

LAT...LON 3640 7755 3654 7734 3654 7730 3656 7733
      3703 7664 3699 7645 3696 7642 3698 7639
      3694 7617 3626 7702
TIME...MOT...LOC 1214Z 265DEG 18KT 3702 7656 3637 7741

44
Special weather statement, Jul 2, 8:39 AM EDT, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
839 AM EDT Fri Jul 2 2021

VAZ095>098-021315-
Norfolk/Portsmouth-Suffolk-Chesapeake-Virginia Beach-
839 AM EDT Fri Jul 2 2021

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT ...THE CITY OF NORFOLK...THE
NORTHERN CITY OF CHESAPEAKE...THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH...THE
NORTHEASTERN CITY OF SUFFOLK AND THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH...

At 838 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Western Branch,
or near Churchland, moving east at 30 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with this storm.

Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Virginia Beach, Ocean View, Kempsville, Virginia Wesleyan University,
Old Dominion University, Downtown Norfolk, Regent University, Great
Bridge, Deep Creek, Downtown Portsmouth, Churchland, Norfolk State
University, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Bowers Hill,
Cradock, Princess Anne and Driver.

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 this storm. 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.

Motorists should use extra caution in the vicinity of this storm. Be
prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Heavy rain
could cause ponding of water on roads, and possible minor flooding of
ditches and poor drainage areas.

LAT...LON 3670 7652 3691 7652 3692 7650 3695 7651
      3694 7649 3696 7649 3698 7621 3695 7609
      3697 7605 3697 7599 3696 7597 3694 7594
      3690 7594 3673 7589 3670 7589
TIME...MOT...LOC 1238Z 266DEG 27KT 3683 7644

44

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 1, 9:30 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQAmelia, Nottoway, Prince Edward45 min
Jul 1, 9:41 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningAKQAmelia, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway, Powhatan, Prince Edward49 min
Jul 1, 10:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQChesterfield, Henrico, Powhatan, City of Colonial Heights, City of Petersburg, City of Richmond50 min
Jul 1, 10:44 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ61 min
Jul 1, 10:46 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQAmelia, Cumberland, Nottoway, Prince Edward3 hr
Jul 1, 10:53 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQCharles City, Chesterfield, Henrico, James City, King and Queen, King William and 6 more52 min
Jul 1, 10:55 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQChesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, City of Richmond7 hr
Jul 1, 11:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQNottoway47 min
Jul 1, 11:20 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQCharles City, Gloucester, James City, Mathews, Middlesex, Surry and 2 more3 hr
Jul 1, 11:26 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQAccomack, Northampton49 min
Jul 2, 1:07 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQChesterfield, Henrico, Prince George, City of Colonial Heights, City of Hopewell, City of Petersburg3 hr
Jul 2, 5:36 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQJames City, York, City of Newport News3 hr
Jul 2, 7:42 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQYork, City of Hampton, City of Newport News, City of Poquoson3 hr
Jul 2, 7:43 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQIsle of Wight, Southampton, City of Franklin32 min
Jul 2, 8:15 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQIsle of Wight, City of Franklin, City of Norfolk, City of Portsmouth, City of Suffolk30 min
Jul 2, 8:22 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningAKQCity of Hampton, City of Newport News113 min
Jul 2, 8:34 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ71 min
Jul 2, 8:46 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQIsle of Wight, Southampton, City of Franklin, City of Suffolk3 hr
Jul 2, 9:00 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ75 min
Jul 2, 9:08 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQCity of Chesapeake, City of Norfolk, City of Portsmouth, City of Suffolk3 hr
Jul 2, 9:12 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQCity of Norfolk, City of Virginia Beach33 min
Jul 2, 9:36 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ114 min
Jul 2, 9:57 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQCity of Chesapeake, City of Virginia Beach48 min
Jul 2, 10:17 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQCity of Hampton, City of Newport News3 hr
Jul 2, 8:48 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQGates27 min
Jul 2, 6:03 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQDorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester3 hr

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in Virginia, 2021Every special weather statement in 2021

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.