Alert archive / Virginia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2021

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 35, NWS Blacksburg, VA

May 4, 20219 counties in Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 4, 2021, 2:22 PM EDT for 9 counties in Virginia. It was in force for 53 min. 20 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
May 4, 2021, 2:22 PM EDT (18:22 UTC)
Expired
May 4, 2021, 3:15 PM EDT
In force
53 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Bedford County, VA, Botetourt County, VA, City of Roanoke, VA, City of Salem, VA, Craig County, VA, Floyd County, VA, Franklin County, VA, Montgomery County, VA, Roanoke County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 28 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:25 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 4, 2:23 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Sw Glenvar, VA2 LARGE TREES DOWN ALONG US-460 IN THE DIXIE CAVERNS AREA.
May 4, 2:25 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 W Salem City, VAWINDS BLEW MULTIPLE LIMBS DOWN ALONG WEST RIVERSIDE DRIVE.
May 4, 2:27 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 Sse Salem City, VAMULTIPLE LIMBS AND TWO TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN ALONG APPERSON DRIVE NEAR THE AMERICAN LEGION.
May 4, 2:28 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG3 W Salem City, VA30-50 FOOT TREE SNAPPED AND FELLED.
May 4, 2:31 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG3 Wnw Roanoke, VATREE DOWN AT THE INTERSECTION OF WESTSIDE BLVD NW AND SALEM TURNPIKE.
May 4, 2:32 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Ssw Roanoke Airport, VAA TREE WAS BLOWN DOWN AT THE INTERSECTION OF ANGUS ROAD AND GUERNSEY LANE.
May 4, 2:33 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Ne Cave Spring, VA3-INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN. POWER POLES BROKEN.
May 4, 2:33 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Sw Roanoke, VAWINDS BLEW LARGE LIMBS DOWN IN THE 1900 BLOCK OF GREENWOOD ROAD.
May 4, 2:33 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGRoanoke, VAA TREE WAS BLOWN DOWN AT THE INTERSECTION OF 13TH STREET SW AND PATTERSON AVE.
May 4, 2:34 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Ssw Roanoke, VAA TREE WAS BLOWN DOWN AT THE INTERSECTION OF BRANDON AVE AND CANTERBURY ROAD SW.
May 4, 2:37 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 Wsw Hollins, VAONE TREE DOWN ALONG LAKEVIEW CIRCLE NW.
May 4, 2:39 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Sse Roanoke, VATREE DOWN ATOP MILL MOUNTAIN.
May 4, 2:40 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 Se Daleville, VATREES UPROOTED OR SNAPPED. ROOF BLOWN OFF.
May 4, 2:42 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Sse Blue Ridge, VATREES DOWN ALONG ARCHWAY ROAD IN BLUE RIDGE, VA.
May 4, 2:45 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGElliston, VAA COUPLE OF TREES AND SEVERAL LIMBS DOWN ALONG U.S. 11/460 IN ELLISTON.
May 4, 2:47 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 Ene Blue Ridge, VATREES DOWN ALONG FIELD AVE IN BLUE RIDGE.
May 4, 2:50 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Nne Vinton, VATHE PUBLIC REPORTS A TREE DOWN ON THE NORTHBOUND LANE OF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY.
May 4, 2:54 PM EDTTSTM WND GST 57Roanoke Airport, VA
May 4, 3:00 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Wnw Thaxton, VAAT LEAST TWO MOBILE HOMES BLOWN OFF THEIR FOUNDATION IN THE ROBINCREST MOBILE HOME PARK BETWEEN MONTVALE AND THAXTON ALONG THE LYNCHBURG-SALEM TURNPIKE OR U.S. 460. SEVERAL LARGE TREES DOWN IN THE AREA AND CONSIDERABLE DEBRIS ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND IN THE MOBIL
May 4, 3:00 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 W Salem City, VASPOTTER REPORTS SEVERAL LARGE TREES DOWN BLOCKING WILDWOOD ROAD NEAR THE FOOD LION SHOPPING CENTER IN THE WESTERN PART OF SALEM CITY.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 4, 1:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 6.4 hours before the alert went out and 48 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, Roanoke, VA at 12:00Z on 2021-05-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 649 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Roanoke, VA at 12:00Z on 2021-05-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 116 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
649 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-120 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
750 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
116 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
105 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

612 
WUUS51 KRNK 041822
SVRRNK
VAC019-023-045-063-067-121-161-770-775-041915-
/O.NEW.KRNK.SV.W.0035.210504T1822Z-210504T1915Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
222 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

The National Weather Service in BLACKSBURG has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Roanoke County in west central Virginia...
  Southeastern Craig County in southwestern Virginia...
  The City of Salem in west central Virginia...
  Northeastern Floyd County in southwestern Virginia...
  The City of Roanoke in west central Virginia...
  Southwestern Bedford County in south central Virginia...
  Southwestern Botetourt County in west central Virginia...
  Northern Franklin County in west central Virginia...
  Northeastern Montgomery County in southwestern Virginia...

* Until 315 PM EDT.

* At 222 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Shawsville,
  moving northeast at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage 
           to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Roanoke...
  Blacksburg...
  Salem...
  Christiansburg...
  Vinton...
  Troutville...
  and Boones Mill.

This includes The following Locations The Salem Fairgrounds and
Roanoke Regional Airport.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. For your
safety, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Stay away from windows.

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 3699 8022 3727 8045 3757 7983 3716 7948
TIME...MOT...LOC 1822Z 247DEG 26KT 3714 8026 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

VFJ
3 follow-up statements
106 
WWUS51 KRNK 041840
SVSRNK

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
240 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

VAC063-121-041850-
/O.CAN.KRNK.SV.W.0035.000000T0000Z-210504T1915Z/
Floyd VA-Montgomery VA-
240 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR 
NORTHEASTERN FLOYD AND NORTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTIES IS
CANCELLED...
    
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of 
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
central, south central, southwestern 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 3711 8001 3739 8021 3757 7983 3716 7948
TIME...MOT...LOC 1840Z 243DEG 35KT 3725 8001 

$$

VAC019-023-045-067-161-770-775-041915-
/O.CON.KRNK.SV.W.0035.000000T0000Z-210504T1915Z/
Roanoke VA-Craig VA-City of Salem VA-City of Roanoke VA-Bedford VA-
Botetourt VA-Franklin VA-
240 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM EDT
FOR
ROANOKE...SOUTHEASTERN CRAIG...SOUTHWESTERN BEDFORD...SOUTHWESTERN
BOTETOURT AND NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES...THE CITY OF SALEM AND
THE CITY OF ROANOKE...

At 240 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Cave Spring, or
near Roanoke, moving northeast at 40 mph. 

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Roanoke...
Salem...
Vinton...
Troutville...
Boones Mill...
Stewartsville...
and Moneta.

This includes The following Locations The Salem Fairgrounds and
Roanoke Regional Airport.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Prepare immediately for LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. For your
safety, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Stay away from windows.

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 3711 8001 3739 8021 3757 7983 3716 7948
TIME...MOT...LOC 1840Z 243DEG 35KT 3725 8001 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

VFJ
126 
WWUS51 KRNK 041857
SVSRNK

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
257 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

VAC045-770-775-041906-
/O.CAN.KRNK.SV.W.0035.000000T0000Z-210504T1915Z/
Craig VA-City of Salem VA-City of Roanoke VA-
257 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR 
SOUTHEASTERN CRAIG ...THE CITY OF SALEM AND THE CITY OF ROANOKE IS
CANCELLED...
    
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of 
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
central, south central, southwestern 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 3712 7987 3730 7986 3756 7985 3757 7983
      3716 7948
TIME...MOT...LOC 1856Z 247DEG 26KT 3730 7987 

$$

VAC019-023-067-161-041915-
/O.CON.KRNK.SV.W.0035.000000T0000Z-210504T1915Z/
Roanoke VA-Bedford VA-Botetourt VA-Franklin VA-
257 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM EDT
FOR
EAST CENTRAL ROANOKE...SOUTHWESTERN BEDFORD...SOUTH CENTRAL BOTETOURT
AND NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES...

At 256 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Vinton, moving
northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Stewartsville...
Montvale...
Moneta...
Huddleston...
Northwest Smith Mountain Lake...
Goodview...
and Nace.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Prepare immediately for DAMAGING WINDS. For your safety, move to an
interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Stay away
from windows.

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 3712 7987 3730 7986 3756 7985 3757 7983
      3716 7948
TIME...MOT...LOC 1856Z 247DEG 26KT 3730 7987 

HAIL...<.75IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

VFJ
634 
WWUS51 KRNK 041905
SVSRNK

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
305 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

VAC019-023-067-161-041915-
/O.EXP.KRNK.SV.W.0035.000000T0000Z-210504T1915Z/
Roanoke VA-Bedford VA-Botetourt VA-Franklin VA-
305 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR 
EAST CENTRAL ROANOKE...SOUTHWESTERN BEDFORD...SOUTH CENTRAL BOTETOURT
AND NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 315 PM EDT...
        
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
central, south central, southwestern 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 3712 7987 3730 7986 3756 7985 3757 7983
      3716 7948
TIME...MOT...LOC 1905Z 247DEG 26KT 3732 7981 

$$

VFJ

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 4, 12:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKGrayson, Smyth, Tazewell25 min
May 4, 12:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBland, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe29 min
May 4, 1:23 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKRockbridge, City of Buena Vista, City of Lexington37 min
May 4, 1:30 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBland, Craig, Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski and 4 more30 min
May 4, 1:41 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Montgomery, Pulaski, City of Radford49 min
May 4, 1:53 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKAlleghany, City of Covington37 min
May 4, 2:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKRockbridge14 min
May 4, 2:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCity of Roanoke, City of Salem35 min
May 4, 2:12 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKBedford, Franklin, Montgomery, Roanoke, City of Roanoke, City of Salem2 hr
May 4, 2:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany, Bath, Botetourt, Rockbridge, City of Lexington60 min
May 4, 2:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAmherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, Rockbridge, City of Buena Vista and 1 more67 min
May 4, 3:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany, Amherst, Botetourt, Rockbridge, City of Lexington40 min
May 4, 3:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAmherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell55 min
May 4, 3:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAppomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte55 min
May 4, 4:11 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBuckingham34 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Virginia, 2021Every severe thunderstorm warning 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.