Alert archive / West Virginia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2022

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 47, NWS Blacksburg, VA

May 19, 2022Mercer County, Summers County, West Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 19, 2022, 7:39 PM EDT for Mercer County, Summers County, West Virginia. It was in force for 51 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
May 19, 2022, 7:39 PM EDT (23:39 UTC)
Expired
May 19, 2022, 8:30 PM EDT
In force
51 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.25 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Mercer County, WV, Summers County, WV

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 84 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:38 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

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 11.7 hours before the alert went out and 136 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 2022-05-19Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 138 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, Roanoke, VA at 12:00Z on 2022-05-19The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 96 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
138 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-69 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
798 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
18 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
96 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
117 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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 Blacksburg, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 19, 6:31 PM EDT, 1 hour 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 19, 6:31 PM EDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
631 PM EDT Thu May 19 2022

.SYNOPSIS...
Summer-like warmth with higher humidity levels is expected
through the weekend. Temperatures will cool off slightly Monday
and Tuesday. There will be chances for showers and thunderstorms
each afternoon, with more widespread rainfall expected Sunday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 630 PM EDT Thursday...

...Severe storms still possible west of I-77 this evening...

Isolated strong storms are affecting western and southern parts
of the forecast area. Storms are not quite making it to severe
limits in our forecast area, likely based on tall skinny CAPE
profiles, a little bit of capping in the mid levels, and not
quite enough moisture available as compared to our west and
southwest. Much stronger storms/supercells are now nearing our
western counties, but will likely weaken the farther east they
go.

Still two to three more hours of daylight left for the storms to
work with before they begin to weaken. The surface front shifts
north through the forecast area overnight, and will keep a small
chance for thunderstorms accompanying it as it interacts with
the Blue Ridge.

As of 245 PM EDT Thursday...

Marginal Risk for severe weather tonight.

A warm front extends from the central Mid-Atlantic west across
southern KY into a mesoscale induce convective vortex (MCV)
center over Missouri. North of the warm front, the airmass was
dry and stable. South of the warm front, the airmass was moist
and quite unstable with SBCAPES of 3000+ j/KG across TN/KY. This
airmass will ignited clusters of thunderstorm activity along
the front, which will have the opportunity to move downstream
and into our forecast area during the overnight. Synoptic models
are poor at best with respect to precip generation. Convective
Allowing Models (CAMS) are OK, but still may not capture the
details/timing. For our forecast, we used the HREF which seems
to have the most realistic representation of where and when
showers/storms will develop with progression downstream along
the warm front. There were at least one or two members that
developed a bonafide MCS, those members having this feature move
along the warm front from KY into WV during the overnight.
Greatest threat if this were to occur would be damaging winds.

After tonight, the warm front is expected to lift north, leaving
the forecast area under building high pressure. With lack of any
synoptic or mesoscale forcing, any thunderstorm activity would
be isolated, diurnally driven, and mainly confined to the
mountains. Temperatures/dewpoints the next several days will
resemble summer...so get ready for the heat and humidity.

&&

.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
As of 230 PM EDT Thursday...

Any daytime thunderstorm activity should begin to subside after
sunset as we lose daytime heating, leading to a mostly dry
Friday night. Now well within southwest flow, overnight will
remain mild and humid with many locations remaining in the mid
to upper 60s overnight.

Expect another hot day for Saturday as ridging still remains
locked in place. Widespread upper 80s to mid 90s will be
common once again. A weak impulse underneath the upper-level
ridging will drift northward on Saturday which should provide a
bit more forcing for ascent, so expecting better coverage of
rain and afternoon thunderstorms on Saturday. Best focus for
these will be along the southern Blue Ridge from northwest NC
and into southern VA, but not limited to these locations. Again,
should see storms dissipate by early Saturday night and another
mostly dry and very mild overnight is expected.

The front that was expected to cross the area on Sunday in
previous forecasts has slowed considerably when going through
various model guidance this afternoon. As a result, another hot
and humid day is likely. Clouds and an earlier start to
afternoon rain/storms may limit heating some, but still could
see low 90s in the east, 80s for the mountains. Rain and
isolated storms may remain into Sunday night.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 230 PM EDT Thursday...

Guidance is still trending slower with the passage of the next
front, with some guidance even stalling the front across our
region. This should allow for rain chances to continue into
Monday/Monday night. Some guidance is also pursuing the idea
that the front does not completely clear the area and we remain
locked in with showers through at least mid-week. There is still
quite a bit of uncertainty beyond Monday, but kept the mention
of rain through the entire long term forecast period.

Regardless of the uncertainty with the rain, looks like much
cooler air is one the way for the first of next week.
Widespread 60s and 70s will be possible, especially if we begin
to see high pressure to the north wedge southward, which is also
a scenario that is being hinted at with guidance.

&&

.AVIATION /22Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 230 PM EDT Thursday...

Overall looking at mainly VFR through the period. Exception
within the vicinity of showers and thunderstorms which will be
scattered across the region this evening and into the overnight.
There is a vigorous mesoscale vorticity center that will move
across the lower Ohio Valley tonight. Thunderstorms will be
prolific underneath and ahead of this feature as it moves east
across KY, southern IN, OH, and WV. Debris clouds from this
activity will move downstream and into the central Mid-Atlantic.

West winds will be gusty at times until sunset...15 to
20kts. Higher gusts are likely withing the vicinity of
thunderstorms.

Extended Aviation Discussion...

Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will diminish Friday with
only isolated coverage, and limited to the mountains on Friday
and Saturday. Prevailing conditions will be VFR with well-above
normal temperatures. Sub-VFR conditions are possible Sunday-
Monday with rain and thunderstorms chances increasing.

&&

.CLIMATE...
As of 445 AM EDT Wednesday...

Friday May 20, 2022

Location       Forecast  Record    Record Year

Bluefield, WV    87        87        1996
Danville, VA     95        97        1996
Lynchburg, VA    95        96        1941
Roanoke, VA      94        98        1934
Blacksburg, VA   89        90        1934

&&

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

&&

SYNOPSIS...PM
NEAR TERM...PM/SH
SHORT TERM...BMG
LONG TERM...BMG
AVIATION...PM
CLIMATE...VFJ
Hazardous weather outlook, May 19, 2:19 PM EDT, 5 hours 20 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
219 PM EDT Thu May 19 2022

VAZ019-020-024-035-046-047-WVZ507-508-201830-
Alleghany VA-Bath-Rockbridge-Amherst-Appomattox-Buckingham-
Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier-
219 PM EDT Thu May 19 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, west
central Virginia and southeast West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

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

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ002>006-019-020-VAZ010>014-016>018-022-023-032>034-043>045-058-
059-WVZ042>044-201830-
Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Wilkes-Yadkin-Bland-
Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Roanoke-Botetourt-
Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Halifax-
Charlotte-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-
219 PM EDT Thu May 19 2022

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 this afternoon and evening may become severe
with damaging winds the main threat.

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

There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ001-018-VAZ007-009-015-201830-
Ashe-Watauga-Tazewell-Smyth-Grayson-
219 PM EDT Thu May 19 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest North Carolina and
southwest Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could be severe. Damaging
winds and hail are the primary threats. Localized flash flooding is
also possible.

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

There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Reports should be submitted by
phone by calling 1-866-215-4324, social media, by email at
rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov or online at www.weather.gov/rnk.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 19, 3:51 PM EDT, 3 hours 48 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 19, 4:49 PM EDT, 2 hours 50 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 19, 5:51 PM EDT, 1 hour 48 minutes before
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</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
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        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
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Special weather statement, May 19, 6:14 PM EDT, 1 hour 25 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
614 PM EDT Thu May 19 2022

NCZ005-VAZ043-044-192245-
Rockingham NC-Henry VA-Pittsylvania VA-
614 PM EDT Thu May 19 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Rockingham, southwestern Pittsylvania, and southeastern Henry
Counties through 645 PM EDT...

At 613 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Ridgeway, or near Stoneville, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Eden...
Mayfield...
Axton...
Ridgeway...
Price...
Draper...
and Aiken Summit.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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 3650 7994 3663 7994 3669 7951 3647 7952
TIME...MOT...LOC 2213Z 268DEG 31KT 3655 7987

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

PW
Special weather statement, May 19, 6:40 PM EDT, 59 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
640 PM EDT Thu May 19 2022

VAZ007-192315-
Tazewell VA-
640 PM EDT Thu May 19 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of
west central Tazewell County through 715 PM EDT...

At 640 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Raven, or 7 miles west of Richlands, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Richlands...
Cedar Bluff...
Raven...
Glen Burke...
Jewell Ridge...
Amonate...
and Claypool Hill.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3716 8187 3717 8187 3718 8180 3720 8176
      3723 8174 3724 8174 3724 8172 3720 8168
      3720 8160 3707 8153 3702 8181 3705 8182
      3711 8189 3714 8190
TIME...MOT...LOC 2240Z 254DEG 32KT 3708 8193

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

PW
Special weather statement, May 19, 7:16 PM EDT, 23 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
716 PM EDT Thu May 19 2022

VAZ007-192345-
Tazewell VA-
716 PM EDT Thu May 19 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of
southwestern Tazewell County through 745 PM EDT...

At 716 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Glen Burke, or near Richlands, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Richlands...
Tazewell...
Cedar Bluff...
Raven...
Glen Burke...
Jewell Ridge...
and Amonate.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3716 8187 3717 8187 3718 8180 3720 8176
      3724 8174 3724 8172 3720 8168 3721 8156
      3723 8152 3701 8154 3705 8183 3711 8189
      3714 8190
TIME...MOT...LOC 2316Z 275DEG 29KT 3715 8184

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

PW

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 19, 2:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCity of Danville24 min
May 19, 3:22 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCity of Danville23 min
May 19, 6:14 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCity of Martinsville31 min
May 19, 6:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKTazewell35 min
May 19, 7:16 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKTazewell29 min
May 19, 1:42 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKWatauga18 min
May 19, 3:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKPerson24 min
May 19, 5:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKRockingham24 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in West Virginia, 2022Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2022

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.