Alert archive / Maryland / Flash Flood Warnings in 2023

Flash Flood Warning 19, NWS Wakefield, VA

July 7, 2023Wicomico County, Maryland

NWS Wakefield, VA issued this flash flood warning at Jul 7, 2023, 4:15 PM EDT for Wicomico County, Maryland. 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
Jul 7, 2023, 4:15 PM EDT (20:15 UTC)
Expired
Jul 7, 2023, 7:15 PM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Wakefield, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Wicomico County, MD

The radar

The Dover AFB radar (KDOX), 53 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:15 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, 8.3 hours before the alert went out and 53 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 2023-07-07Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 334 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 2023-07-07The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -7 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
334 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-58 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
832 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
7 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-7 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
3 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 flash flood warning 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 flash flood warning went out at Jul 7, 2:52 PM EDT, 1 hour 23 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 7, 2:52 PM EDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
252 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023

.SYNOPSIS...
An upper trough will linger over the Mid-Atlantic through
Monday bringing daily chances for showers and thunderstorms,
primarily during the afternoon and evening hours. Drier weather
will return on Tuesday and Wednesday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 250 PM EDT Friday...

Afternoon wx analysis shows a weak sfc trough stretching from
the NE CONUS to near the I-95 Corridor. A weak shortwave is
approaching the area from the west (and the flow aloft remains
light). A deeper upper trough/stronger shortwave is over the
Midwest/wrn Great Lakes. Showers/tstms have developed along that
sfc trough. Expect scattered convection to persist (highest
coverage will be inland) through early evening before gradual
weakening occurs with the loss of daytime heating. Severe wx is
not expected as the environment is characterized by modest lapse
rates and very weak shear. However, isolated gusts to 45-50 mph
cannot be ruled out in the strongest storms. Will again be
watching the potential for patchy fog late tonight, especially
for locations that receive rainfall today (and on the ern
shore). Low temperatures tonight fall into the upper 60s to
lower 70s.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 250 PM EDT Friday...

While the above mentioned deeper trough will dive toward the
Great Lakes, it will remain far enough NW of the area for the
flow aloft to remain weak on Saturday. Therefore, expect similar
conditions with another chance for scattered afternoon showers
and thunderstorms. Heavy rainfall/localized flooding will again
be the main threat due to weak shear/slow moving storms. A
touch cooler on Saturday due to a bit more in the way of cloud
cover and a SE wind. Highs will generally be in the upper 80s.
Remaining humid with dewpoints in the 70s. Temperatures Saturday
night drop back into the upper 60s to lower 70s.

Things get slightly more interesting on Sunday as the broader
trough to the W continues to dig ESE. This will allow the 500 mb
flow to increase to 30-40 knots by Sun aftn. At the same time,
the potent shortwave currently over the Midwest is progged to
track eastward over the nrn Mid-Atlantic. The above factors
(combined with continued very warm/humid wx) will result in
faster moving storms with an increased severe wx threat. The
models still show MLCAPE values of 2000-2500 J/kg Sunday
afternoon/evening. Expect scattered-numerous tstms to develop in
the Piedmont by 1-2 PM before tracking across the area during
the remainder of the aftn/evening. The stronger deep-layer
flow/effective shear should allow for more organized convection.
There is the potential that the storms evolve into a broken
line as they cross the FA. With the linear storm mode, the main
threat appears to be damaging wind gusts. SPC has maintained the
SLGT Risk for severe wx across the entire area. In addition,
the heavy rain/flooding threat persists with WPC highlighting
most of the area in a Marginal ERO (with a Slight ERO in our
coastal zones...including Hampton Roads). High temperatures will
range from the mid to upper 80s north and upper 80s to lower
90s south on Sunday. A cold front swings across the region
Sunday night/early Monday morning briefly putting an end to the
rain chances. Starting out drier on Monday in the wake of the
front. Isolated to widely scattered showers/tstms are possible
Mon aftn/evening (especially south) as another shortwave trough
swings through the area. Not as much shower or storm coverage
compared to the weekend as instability will be limited. Slightly
cooler and less humid on Monday with high temperatures
generally in the mid 80s.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 250 PM EDT Friday...

Drier wx prevails on Tuesday and Wednesday as high pressure
briefly builds across the region. Highs on Tuesday will be in
the upper 80s in most areas and highs on Wednesday warm into
the lower 90s. Rain chances increase later in the week as
another front begins to approach from the west. Have slight
chc-chc PoPs on Thu/Fri for now. Forecast highs are in the lower
90s in most areas on both days.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 125 PM EDT Friday...

Prevailing VFR conditions are expected at most of the terminals
through the 18z/07 TAF period. Scattered showers/tstms will
increase in coverage during the next couple of hours and
continue through early evening before gradually waning with the
loss of daytime heating. Brief IFR to LIFR VSBYs (and gusty
winds to ~30kt) are likely in the heavier showers/tstms. Have
VCSH/VCTS through 00-03z in the TAFs to account for this. VFR
through tonight/Sat AM outside of patchy fog at SBY between
08-12z. Winds remain light through the period.

Outlook: The current pattern favors continued daily
aftn/evening isolated to sctd showers/storms each day through
Mon, along with the potential for areas of early morning low
stratus and patchy fog (esply for areas that receive rain).
There is a better chance for strong to perhaps severe tstms Sun
aftn/evening.

&&

.MARINE...
As of 250 PM EDT Friday...

Sub-advisory/benign marine conditions expected through the weekend
and into early next week. Sea breezes are expected to develop each
afternoon this weekend, with wind speeds less than 10 kt. Winds turn
S at 10-15 kt (5-10 kt for bay and rivers) late on Sunday as a weak
cold front approaches from the W. Winds may have more of a
northwesterly component on Monday as the weak cold front, and a
developing low pressure system, moves farther offshore. However,
light sea breezes may develop again late Monday afternoon, and again
on Tuesday. Southwesterly winds may increase more for the middle of
the week as an area of high pressure builds off the Southeast U.S.
and southern Mid-Atlantic coasts.

Seas are generally around 2 ft, with waves in the Bay around 1 ft.
These conditions should continue through Saturday. Seas increase to
around 3 ft on Sunday with the increasing S winds. Afternoon showers
and tstms are also possible each afternoon and evening through at
least Sunday, which could bring brief higher wind and waves.

&&

.AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...None.
NC...None.
VA...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...AJB/ERI
NEAR TERM...ERI
SHORT TERM...AJB/ERI
LONG TERM...AJB/ERI
AVIATION...ERI
MARINE...CP/SW
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 7, 4:02 AM EDT, 12 hours 13 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
402 AM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023

MDZ021>025-NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>090-092-
093-095>100-509>525-080815-
Dorchester-Wicomico-Somerset-Inland Worcester-Maryland Beaches-
Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck-
Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck-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-Greensville-Sussex-Surry-James City-Southampton-
Isle of Wight-Norfolk/Portsmouth-Suffolk-Chesapeake-Virginia Beach-
Accomack-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-York-Newport News-
Hampton/Poquoson-
402 AM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Scattered showers and storms this afternoon into this evening may
produce locally heavy rainfall, which may lead to instances of
ponding of water on roadways and isolated instances of flooding of
urban or poor drainage areas.

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

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 7, 3:41 PM EDT, 34 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 7, 3:45 PM EDT, 30 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 7, 3:48 PM EDT, 27 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 7, 3:59 PM EDT, 16 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jul 7, 4:00 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
400 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023

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

0358 PM     Rain             4 NNE Colonial Heights  37.31N 77.37W
07/07/2023  E2.50 inch       Chesterfield       VA   NWS Employee

            Retired NWS Employee. Storm total rainfall
            2.50 in Southcreek subdivision.

&&

05
Special weather statement, Jul 7, 4:04 PM EDT, 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
404 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023

VAZ075-521-072030-
Westmoreland VA-Western Essex VA-
404 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Westmoreland and northwestern Essex Counties through 430 PM EDT...

At 404 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Leedstown, or 8 miles southwest of Colonial Beach, moving south at 10
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and heavy rain. In addition,
         Doppler radar has indicated weak rotation with this storm.
         While a tornado is not immediately likely, remain alert for
         any warnings.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small trees and blow around
         unsecured objects. Wind impacting handling of high profile
         vehicles. Reduced visibility and minor flooding possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Leedstown around 425 PM EDT.
  Loretto around 430 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this storm include Oak Grove, Peeds,
Hustle, Potomac Mills and Chance.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3820 7699 3821 7698 3820 7695 3811 7690
      3808 7694 3807 7693 3803 7712 3812 7714
      3813 7710 3815 7712 3816 7709 3814 7707
      3817 7706 3818 7705 3821 7705 3823 7697
TIME...MOT...LOC 2004Z 342DEG 10KT 3815 7706

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

EI

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 7, 1:19 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQSussex47 min
Jul 7, 1:30 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQSussex30 min
Jul 7, 1:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQHenrico29 min
Jul 7, 1:44 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQHenrico, City of Richmond76 min
Jul 7, 1:47 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQGreensville, City of Emporia58 min
Jul 7, 2:30 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQCity of Colonial Heights, City of Hopewell, City of Petersburg30 min
Jul 7, 2:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQSouthampton, City of Franklin45 min
Jul 7, 2:46 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQGreensville59 min
Jul 7, 2:51 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningAKQChesterfield, Prince George, City of Colonial Heights, City of Hopewell107 min
Jul 7, 3:18 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQCaroline42 min
Jul 7, 3:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQKing George31 min
Jul 7, 3:41 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQCaroline2 hr
Jul 7, 3:48 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQCity of Franklin42 min
Jul 7, 4:04 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQWestmoreland26 min
Jul 7, 4:28 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQEssex47 min
Jul 7, 4:37 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningAKQEssex, Richmond38 min
Jul 7, 4:44 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQSussex46 min
Jul 7, 4:53 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQRichmond2 hr
Jul 7, 5:33 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQKing and Queen27 min
Jul 7, 5:37 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningAKQKing and Queen, King William, New Kent27 min
Jul 7, 6:03 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQLouisa42 min
Jul 7, 6:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningAKQFluvanna, Goochland, Louisa42 min
Jul 7, 7:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningAKQCumberland, Fluvanna28 min
Jul 7, 7:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQCumberland39 min
Jul 7, 3:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQBertie45 min
Jul 7, 4:28 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQBertie, Chowan, Gates47 min
Jul 7, 5:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningAKQBertie, Chowan, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank, Perquimans51 min
Jul 7, 3:41 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQDorchester64 min
Jul 7, 3:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQWicomico61 min
Jul 7, 4:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQWicomico47 min
Jul 7, 5:13 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAKQWicomico2 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Maryland, 2023Every flash flood warning in 2023

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.