Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2023

Tornado Warning 12, NWS Wakefield, VA

August 14, 2023Accomack County, Virginia

NWS Wakefield, VA issued this tornado warning at Aug 14, 2023, 5:44 PM EDT for Accomack County, Virginia. It was in force for 31 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
Aug 14, 2023, 5:44 PM EDT (21:44 UTC)
Expired
Aug 14, 2023, 6:15 PM EDT
In force
31 min
Issued by
NWS Wakefield, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Accomack County, VA

The radar

The Dover AFB radar (KDOX), 121 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:44 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, 9.7 hours before the alert went out and 36 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 2023-08-14Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 4 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 2023-08-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 70 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
4 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-143 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1099 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
34 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
70 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
154 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
-0.0
Supercell composite
-0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Aug 14, 3:56 PM EDT, 1 hour 48 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 14, 3:56 PM EDT, 1 hour 48 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
356 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023

.SYNOPSIS...
Hot and humid weather continues through Tuesday. An upper level
trough will push a cold front through the area Tuesday into
Tuesday night. As a result, look for shower and thunderstorm
chances to increase over our area through Tuesday. The front
lingers south of the area into the middle of week before high
pressure rebuilds towards the area by the weekend.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 320 PM EDT Monday...

Afternoon analysis shows an upper-level trough over the Midwest
states. What's left of the ridge over the southern states is
slowly dissipating as height falls occur to the S. Upper-air
diffluence is also noted over the Mid-Atlantic downstream of
the trough. Stronger flow aloft will slowly encroach over the
area through the next two days as a shortwave rounds the base of
the larger longwave trough. In terms of storm potential today,
primary triggers have been and should continue to be preexisting
convective impulses. Radar as of ~3 pm shows scattered
convection currently moving through the Piedmont, with more
isolated activity noted over NE NC, the Northern Neck, and our
far SW counties. Mesoanalysis shows generally 1500-2000 J/kg of
MLCAPE (given very moist and warm low level airmass) and about
20-30 kt of effective shear. Storms (so far) have been sub-
severe, with some intensification trends noted in the past hour
or so. Overall, though, mid-level lapse rates seem to be
limiting updraft strength and current expectation is most
storms should remain sub-severe. The thermodynamic environment
does argue for an isolated severe storm or two, however, with
strong downdraft or cold pool-driven winds being the primary
threat. Will continue to monitor over the next few hours and see
if any upscale growth is noted, a trend suggested by some CAMs
in the HREF (e.g., the high- res windows of the NSSL WRF and
FV3). The greatest coverage still looks to be over the northern
1/3 of the FA. Into this evening, a few isolated showers or
storms may persist over nrn portions of the FA.

The other story today remains the heat, with obs from areas over
the SE showing heat indices well above 105F. Thus, the heat
advisory continues for these areas. For areas that haven't seen
any convection and are not in the advisory, expect heat indices
of 98-105F through the remainder of the aftn. Lows tonight will
be in the mid 70s to around 80 near the coast.

More active wx is expected on Tuesday with additional chances
for storms and more dangerous heat and humidity. The upper-level
trough will drag a slow-moving cold front through the area in
the aftn and evening hrs. Very strong instability is anticipated
ahead of the front as deep moisture pools in SE VA and NE NC.
Fcst soundings show MLCAPE possibly in excess of 2500-3000
J/kg. Given frontal convergence, decent upper-level support, and
little to no CIN, expect there to be little difficulty in
initiating convection once convective temps are reached. As of
now, a linear storm mode is favored and this idea is supported
by most of the high-res CAMs. SPC continues a slight risk for
the SE 2/3rs of the FA with the primary threats being damaging
wind gusts and frequent lightning. The other threat will be
heavy rain given the front will be slowing and PWATs increase to
2.1-2.3". WPC has a slight risk for flash flooding in SE VA,
with the most significant threat expected in urban Hampton Roads
with a widespread 1-3", with locally higher amounts possible. A
flood watch may need to be considered on the evening or
overnight shift for these vulnerable areas.

Once again, the heat will be an issue for far SE VA and NE NC
ahead of the front given the high dew points and temps well into
the mid 90s. Heat indices will soar into the 105-110F range for
Hampton Roads and NE NC (before the arrival of any convection
which would cools things off). Heat advisories have been
extended into tomorrow and now also include Mathews and
Northampton Counties in VA. Lows Tues night in the mid 60s to
low 70s.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 320 PM EDT Monday...

The front moves into NE NC but slows/stalls by Wed. However,
winds will turn northerly and temps will be more seasonable for
mid August (but still warm). Highs looks to be in the mid 80s
areawide. Lingering showers and cloudiness are possible across
NE NC and far SE VA, with the chance of thunder mainly confined
along the Albemarle Sound. Clearing out, however, to the NW.
Into Thurs, model discrepancies exist regarding how long the
front sits there and how far N moisture gets. Will mainly
utilize blended approach for PoPs which keeps a 30-50% chc of
rain across SE areas through Thurs. Lows will again be in the
mid 60s to low 70s.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 320 PM EDT Monday...

An area of sfc high pressure will build east from the central
U.S. during the middle of the week. The Bermuda high off the
coast will also build west into the Mid- Atlantic coast as the
high from the west weakens during the end of the week.
Temperatures gradually warm over the end of the week and into
the weekend as the Bermuda high off the coast brings in a more
warm and humid airmass from the S. Heading into the end of the
week and weekend, high temperatures will climb back into the 90s
inland and upper 80s to near 90F at the coast. Lows in the
extended period in the upper 60s-lower 70s. Generally weak flow
is expected over the majority of the central and eastern CONUS
into next weekended as large high pressure (at the sfc and
aloft) builds INVOF the Rockies and expands ewrd into the
central and eastern CONUS. Given large-scale subsidence, expect
little in the way of precip w/ PoPs aob 15%.

&&

.AVIATION /20Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 145 PM EDT Monday...

Prevailing VFR through the period. Low stratus (likely w/ IFR
CIGs) remains near the Atlantic coast of the VA Eastern Shore,
but this should stay away from any of the terminals. Elsewhere,
SCT CU and SCT-BKN mid-high level clouds are present. Winds are
S-SW at 5-10 kt. Showers and tstms are expected to increase in
coverage, especially N of RIC where the chc of rain is 50-60%,
through the rest of the aftn and evening. Isolated-SCT storms
expected elsewhere (30-50%). Brief IFR VSBY from heavy rain,
gusty winds, and frequent lightning would be expected in any
storm. A few lingering showers are possible across the N through
tonight and early Tues. Otherwise, mainly dry w/ high clouds.
SW winds increase some to 10-15 kt. Into Tues, showers and
storms are expected again, but the majority of the activity
holds off until after 18z.

Outlook: There is an even greater chc for showers and storms on
Tuesday w/ a SE moving cold front. Widespread showers and
storms are likely to form along an approaching slow-moving cold
front (especially across the SE), with heavy rainfall possible.
Some storms may be severe Tues. The cold front stalls over NC
into midweek, w/ occasional showers and cloudiness expected
over far SE VA and NE NC. To the N and NW, should stay mainly
dry w/ VFR conditions.

&&

.MARINE...
As of 355 PM EDT Monday...

Late this aftn, a weak frontal boundary was lifting through
extrm nrn portions of the marine area. Winds were E-S 5-15 kt
over the waters. Seas were ~2ft, and waves are 1 foot or less.
The frontal boundary will move north of the entire marine area
later this evening, allowing winds to turn back to the S and
eventually to the SSW late tonight through Tue morning while
increasing. Latest wind probs continue to indicate >50% chc for
18kt sustained winds over the Bay after midnight through Tue
morning. So, will have SCAs over the Bay from 1am-10am Tue for
SW winds of 15-20kt with gusts to 20-25kt. Did not include the
lower James at this point given the marginal nature of the
event, but they may be added later as needed. A few 25kt gusts
may occur across the coastal waters as well, but this is too
marginal for headlines. Waves build to 2-3ft in the Bay, 1-2 ft
in the rivers, with 3-4 ft seas on the coastal waters. By mid-
late Tue morning, winds are likely to drop back off to 10-15 kt
(or less), as the next cold front is slow to approach from the
NW. The frontal passage is progged for late Tue night and Wed
morning with winds briefly turning NW/N in its wake. The front
looks to stall/dissipate over the southern waters Wed and remain
along the NC coast into Thu, with winds becoming onshore later
Wed, and then SSE into Thu.

Low rip current risk continues at all area beaches for Tue and
Wed (seas offshore are expected to build to 3-4 ft Tue, but in
the surf zone will remain 2-3 ft or less).

&&

.AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...None.
NC...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Tuesday for NCZ012>017-030>032-
     102.
VA...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Tuesday for VAZ084-086>090-092-
     093-095>098-100-523>525.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 1 AM to 10 AM EDT Tuesday for
     ANZ630>632-634.

&&

SYNOPSIS...CP/SW
NEAR TERM...SW
SHORT TERM...CP/SW
LONG TERM...CP/SW
AVIATION...SW
MARINE...LKB/TMG
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 14, 3:52 PM EDT, 1 hour 52 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
352 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023

NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ084-086>090-092-093-095>098-100-523>525-
152000-
Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck-
Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck-Gloucester-Mathews-
Greensville-Sussex-Surry-James City-Southampton-Isle of Wight-
Norfolk/Portsmouth-Suffolk-Chesapeake-Virginia Beach-York-
Newport News-Hampton/Poquoson-
352 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT TUESDAY...

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Heat Advisory.

There is a slight risk of severe weather through this evening. The
primary threats are damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and frequent
lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Heat Advisory.

There is a slight risk of severe weather Tuesday afternoon. The
primary threats are damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and frequent
lightning. There is also a slight risk for excessive rainfall. Flash
flooding is possible in urban areas and other vulnerable locations.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

MDZ021>025-VAZ065>068-075>083-085-099-512>522-152000-
Dorchester-Wicomico-Somerset-Inland Worcester-Maryland Beaches-
Mecklenburg-Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Westmoreland-Richmond-
Northumberland-Lancaster-Brunswick-Dinwiddie-Prince George-
Charles City-New Kent-Middlesex-Accomack-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-
352 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Heat index values up to 105 degrees are possible through this
evening. Additionally, there is a slight risk of severe weather
through this evening. The primary threats are damaging wind gusts,
heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Heat index values up to 105 degrees are again possible Tuesday
afternoon ahead of a cold front.

There is a slight risk of severe weather Tuesday afternoon. The
primary threats are damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and frequent
lightning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

VAZ048-060>062-064-069-509>511-152000-
Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Powhatan-
Western Louisa-Eastern Louisa-Western Hanover-
352 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia and north
central Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

There is a slight risk of severe weather through this evening. The
primary threats are damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and frequent
lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

There is a marginal risk of severe weather Tuesday afternoon. The
primary threats are damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and frequent
lightning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 14, 3:10 PM EDT, 2 hours 34 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 14, 3:32 PM EDT, 2 hours 12 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 14, 4:12 PM EDT, 1 hour 32 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 14, 4:40 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 14, 4:57 PM EDT, 47 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 14, 5:20 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
520 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023

MDZ021-142200-
Dorchester MD-
520 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN DORCHESTER COUNTY
THROUGH 600 PM EDT...

At 519 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near South River to Taylors Island. Movement
was northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and heavy rain.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Reduced visibility and minor flooding
         possible.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Cambridge and University Of Maryland Center For Environmental
  Studies around 535 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by these storms include Madison, Taylors
Island, Woolford, Hudson, East New Market, Church Creek, and Lloyds.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3858 7588 3844 7630 3849 7634 3849 7627
      3852 7625 3851 7621 3854 7622 3853 7620
      3856 7621 3854 7628 3857 7631 3860 7626
      3862 7628 3863 7624 3860 7621 3863 7617
      3859 7616 3857 7603 3868 7593
TIME...MOT...LOC 2119Z 225DEG 30KT 3888 7644 3845 7628

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Butner

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 14, 2:02 AM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAKQ31 hr
Aug 14, 1:34 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQNottoway, Prince Edward41 min
Aug 14, 2:12 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQPowhatan48 min
Aug 14, 2:14 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQNottoway46 min
Aug 14, 2:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQWestmoreland23 min
Aug 14, 3:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQEssex, King William44 min
Aug 14, 3:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQMecklenburg50 min
Aug 14, 4:12 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQWestmoreland33 min
Aug 14, 4:57 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQSouthampton48 min
Aug 14, 5:27 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ63 min
Aug 14, 6:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningAKQAccomack47 min
Aug 14, 6:33 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ57 min
Aug 14, 6:38 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ67 min
Aug 14, 6:55 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQAccomack50 min
Aug 14, 7:00 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQNorthampton45 min
Aug 14, 7:20 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAKQ55 min
Aug 14, 3:32 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQCurrituck28 min
Aug 14, 6:07 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQPasquotank38 min
Aug 14, 6:33 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQCurrituck42 min
Aug 14, 4:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQDorchester65 min
Aug 14, 5:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQDorchester40 min
Aug 14, 6:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementAKQWicomico45 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Virginia, 2023Every tornado warning in 2023Tornadoes 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.