Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2024

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 45, NWS Blacksburg, VA

May 18, 2024Surry County, North Carolina

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 18, 2024, 3:46 PM EDT for Surry County, North Carolina. It was in force for 59 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 18, 2024, 3:46 PM EDT (19:46 UTC)
Expired
May 18, 2024, 4:45 PM EDT
In force
59 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Surry County, NC

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 77 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:47 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 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 18, 1:44 PM EDT, 2 hours 2 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 18, 1:44 PM EDT, 2 hours 2 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
144 PM EDT Sat May 18 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
A nearly stationary front across northern North Carolina will
bring another round of showers and thunderstorms, with locally
heavy rain, across the area through this evening. As this front
drifts south tonight, the chances of precipitation decrease
with only scattered mountain showers and storms expected Sunday.
High pressure will bring dry weather from Monday into most of
Wednesday, before an approaching cold front Thursday brings the
next chance of showers.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 130 PM EDT Saturday...

Key Message:

1) Heavy rain potential continues through this evening.

2) Drier tomorrow with only a slight chance of rain for the
mountains.

Satellite and surface analysis indicates that a stalled
boundary is situated along the Virginia/North Carolina border.
Some clearing has already occured within this region and dew
points are already into the mid and upper 60s. As such, SBCAPE
has already begun to trend upward to around 1000 J/kg.
Expecting some upward trend in instability to continue as
surface heating across the Carolina counties has brought
temperatures into the mid 70s. Some convection has already begun
within the VA/NC border and expecting this activity to continue
to increase in coverage over the next several hours.

The main threat today is flooding, with possibly a wind threat
in some stronger storms. A large hail threat will be limited
owing to the higher freezing level.

Relatively strong northeast flow continues over the Piedmont of
Virginia has held low clouds and cooler air in place, therefore
very stable and not expecting much, if any rain from Danville
to Lynchburg and east.

Cool air wedge strengthens overnight and cooler air and low
clouds will cover a large portion of the area by tomorrow
morning. Expecting some fog development as well. May see some
erosion of the wedge throughout the day tomorrow. A chance of some
differential heating/orographic lift downpours or isolated
thunderstorms across the western mountains in the afternoon,
but otherwise most of the area should remain dry with the
northeast flow in place.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 1215 PM EDT Saturday...

Key Messages:

1). Mainly Dry through the period for a change.

2). Temperatures near seasonal normal.

The weak and broad upper trough across the eastern U.S. will
lift out of the region Sunday allowing an upper ridge to build
eastward and northeastward into the region from the south
central U.S. Dynamics/forcing will be limited under the upper
ridge with warming temperatures aloft. At the surface, a
lingering wedge will remain across the area into Monday, but
gradually dissipate through the period. Increased sunshine, less
precipitation, and the dissipating wedge will allow
temperatures to warm back to seasonal levels compared to the
last few rather cool days. Other than a scattering of diurnally
driven showers across the western mountains, and principally the
southwest VA/northwest NC mountains, little if any
precipitation is expected through this time frame.

Temperatures will range mostly from the 50s at night to the 70s
mountains into the lower 80s elsewhere through the period.

/Confidence Levels in Forecast Parameters/
- Moderate to High Confidence in Temperatures,
- Moderate Confidence in Precipitation Probabilities,
- Moderate Confidence in Wind Direction and Speed.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 1215 PM EDT Saturday...

Key Messages:

1). Increasingly unsettled weather pattern evolves during the
later half of the week.

2). Temperatures remain near seasonal normals.

Upper ridging across the eastern U.S. will gradually break down
through the later half of the week as a strong short wave tracks
from the Midwest toward the Great Lakes. An associated cold
front will move slowly into the region Thu-Fri. Shower and
thunderstorm chances will increase as the front approaches from
the west, especially along and west of the Blue Ridge. Timing is
a bit uncertain as the ECMWF is quite a bit slower than the GFS.
The ECMWF would delay the bulk of the precipitation until Friday
going into the weekend. Activity looks to be somewhat scattered
and mostly diurnal at this point with a low severe threat. Heavy
rain may eventually be a greater concern, but too far out to
hone in on any specific threats.

Temperatures are expected to remain relatively near seasonal
normals with a slight cooling trend from midweek to the weekend
as clouds and precipitation coverage increase. Look for lows
mostly in the 50s to lower 60s urban areas with high
temperatures primarily in the 70s mountains with lower 80s
Piedmont.

/Confidence Levels in Forecast Parameters/
- Moderate Confidence in Temperatures,
- Moderate Confidence in Precipitation Probabilities,
- Moderate Confidence in Wind Direction and Speed.

&&

.AVIATION /17Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 140 PM EDT Saturday...

Mostly a mix of VFR and MVFR this afternoon. Should see this
continue through the afternoon and evening. Scattered showers
and thunderstorms have already begun to develop and coverage of
these will continue to increase through the remainder of the
afternoon/evening. Storms will be capable of very heavy rainfall
and gusty winds.

Cool northeast flow over the Piedmont of Virginia will continue
to supply OVC to BKN cigs of 010 to 015. Northeast flow
strengthens tonight and will begun to see IFR/LIFR cigs through
the overnight and into Sunday morning. Some improvements through
Sunday morning, but still sub VFR is likely.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...

A few showers or isolated storms in the mountains on Sunday
afternoon. MVFR/IFR clouds and showers remain in the area
through Sunday night.

Some improvements by Monday as the slow moving storm system
begins to depart east. Tuesday is the most likely day to be VFR.

&&

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

&&

SYNOPSIS...BMG
NEAR TERM...BMG
SHORT TERM...RAB
LONG TERM...RAB
AVIATION...BMG
Hazardous weather outlook, May 18, 1:57 PM EDT, 1 hour 49 minutes before
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In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 18, 1:35 PM EDT, 2 hours 11 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 18, 2:49 PM EDT, 57 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 18, 2:52 PM EDT, 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
252 PM EDT Sat May 18 2024

NCZ003-181915-
Surry NC-
252 PM EDT Sat May 18 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN SURRY COUNTY THROUGH
315 PM EDT...

At 252 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Mountain Park. This thunderstorm was nearly stationary.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Fairview...
Dobson...
Mountain Park...
Bottom...
and Pine Ridge.

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 3634 8088 3640 8093 3645 8093 3651 8068
      3631 8066
TIME...MOT...LOC 1852Z 267DEG 4KT 3640 8084

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

BMG
Special weather statement, May 18, 2:54 PM EDT, 52 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
254 PM EDT Sat May 18 2024

NCZ004-181930-
Stokes NC-
254 PM EDT Sat May 18 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL STOKES COUNTY THROUGH
330 PM EDT...

At 253 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Hanging Rock State Park, or near Danbury. This thunderstorm was
nearly stationary.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Danbury...
Sandy Ridge...
Hanging Rock State Park...
Capella...
Meadows...
Prestonville...
and Vade Mecum.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3635 8038 3646 8038 3653 8011 3632 8014
TIME...MOT...LOC 1853Z 267DEG 4KT 3640 8030

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

BMG
Special weather statement, May 18, 3:16 PM EDT, 30 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
316 PM EDT Sat May 18 2024

NCZ004-005-181945-
Stokes NC-Rockingham NC-
316 PM EDT Sat May 18 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN STOKES AND
SOUTHWESTERN ROCKINGHAM COUNTIES THROUGH 345 PM EDT...

At 315 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Pine Hall, or near Madison, moving east at 5 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Mayodan...
Madison...
Pine Hall...
Intelligence...
Dillard...
Ellisboro...
and Belews Lake.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3632 8015 3644 8012 3646 7985 3625 7990
      3625 7994
TIME...MOT...LOC 1915Z 277DEG 5KT 3635 8005

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

BMG
Special weather statement, May 18, 3:44 PM EDT, 2 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 18, 12:20 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKHalifax25 min
May 18, 12:43 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKHalifax32 min
May 18, 1:15 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKHalifax6 hr
May 18, 2:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKPulaski, Wythe41 min
May 18, 3:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCarroll26 min
May 18, 3:57 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Patrick50 min
May 18, 3:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCity of Galax31 min
May 18, 4:03 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKMontgomery27 min
May 18, 4:10 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKMontgomery110 min
May 18, 4:40 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKCarroll, Grayson, City of Galax81 min
May 18, 1:35 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKWilkes40 min
May 18, 2:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSurry23 min
May 18, 2:54 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKStokes36 min
May 18, 3:16 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKRockingham29 min
May 18, 3:20 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKSurry115 min
May 18, 3:30 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKRockingham, Stokes2 hr
May 18, 3:44 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSurry31 min
May 18, 3:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKRockingham37 min
May 18, 4:16 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKWilkes32 min
May 18, 4:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKYadkin30 min
May 18, 4:48 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKWilkes87 min
May 18, 4:55 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKStokes, Surry, Yadkin29 min
May 18, 5:03 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKSurry, Yadkin117 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Carolina, 2024Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2024

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.