Alert archive / Virginia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 142, NWS Blacksburg, VA

July 28, 20267 counties in Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 28, 2026, 4:11 PM EDT for 7 counties in Virginia. It was in force for 64 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
Jul 28, 2026, 4:11 PM EDT (20:11 UTC)
Expired
Jul 28, 2026, 5:15 PM EDT
In force
64 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

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

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 44 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:10 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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 28, 1:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 8.2 hours before the alert went out and 39 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 2026-07-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 500 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 2026-07-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 137 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
500 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-115 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1072 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
20 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
137 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
150 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
1.0

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 Jul 28, 1:49 PM EDT, 2 hours 22 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Key Message 1: Another round of more potent thunderstorms this afternoon into evening. Storms have the potential to be strong/severe.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 28, 1:49 PM EDT, 2 hours 22 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
149 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued area-wide through 8 PM
this evening.

Another second, more potent round of storms is expected through this
afternoon into evening. Damaging winds will be the main threat, with
a secondary tornado and hail threat.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
Key Message 1: Another round of more potent thunderstorms this
afternoon into evening. Storms have the potential to be
strong/severe.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Key Message 1: Another round of more potent thunderstorms this
afternoon into evening. Storms have the potential to be
strong/severe.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect until 8 PM this evening area-
wide.

First impulse and associated rain has largely exited the area. Much
of the previous activity was stratiform while more cellular
development occurred near the western CWA. Some segments of strong
storms have quickly triggered across WV and will enter our NW
shortly. This was supported earlier this morning with decent CAM
consensus and some scattering of the cloud deck has occurred
allowing for destabilization. The upper NW flow looks to still
support some shortwave impulse influencing dynamic forcing for
continued development. Shear parameters look quite favorable for
organized storm modes along with possible supercells interacting
with low level helicity. Still thinking damaging winds are the
primary threat then large hail and isolated tornadoes as secondary
threats.

As far as the flash flooding threat, there was already some training
cells in the west earlier that prompted and verified warning
issuance. This could continue to be an issue for other areas that
see similar cell trends with the transition into the afternoon round
of convection. The morning sounding indicated about a 1.5 inch PWAT
so these storms should be efficient precip producers.

By later this evening activity should wane and exit southward, then
much of the rest of this week should be dry and dominated with an
upper ridge of high pressure. The next main chance for precip looks
to hold off until next weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...

While some shower and thunderstorm activity has pushed
southeastward, another round of development is possible through the
afternoon that could have strong to severe VRB gusts and reduced
vsbys. Some clearing could occur later this evening into the
overnight, while cigs of MVFR and lower could form near BLF to LWB.
Outside of any storms, winds this afternoon should be west to SW 12-
14 kts gusting to the low 20s, then shift NW this evening through
Wednesday with enhanced gusts again during the daytime.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... Gusty, post frontal winds are expected
Wednesday, but VFR. The rest of the week through Friday will also be
mainly VFR, outside of any morning fog. Precipitation chances
increase again by Saturday.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...AB
AVIATION...AB/BMG
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 28, 2:08 PM EDT, 2 hours 3 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
208 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-
WVZ042>044-507-508-291815-
Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes-
Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-
Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-
Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-
Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-
Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier-
208 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 526 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

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.

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

   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

A second round of strong to severe storms will be capable of
producing damaging winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes this afternoon
into evening. Flash flooding is also a threat.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are requested to report hail of any size, as well
as any damage caused by thunderstorm winds in their area.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 28, 2:37 PM EDT, 1 hour 34 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 28, 3:14 PM EDT, 57 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 28, 3:35 PM EDT, 36 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jul 28, 4:02 PM EDT, 9 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jul 28, 4:03 PM EDT, 8 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 28, 4:05 PM EDT, 6 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
405 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCZ019-282030-
Wilkes NC-
405 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
SOUTHWESTERN WILKES COUNTY THROUGH 430 PM EDT...

At 405 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Wilkesboro Reservoir, or near Boomer, moving southeast at 20 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.

Locations impacted include...
Wilkesboro...
Boomer...
Wilkesboro Reservoir...
Buck...
Elkville...
Moravian Falls...
and Cricket.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
northwestern North Carolina...and southwestern Virginia.

&&

LAT...LON 3604 8138 3604 8140 3605 8139 3607 8141
      3608 8145 3622 8131 3606 8099 3603 8107
      3604 8114 3603 8117 3604 8120 3603 8127
      3600 8132
TIME...MOT...LOC 2005Z 310DEG 19KT 3611 8132

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

AS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 28, 10:41 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKTazewell64 min
Jul 28, 10:51 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe54 min
Jul 28, 10:59 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKTazewell3 hr
Jul 28, 11:23 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe5 hr
Jul 28, 11:43 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKGrayson, Smyth, Wythe62 min
Jul 28, 12:18 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKCarroll, Grayson, Smyth, Wythe, City of Galax5 hr
Jul 28, 12:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Grayson, City of Galax53 min
Jul 28, 1:25 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKPulaski35 min
Jul 28, 1:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Patrick, Pulaski, Wythe60 min
Jul 28, 2:08 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAlleghany67 min
Jul 28, 2:37 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKTazewell23 min
Jul 28, 2:49 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe56 min
Jul 28, 3:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCraig, Montgomery, Roanoke64 min
Jul 28, 3:14 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBland31 min
Jul 28, 3:22 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKBland, Tazewell, Wythe23 min
Jul 28, 3:27 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBath, Rockbridge25 min
Jul 28, 3:35 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKFloyd, Pulaski, City of Radford25 min
Jul 28, 3:42 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKFloyd, Franklin, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski41 min
Jul 28, 3:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Carroll, Grayson, Pulaski, Wythe, City of Galax23 min
Jul 28, 4:37 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKGrayson, Smyth53 min
Jul 28, 4:45 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRNKCity of Roanoke2 hr
Jul 28, 4:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKHenry24 min
Jul 28, 4:55 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKHenry, Patrick65 min
Jul 28, 2:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKWilkes32 min
Jul 28, 4:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKWilkes25 min
Jul 28, 4:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKWilkes24 min
Jul 28, 4:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKWatauga33 min
Jul 28, 5:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKAshe, Watauga, Wilkes36 min
Jul 28, 5:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCaswell, Rockingham49 min
Jul 28, 6:25 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKRockingham20 min
Jul 28, 7:09 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCaswell36 min
Jul 28, 7:24 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCaswell43 min
Jul 28, 1:28 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKGreenbrier47 min
Jul 28, 2:32 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKGreenbrier, Monroe, Summers28 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Virginia, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

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.