Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 147, NWS Blacksburg, VA

July 28, 2026Caswell County, Rockingham County, North Carolina

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 28, 2026, 5:59 PM EDT for Caswell County, Rockingham County, North Carolina. It was in force for 49 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, 5:59 PM EDT (21:59 UTC)
Expired: Jul 28, 2026, 6:48 PM EDT
In force: 49 min
Issued by: NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Caswell County, NC, Rockingham County, NC

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 95 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:03 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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Jul 28, 1:14 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 10.0 hours before the alert went out and 47 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 321 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -111 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1087 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 29 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 56 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 70 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 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, 4 hours 10 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, 4 hours 10 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, 4:47 PM EDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before

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In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 28, 4:03 PM EDT, 1 hour 56 minutes before

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Special weather statement, Jul 28, 4:05 PM EDT, 1 hour 54 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

Local storm report, Jul 28, 4:18 PM EDT, 1 hour 41 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
418 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

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

0218 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 NE Dugspur            36.84N 80.59W
07/28/2026                   Carroll            VA   Public

            Tree down on Floyd Pike Rd.

&&

AKB

Local storm report, Jul 28, 4:20 PM EDT, 1 hour 39 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
420 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

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

0420 PM     Hail             1 NNW Beech Mountain    36.22N 81.89W
07/28/2026  M0.25 Inch       Watauga            NC   Cocorahs

&&

WHP

Special weather statement, Jul 28, 4:27 PM EDT, 1 hour 32 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
427 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCZ018-282100-
Watauga NC-
427 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
WATAUGA COUNTY THROUGH 500 PM EDT...

At 427 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Rominger, or near Sugar Grove, moving southeast at 25 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...
Boone...
Blowing Rock...
Beech Mountain...
Foscoe...
Sugar Grove...
Blowing Rock In Caldwell County...
and Beech Mountain In Avery County.

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 3633 8185 3620 8148 3619 8146 3618 8148
      3614 8150 3612 8154 3612 8171 3611 8181
      3616 8183 3619 8186 3619 8189 3621 8191
      3623 8191
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 300DEG 21KT 3622 8182

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

AS

Special weather statement, Jul 28, 4:51 PM EDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
451 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCZ004-005-VAZ032-043-282115-
Stokes NC-Rockingham NC-Henry VA-Patrick VA-
451 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN STOKES...NORTHWESTERN ROCKINGHAM...SOUTHWESTERN HENRY
AND SOUTHEASTERN PATRICK COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM EDT...

At 451 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Critz, or near Spencer, moving southeast at 30 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...
Mayodan...
Madison...
Stoneville...
Spencer...
Sandy Ridge...
Ridgeway...
and Critz.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
north central and northwestern North Carolina...and south central,
southwestern and west central Virginia.

&&

LAT...LON 3660 8027 3674 8014 3659 7984 3647 7987
      3636 8005
TIME...MOT...LOC 2051Z 303DEG 25KT 3663 8013

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.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 28, 10:41 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Tazewell	64 min
Jul 28, 10:51 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Bland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe	54 min
Jul 28, 10:59 AM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Tazewell	3 hr
Jul 28, 11:23 AM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Bland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe	5 hr
Jul 28, 11:43 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Grayson, Smyth, Wythe	62 min
Jul 28, 12:18 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Wythe, City of Galax	5 hr
Jul 28, 12:22 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Carroll, Grayson, City of Galax	53 min
Jul 28, 1:25 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Pulaski	35 min
Jul 28, 1:30 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Carroll, Floyd, Patrick, Pulaski, Wythe	60 min
Jul 28, 2:08 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Alleghany	67 min
Jul 28, 2:37 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Tazewell	23 min
Jul 28, 2:49 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Bland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe	56 min
Jul 28, 3:11 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Craig, Montgomery, Roanoke	64 min
Jul 28, 3:14 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Bland	31 min
Jul 28, 3:22 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Bland, Tazewell, Wythe	23 min
Jul 28, 3:27 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Bath, Rockbridge	25 min
Jul 28, 3:35 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Floyd, Pulaski, City of Radford	25 min
Jul 28, 3:42 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Floyd, Franklin, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski	41 min
Jul 28, 3:45 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Pulaski, Wythe, City of Galax	23 min
Jul 28, 4:11 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, Roanoke, City of Roanoke and 1 more	64 min
Jul 28, 4:37 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Grayson, Smyth	53 min
Jul 28, 4:45 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	City of Roanoke	2 hr
Jul 28, 4:51 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Henry	24 min
Jul 28, 4:55 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Henry, Patrick	65 min
Jul 28, 2:13 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Wilkes	32 min
Jul 28, 4:05 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Wilkes	25 min
Jul 28, 4:21 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Wilkes	24 min
Jul 28, 4:27 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Watauga	33 min
Jul 28, 5:30 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Ashe, Watauga, Wilkes	36 min
Jul 28, 6:25 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Rockingham	20 min
Jul 28, 7:09 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Caswell	36 min
Jul 28, 7:24 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Caswell	43 min
Jul 28, 1:28 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Greenbrier	47 min
Jul 28, 2:32 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers	28 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Carolina, 2026 Every 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.