Alert archive / Virginia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 57, NWS Blacksburg, VA
NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 18, 2026, 12:20 PM EDT for Charlotte County, Halifax County, Virginia. It was in force for 40 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
- Jun 18, 2026, 12:20 PM EDT (16:20 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 18, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 40 min
- Issued by
- NWS Blacksburg, VA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Charlotte County, VA, Halifax County, VA
The radar
The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 132 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:19 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
Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 4.3 hours before the alert went out and 133 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 504 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -128 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 772 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 24 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 176 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 177 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.1
- Supercell composite
- 1.6
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 Jun 18, 6:50 AM EDT, 5 hours 30 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Severe storms possible this afternoon/evening. Breezy ahead of the front as well with increase fire danger for the NC piedmont. 2) Dry weekend followed by more chances for showers/storms early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 18, 6:50 AM EDT, 5 hours 30 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 650 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Increased Pops this morning in WV as line moves closer out central WV. Increased winds as well. Aviation updated. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Severe storms possible this afternoon/evening. Breezy ahead of the front as well with increase fire danger for the NC piedmont. 2) Dry weekend followed by more chances for showers/storms early next week. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1: Severe storms possible this afternoon and evening. Breezy ahead of the front as well with increase fire danger for the piedmont. Line of showers/storms moving across WV has its eyes set on southeast WV between 7-9am. A few stronger wind gust potentially severe may reach Greenbrier County and the rest of southeast WV in that time frame, then model show weakening trend as best energy/instability stay just west of us. Some lull in activity later this morning before more showers and storms develop midday into the afternoon. Decent mid-level westerly winds will exist this afternoon across our area. to Mid Atlantic. Convection may very well start pushing into our WV area after 8am. We have convective cirrus blowoff from upstream storms this morning, but models do showing clearing after late morning, so ample sunshine to heat the low levels and increase lapse rates. Tornado risk today is low but non-zero. As heating occurs during the day, boundary layer mixing as well as veering and weakening winds at 850 mb may reduce tornado risk. However, ample deep- layer shear and nearly unidirectional wind profiles will favor both cells and fast- moving clusters of storms producing damaging gusts and locally severe hail throughout the day. The surface front arrives this afternoon in the mountains sliding southeast of our CWA early Friday. Storms are expected to diminish somewhat by late Thursday evening, but showers may linger into Friday morning especially in NC. The remnants of Arthur will also push moisture our way, and higher PWATs may lead to localized flooding concerns. This may be a case if we get some training cells. Main flooding threat will be over the mountains of WV/far SW VA into NC. c Gradient, non-thunderstorms winds will also be pretty strong for June, acting more like Spring. 85H winds are forecast between 30-40kts which, if mixed to the surface, will result in windy conditions with surface gusts of 30-35 mph. Though sub- advisory winds, these speeds could still topple outdoor furniture, like deck umbrellas, and chairs. The breezy conditions will also couple with what is expected to be a very warm day (assuming clouds do not mute the numbers)...highs into the lower to mid 90s east of the mountains and the ongoing extreme drought, creating higher fire danger and the need to refrain from any open air burning. In summary, a call to action... 1. Secure patio furniture and lower canopies and umbrellas 2. Prep for possible power outages 3. No open air burning 4. Have a way to receive warnings 5. Watch the sky and take shelter if a storm approaches or a warning is issued. KEY MESSAGE 2: Dry weekend but more storm chances early next week. High pressure follows the front Saturday into Sunday. Models agree on a broad trough over the Great Lakes into the mid-MS Valley heading into Monday swinging through the mountains early next week. This feature with the front and good moisture advection should provide another opportunity for showers and storms, but like previous systems, fronts that come from the northwest favor the mountains (esp western slopes) for rainfall and to a much lesser extent east of the mountains. && .AVIATION /12Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Storms may impact LWB/BLF this morning in the 12-15z time frame, possibly reaching BCB. Winds from the west with these storms could gust over 40kts. Then a lull in activity before more showers/storms form around 15-18z. Kept the forecast mainly VFR outside of storms and tried to time some of the storms at BLF/LWB this afternoon with VCTS elsewhere. Outside of storms, gradient winds will be gusting 20-30kts. Once the front moves across, and moisture increases ahead of the remnants of Arthur expect cigs sinking to MVFR to IFR at most sites tonight with showers. Any thunder should start to diminish by late evening. Wind will also weaken later tonight. Could see some IFR fog at BLF/LWB as well late. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... Sub-VFR to last through Friday morning with showers exiting to the east and south. Then VFR conditions will be the norm for the remainder of the weekend. Isolated to scattered showers/storms may return to the mountains Sunday afternoon, with increasing chances into Monday with sub-VFR potential. Other sub-VFR possibilities may be some late night/early morning mountain valley/river fog during the weekend. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && DISCUSSION...PM/SH/WP AVIATION...DS/SH/WP
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 18, 7:10 AM EDT, 5 hours 10 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 710 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 NCZ004>006-020-191115- Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Yadkin- 710 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina and northwest North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and evening, with primarily damaging wind gusts or marginal hail the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. NCZ001>003-018-019-191115- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes- 710 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina and northwest North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and evening, with primarily damaging wind gusts or marginal hail the main threats. Localized flooding is also possible, especially in the mountains and urban areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. VAZ024-035-044>047-058-059-191115- Rockbridge-Amherst-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham- Halifax-Charlotte- 710 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 350 IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, south central Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today 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. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .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. VAZ007-009>020-022-023-032>034-043-WVZ042>044-507-508-191115- Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll- Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Patrick-Franklin- Bedford-Henry-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 710 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 350 IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today 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. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .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, Jun 18, 9:31 AM EDT, 2 hours 49 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
931 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
VAZ007-010-WVZ042-181345-
Tazewell VA-Bland VA-Mercer WV-
931 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT TAZEWELL...NORTHERN BLAND AND
SOUTHWESTERN MERCER COUNTIES THROUGH 945 AM EDT...
At 931 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Glen Burke to near Rocky Gap. Movement was
southeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Bluefield...
Richlands...
Tazewell...
Cedar Bluff...
Rocky Gap...
Bastian...
and Mechanicsburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in
ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and
minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra caution to avoid
hydroplaning.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until noon EDT for
southwestern Virginia...and southeastern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3716 8187 3717 8187 3720 8176 3724 8174
3724 8172 3720 8168 3721 8156 3724 8151
3725 8150 3725 8148 3728 8141 3731 8111
3715 8089 3707 8184 3711 8189 3714 8190
TIME...MOT...LOC 1331Z 305DEG 35KT 3718 8193 3724 8115
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DSLocal storm report, Jun 18, 9:50 AM EDT, 2 hours 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
950 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0808 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NW Sandstone 37.77N 80.89W
06/18/2026 Summers WV 911 Call Center
Tree down blocking River Road.
&&
WHPSpecial weather statement, Jun 18, 9:54 AM EDT, 2 hours 26 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
954 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
VAZ023-034-181415-
Botetourt VA-Bedford VA-
954 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL BEDFORD AND EAST CENTRAL
BOTETOURT COUNTIES THROUGH 1015 AM EDT...
At 953 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Sedalia to near Montvale. Movement was
east at 60 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Bedford...
Montvale...
Big Island...
Stewartsville...
Coleman Falls...
Peaks Of Otter Summit...
and Sedalia.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in
ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and
minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra caution to avoid
hydroplaning.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until noon EDT for
central, south central, southwestern and west central Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3753 7935 3751 7934 3751 7931 3750 7930
3723 7959 3728 7985 3729 7985 3755 7957
3755 7952 3753 7950 3755 7948 3755 7937
TIME...MOT...LOC 1353Z 269DEG 52KT 3752 7950 3734 7971
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DSSpecial weather statement, Jun 18, 10:10 AM EDT, 2 hours 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1010 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
VAZ007-010-181430-
Tazewell VA-Bland VA-
1010 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN TAZEWELL AND
SOUTHWESTERN BLAND COUNTIES THROUGH 1030 AM EDT...
At 1009 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Gratton, or near Tazewell, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Bluefield...
Tazewell...
Ceres...
Burkes Garden...
Clear Fork...
Gratton...
and Tiptop.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in
ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and
minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra caution to avoid
hydroplaning.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until noon EDT for
southwestern Virginia...and southeastern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3722 8148 3722 8120 3710 8118 3706 8122
3705 8122 3702 8128 3702 8129 3699 8133
3704 8155
TIME...MOT...LOC 1409Z 272DEG 39KT 3712 8144
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DSSpecial weather statement, Jun 18, 10:25 AM EDT, 1 hour 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1025 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
VAZ033-034-044-181500-
Franklin VA-Bedford VA-Pittsylvania VA-
1025 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHWESTERN PITTSYLVANIA...SOUTHWESTERN BEDFORD AND NORTHEASTERN
FRANKLIN COUNTIES THROUGH 1100 AM EDT...
At 1024 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Westlake Corner, or 8 miles southwest of Moneta, moving east at 40
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Moneta...
Penhook...
Huddleston...
Burnt Chimney...
Northwest Smith Mountain Lake...
Westlake Corner...
and Southern Smith Mountain Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
If on or near Smith Mountain Lake, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until noon EDT for
central, south central, southwestern and west central Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3691 7951 3707 7995 3721 7977 3715 7938
3706 7944 3706 7940 3709 7940 3709 7939
3711 7937 3712 7938 3712 7935 3714 7934
3712 7932
TIME...MOT...LOC 1424Z 287DEG 34KT 3711 7975
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DSSpecial weather statement, Jun 18, 12:02 PM EDT, 18 minutes before
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</html>The office that day
Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 7:50 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Alleghany, Bath | 55 min |
| Jun 18, 8:24 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Bland, Giles, Tazewell | 51 min |
| Jun 18, 8:49 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Alleghany, City of Covington | 26 min |
| Jun 18, 9:09 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Craig, Giles | 21 min |
| Jun 18, 9:17 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Tazewell | 13 min |
| Jun 18, 9:23 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Botetourt, Craig, Montgomery, Roanoke, City of Roanoke, City of Salem | 37 min |
| Jun 18, 9:31 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Bland, Tazewell | 14 min |
| Jun 18, 9:54 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Bedford | 21 min |
| Jun 18, 10:10 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Tazewell | 20 min |
| Jun 18, 10:25 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Franklin | 35 min |
| Jun 18, 12:02 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Halifax, City of Danville | 28 min |
| Jun 18, 12:17 PM EDT | Flood Watch | RNK | Bland, Carroll, Giles, Grayson, Halifax, Henry and 10 more | 15 hr |
| Jun 18, 1:04 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | City of Danville | 26 min |
| Jun 18, 2:04 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | City of Danville | 26 min |
| Jun 18, 5:02 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Patrick | 36 min |
| Jun 18, 4:45 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Alleghany | 30 min |
| Jun 18, 5:00 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Surry | 30 min |
| Jun 18, 5:05 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Alleghany, Ashe, Surry, Wilkes | 55 min |
| Jun 18, 5:54 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Surry | 36 min |
| Jun 18, 5:58 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Alleghany | 32 min |
| Jun 18, 6:01 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Stokes, Surry, Yadkin | 45 min |
| Jun 18, 6:04 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Alleghany, Surry, Wilkes | 18 min |
| Jun 18, 6:16 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga, Wilkes | 3 hr |
| Jun 18, 6:30 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Rockingham, Stokes | 43 min |
| Jun 18, 7:06 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Rockingham | 24 min |
| Jun 18, 8:55 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Monroe | 20 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.