Alert archive / Virginia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 96, NWS Blacksburg, VA
NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 6, 2026, 8:49 PM EDT for Bedford County, Botetourt County, Virginia. It was in force for 38 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 6, 2026, 8:49 PM EDT (00:49 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 6, 2026, 9:27 PM EDT
- In force
- 38 min
- Issued by
- NWS Blacksburg, VA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Bedford County, VA, Botetourt County, VA
The nearest sounding before it
Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 00:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 30 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
- 472 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -45 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1207 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 15 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 23 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 40 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
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 6, 7:20 PM EDT, 1 hour 29 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Key Messages 1: Periods of shower and thunderstorm activity will persist through much of this week.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 6, 7:20 PM EDT, 1 hour 29 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA Issued by National Weather Service Raleigh NC 720 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Aviation and Forecast Discussion Updated. && .KEY MESSAGES... Key Messages 1: Periods of shower and thunderstorm activity will persist through much of this week. && .DISCUSSION... Key Message 1: Periods of shower and thunderstorm activity will persist through much of this week. KRNK sounding shows a PWAT of 1.63 inches this morning, which is statistically above the 90th percentile climatologically for this time of the year. Given this above normal PWATs, afternoon shower and thunderstorm activity will be able to produce extremely efficient rainfall rates across the region, with warm rain processes likely occurring with some storm activity. While a surface stationary front is situated north of the region across the Pennsylvania and Maryland border today, there is a mid level shortwave disturbance that is west of the region across western Tennessee and Arkansas today that will provide some divergence aloft across the region. Also visible satellite shows a mid-level cloud deck that has moved across areas primarily west of the Blue Ridge. This cloud deck is moving towards the northeast, and has halted daytime heating over regions it has moved over. This will lead to some complications in development of instability through this afternoon as surface heating has become limited. Out east across the Piedmonts of VA/NC, clear skies have allowed temperatures to currently reach the low 90s, which will certainly support thunderstorm activity today. Given this trend, there is some uncertainty in storm development for this afternoon, especially with CAM guidance such as the HRRR, RRFS, NAM3K, and others showing developing storms where the aforementioned mid level cloud deck is limiting instability. Regardless, SBCAPE values in the 2000 J/Kg range have already developed across eastern portions of the forecast area based off of the SPC mesoanalys is suggesting that enough instability exists for storms to feed off of through the afternoon and evening. The main threat with these storms will likely be localized flash flooding with the PWATs mentioned above; however, strong gusty winds up to 60 mph can’t be ruled out, especially across the Piedmont where DCAPE values are still in t he 700-800 J/Kg range. With the PWATs mentioned above, rainfall rates in the 2-4 inch per hour rate will be common, and localized areas may see totals up to 3-4 inches each day this week with storms that develop and start training or get hung up on the terrain of the Blue Ridge. As the aforementioned shortwave disturbance slowly pushes east on Tuesday and Wednesday, it will continue to lead to increased divergence aloft and forcing for ascent across the region. This will continue to provide support for shower and thunderstorm activity both days with a low potential for organized severe activity given the lack of deep layer shear, with only 10-15 knots of 0-6km shear forecast. Storm motions will also likely be this slow, which will only exacerbate the flash flood potential, especially since PWATs are expected to remain above the 90th percentile. Overall, expect daily scattered to isolated shower and thunderstorm coverage across the region, with the potential for some localized flash flooding. Temperatures look to remain near seasonal values through the middle of the week, with hotter temperatures in the mid to upper 90s returning for the Piedmont by the end of the work week. Looking ahead to this coming weekend, another cold front looks to approach from the northwest, which will likely bring continued and increased coverage of showers and thunderstorms across the region. && .AVIATION /00Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Mainly VFR this evening outside any showers/storms that are widely scattered. Higher confidence in BCB having a storm in the 00-01z, time frame with others at PROB30. Showers fade after 04z, and potential exists for sub-VFR cigs/vsbys late tonight with increased low level moisture. Higher confidence at LWB/BCB having IFR or lower cigs/vsbys. VFR after 14z Tuesday with more scattering of storms in the afternoon. Winds stay light and mainly southwest to northwest outside any storms. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK… Scattered, mainly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms could continue for each day through the remainder of this week. Heavy downpours, gusty winds, and sub-VFR conditions are all possible in any of the stronger storms. Otherwise, most of the time will feature VFR ceilings and visibilities except for any restrictions during convection or at night with any river valley fog. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && DISCUSSION...EB AVIATION...WP
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 6, 2:37 PM EDT, 6 hours 12 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA Issued by National Weather Service Raleigh NC 237 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026 NCZ002>006-019-020-VAZ013-014-016>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058- 059-071845- Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Wilkes-Yadkin-Pulaski- Montgomery-Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt- Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania- Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte- 237 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Widely scattered thunderstorms will continue to develop this afternoon and evening. A few storms may produce damaging wind gusts and very heavy rain that may result in localized flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Thunderstorms will again develop on Tuesday, and will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and very heavy rain that may result in localized flash flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ001-018-VAZ007-009>012-015-WVZ042>044-507-508-071845- Ashe-Watauga-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Grayson-Mercer-Summers- Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 237 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest North Carolina, southwest Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Scattered thunderstorms will continue to develop this afternoon and evening, with a few becoming capable of producing damaging wind gusts and very heavy rain that may result in localized flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Thunderstorms will again develop on Tuesday, and will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and very heavy rain that may result in localized flash flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 6, 7:00 PM EDT, 1 hour 49 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Service Notice</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
<main class="wrap">
<section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
<div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
<h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
<p id="message1">
The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
</p>
<p id="message2">
Please try again in a few minutes.
</p>
<p class="small" id="detail">
If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
</p>
</section>
</main>
<script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>Special weather statement, Jul 6, 7:02 PM EDT, 1 hour 47 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Service Notice</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
<main class="wrap">
<section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
<div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
<h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
<p id="message1">
The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
</p>
<p id="message2">
Please try again in a few minutes.
</p>
<p class="small" id="detail">
If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
</p>
</section>
</main>
<script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>Special weather statement, Jul 6, 7:13 PM EDT, 1 hour 36 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Service Notice</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
<main class="wrap">
<section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
<div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
<h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
<p id="message1">
The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
</p>
<p id="message2">
Please try again in a few minutes.
</p>
<p class="small" id="detail">
If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
</p>
</section>
</main>
<script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>Special weather statement, Jul 6, 8:24 PM EDT, 25 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
Issued by National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
824 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026
VAZ034-035-045-070045-
Amherst VA-Campbell VA-Bedford VA-
824 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN BEDFORD...AND SOUTHWESTERN AMHERST COUNTIES AND THE CITY
OF LYNCHBURG THROUGH 845 PM EDT...
At 822 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Boonsboro, or near Forest, moving northeast at 10 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...
Lynchburg...
Forest...
Big Island...
Coleman Falls...
Boonsboro...
Goode...
and Sedalia.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3729 7940 3747 7950 3761 7922 3736 7908
TIME...MOT...LOC 0022Z 246DEG 7KT 3743 7934
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RWHSpecial weather statement, Jul 6, 8:26 PM EDT, 23 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
Issued by National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
826 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026
WVZ043-070100-
Summers WV-
826 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
CENTRAL SUMMERS COUNTY THROUGH 900 PM EDT...
At 825 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Ellison, or over Pipestem, moving north at 10 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...
Hinton...
Pipestem...
Ellison...
Buck...
Bluestone State Park...
Jumping Branch...
and Pipestem Resort State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3770 8091 3769 8090 3767 8090 3768 8088
3771 8089 3768 8074 3747 8087 3749 8095
3758 8108 3760 8108 3761 8106 3763 8107
3764 8107 3769 8098 3772 8097 3772 8095
TIME...MOT...LOC 0025Z 195DEG 8KT 3757 8096
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RWHSpecial weather statement, Jul 6, 8:37 PM EDT, 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
Issued by National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
837 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026
VAZ023-034-070100-
Botetourt VA-Bedford VA-
837 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHWESTERN BEDFORD AND SOUTHEASTERN BOTETOURT COUNTIES THROUGH 900
PM EDT...
At 836 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Montvale, moving northeast at 10 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...
Buchanan...
Troutville...
Montvale...
Nace...
Arcadia...
Peaks Of Otter Summit...
and Springwood.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3728 7967 3743 7993 3763 7968 3742 7942
TIME...MOT...LOC 0036Z 224DEG 8KT 3740 7969
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RWHThe office that day
Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 8:24 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | City of Lynchburg | 21 min |
| Jul 6, 8:33 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Roanoke, City of Roanoke, City of Salem | 73 min |
| Jul 6, 8:37 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Botetourt | 23 min |
| Jul 6, 8:57 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Appomattox | 33 min |
| Jul 6, 11:32 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Henry, Pittsylvania, City of Danville | 3 hr |
| Jul 7, 12:00 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Patrick | 2 hr |
| Jul 7, 12:15 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RNK | Henry, Patrick | 2 hr |
| Jul 7, 2:24 AM EDT | Flood Watch | RNK | Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte and 7 more | 20 hr |
| Jul 7, 3:16 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Amherst, Bedford, City of Lynchburg | 44 min |
| Jul 7, 4:03 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | City of Lynchburg | 27 min |
| Jul 7, 4:13 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Pittsylvania | 32 min |
| Jul 7, 4:32 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Amherst, Appomattox, Campbell, City of Lynchburg | 110 min |
| Jul 7, 4:36 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Appomattox | 39 min |
| Jul 7, 4:50 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Halifax | 25 min |
| Jul 7, 5:35 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Halifax | 25 min |
| Jul 7, 5:48 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Charlotte, Halifax | 57 min |
| Jul 7, 6:20 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Charlotte, Halifax | 3 hr |
| Jul 7, 6:32 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Charlotte, Halifax | 38 min |
| Jul 7, 6:45 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Franklin | 45 min |
| Jul 7, 7:06 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Franklin, Henry, Pittsylvania | 54 min |
| Jul 7, 7:08 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Franklin | 2 hr |
| Jul 7, 4:27 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Caswell | 33 min |
| Jul 6, 8:19 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Mercer | 5 hr |
| Jul 6, 8:26 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Summers | 34 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.