A cold front combined with an upper level low pressure system to trigger numerous showers and thunderstorms central and northern Virginia during the afternoon and evening of July 29th. Several of these storms became severe, producing damaging winds and large hail.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS LWX wrote it up.
A cold front combined with an upper level low pressure system to trigger numerous showers and thunderstorms central and northern Virginia during the afternoon and evening of July 29th. Several of these storms became severe, producing damaging winds and large hail.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Baltimore/Washington wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 29, 2:19 PM EST, 36 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 319 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 .SYNOPSIS... A STALLED FRONT ACROSS THE CHESAPEAKE BAY REGION WILL SLOWLY PUSH EAST...FINALLY MAKING IT INTO THE WESTERN ATLANTIC BY LATE TUESDAY. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL TRACK ALONG THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY. HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD INTO THE AREA FOR TUESDAY NIGHT AND KEEP THE AREA MOSTLY DRY INTO THE END OF THE WEEK. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM MONDAY MORNING/... THERE WAS A BRIEF RESPITE ON RADAR MID-LT MRNG BEFORE STORMS STARTED FIRING ANEW. ATMOS ACTUALLY QUITE UNSTBL /SBCAPE NEAR 2500 J/KG/ AND MOIST /PWAT 1.9 INCH/. INSOLATION...ALBEIT FILTERED...HAS BEEN SUFFICIENT FOR TSRA TO BUBBLE UP ELY TAFTN. SFC BNDRY /ALNG BAY/ PRIMARY FOCUS...BUT UPR TROF /NEAR BLURDG-SHEN VLY/ ALSO COMBINING W/ TRRN FOR ADDTL DVLPMNT. CVRG WL BE FAIRLY WDSPD...BUT LGT FLOW/LOW SHEAR WL LIMIT SVR CAPABILITY. PRIMARY CHARACTERISTIC OF AFTN-EVE STORMS WL BE HVY RAINERS...THO AN ISOL WET MICROBURST OR TWO CANT BE RULED OUT. SINCE FFG 2.5-3.3 FOR 1 HR DUE TO ONGOING DROUGT...IT WL TAKE QUITE A BIT FOR FLOODING TO OCCUR. OBVIOUSLY... URBANIZED AREAS SUSCEPTIBLE. ACTVTY WL CONT PAST SUNSET. ALTHO THERE/S A DIURNAL COMPONENT TO CNVCTN...IMPULSES RIDING NWD ALNG BNDRY CUD KEEP AT LEAST SCT TSRA GOING OVNGT. IN ADDITION...SATD LLVLS AND LGT FLOW WL PROMOTE FOG DVLPMNT...SPCLY FOR AREAS WHERE TSRA ENDS /NRN-WRN CWFA/. LINGERING CLDS/FOG WL ALSO KEEP TEMPS A CPL ABV MOS MEAN. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... BNDRYS/INSTABILITY/MSTR WL ALL STILL BE ARND TMRW...FOR A REPEAT OF TDA. ULTIMATELY...CVRG WL DEPEND ON STRENGTH/TIMING OF INDIV IMPULSES. AM NOT PREPARED TO MAKE THAT DISTINCTION ATTM. WL KEEP TMRWS POPS A BIT LWR...TIL THE SPECIFICS CAN BE NAILED DOWN. HIPRES WL BUILD SE MON NGT-TUE...WHICH WL SHOVE TROF AXIS INTO WRN ATLC. THAT...IN TURN...WL YIELD LWR POPS. MIGHT BE A LINGERING TSRA ERN/SERN CWFA TUE DUE TO DIURNAL HEATING IN CONJUNCTION W/ BAY BRZ...SO WL KEEP 20 POP IN PLACE. IT MAY TAKE TIL WED BFR SUNSHN BECOMES PLENTIFUL. DEWPTS WL BE LWR ON NW SIDE OF BNDRY. HWVR...AS CLDS BREAK THE INCREASED INSOLATION AND DWNSLOPE FLOW WL MEAN TEMPS WONT BE MUCH LWR...IF AT ALL. HGTS RISE TUE...AND SHUD BE ABLE TO REACH 90S IN THE CSTL PLAIN TUE AFTN. HGTS/TKNS RISE FURTHER WED...AND WL ADD A DEG OR TWO TO MAXT. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... PD OF TRANQUIL WX FOR 2ND HALF OF WK AS HIPRES BUILDS. CDFNT APPCHS SAT...BUT APPRS TO STALL/WASH OUT/RETREAT IN NRN PA/NJ. IT WL YIELD AFTN CU AND A SCHC OF PCPN...SPCLY OVR TRRN AND NEAR BAY BRZ BNDRY. OTRW...RISING HGTS WL MEAN HOT TEMPS...INTO THE 90S BY DAY AND NEAR 70 AT NGT. && .AVIATION /19Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... CURRENT TAFS CENTER ON NEAR TERM TSRA...W/ LCL MVFR-IFR RESTRICTIONS...THEN FOG DVLPMNT OVNGT IN MOIST/CALM LLVLS. CHO-MRB FAVORED FOR IFR...MVFR IN DC-BALT CORRIDOR. HWVR...WL NEED TO SEE WHERE RAFL OCCURS TAFTN...WHICH MAY ALTER VSBY FCST. TSRA RISK CARRIES OVNGT INTO TMRW MRNG...BUT PROBLEMATIC TO PIN THAT DOWN RIGHT NOW. TSRA THREAT CONTS TMRW AFTN-NGT...SPCLY FOR BALT-DC TERMINALS...AND MAYBE EVEN INTO TUE. LCL MVFR-IFR VSBY RESTRICTIONS WL ACCMPNY ANY TSRA. IMPVD FLYING TUE NGT-THU. && .MARINE... SCT-NMRS TSRA ON THE WATERS TNGT...W/ LTNG AND LCLLY HIER WNDS/WVS. THAT CHC CARRIES THRU MON...INTO TUE. IMPVD FOR 2ND HALF OF WK. && .LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... DC...NONE. MD...NONE. VA...NONE. WV...NONE. MARINE...NONE. && HTS
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 353 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 ANZ530>537-DCZ001-MDZ003>007-009>011-013-014-016>018-501-502- VAZ021-025>031-036>042-050>057-WVZ050>055-501>504-301130- CHESAPEAKE BAY NORTH OF POOLES ISLAND MD- CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM POOLES ISLAND TO SANDY POINT MD- CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM SANDY POINT TO NORTH BEACH MD- CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM NORTH BEACH TO DRUM POINT MD- CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM DRUM POINT MD TO SMITH POINT VA- TIDAL POTOMAC FROM KEY BRIDGE TO INDIAN HEAD MD- TIDAL POTOMAC FROM INDIAN HEAD TO COBB ISLAND MD- TIDAL POTOMAC FROM COBB ISLAND MD TO SMITH POINT VA- DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-WASHINGTON-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL- NORTHERN BALTIMORE-HARFORD-MONTGOMERY-HOWARD-SOUTHERN BALTIMORE- PRINCE GEORGES-ANNE ARUNDEL-CHARLES-ST. MARYS-CALVERT- EXTREME WESTERN ALLEGANY-CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY-HIGHLAND- AUGUSTA-ROCKINGHAM-SHENANDOAH-FREDERICK VA-PAGE-WARREN-CLARKE- NELSON-ALBEMARLE-GREENE-MADISON-RAPPAHANNOCK-FAUQUIER-LOUDOUN- ORANGE-CULPEPER-PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX- ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-STAFFORD-SPOTSYLVANIA- KING GEORGE-HAMPSHIRE-MORGAN-BERKELEY-JEFFERSON-PENDLETON-HARDY- WESTERN GRANT-EASTERN GRANT-WESTERN MINERAL-EASTERN MINERAL- 353 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MARYLAND WEST OF THE EASTERN SHORE INCLUDING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND EAST OF GARRETT COUNTY...EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA...NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA... WASHINGTON DC AND THE TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER. .DAY ONE...REST OF THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON. DUE TO HIGH MOISTURE CONTENT AND WEAK STEERING WINDS ALOFT...STORMS WILL MOVE SLOWLY AND WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING VERY HEAVY RAINFALL. IN ADDITION...ONE OR TWO ISOLATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE. DAMAGING WINDS WILL BE THE PRIMARY THREAT IN ANY SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED AGAIN MONDAY. A FEW OF THE STORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE WITH A THREAT OF LOCALLY DAMAGING WINDS...HAIL...AND HEAVY RAIN. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED. HOWEVER...SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO FORWARD REPORTS OF HIGH WINDS OR PONDING WATER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE VIA TELEPHONE OR EMAIL. HTS
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 216 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 VAZ052-291915- PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK VA- 216 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK COUNTY... AT 216 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 3 MILES NORTHWEST OF BULL RUN TO 4 MILES SOUTHEAST OF WOODBRIDGE...MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 5 MPH. THESE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH. IN ADDITION...EXPECT CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND TORRENTIAL RAIN TOTALING 3 TO 5 INCHES. THE COMMUNITIES OF DALE CITY...MONTCLAIR...DUMFRIES AND TRIANGLE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THESE STORMS. ROGOWSKI
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 220 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 MDZ016-291915- CHARLES MD- 220 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT CHARLES COUNTY... AT 220 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 3 MILES SOUTH OF BRYANTOWN...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 10 MPH. ANOTHER THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR BRYANS ROAD. THESE STORMS WILL PRODUCE FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND TORRENTIAL RAINFALL...IN ADDITION TO BEING CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH. THE COMMUNITIES OF BRYANTOWN...BRYANS ROAD AND POMFRET WILL BE AFFECTED BY THESE STORMS. PELOQUIN
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 224 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 VAZ042-291900- LOUDOUN VA- 224 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT EASTERN LOUDOUN COUNTY... AT 224 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...AND IS SLOWLY DRIFTING TO THE EAST. THESE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH. IN ADDITION...EXPECT CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND TORRENTIAL RAIN TOTALING NEAR AN INCH. THE COMMUNITIES OF STERLING AND STERLING PARK WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS STORM. ROGOWSKI
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 254 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 MDZ009-291945- MONTGOMERY MD- 254 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT SOUTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY... AT 254 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER CHEVY CHASE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 10 MPH. THESE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH. IN ADDITION...EXPECT CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND TORRENTIAL RAIN TOTALING 2 TO 3 INCHES. THE COMMUNITIES OF CHEVY CHASE...WHITE OAK...HILLANDALE AND COLESVILLE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS STORM. ROGOWSKI
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 315 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 VAZ042-052-053-292015- LOUDOUN VA-PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK VA-FAIRFAX VA- 315 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT FAR SOUTHERN LOUDOUN...PRINCE WILLIAM...MANASSAS...MANASSAS PARK AND WESTERN FAIRFAX COUNTIES... AT 315 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 2 MILES NORTH OF CATHARPIN TO WOODBRIDGE. THESE STORMS ARE NEARLY STATIONARY. THESE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH. IN ADDITION...EXPECT CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND TORRENTIAL RAIN TOTALING UP TO 3 TO 5 INCHES. THE COMMUNITIES OF LORTON...CENTREVILLE...ARCOLA AND CHANTILLY WILL BE AFFECTED BY THESE STORMS. ROGOWSKI
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 350 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 VAZ026-292030- ROCKINGHAM VA- 350 PM EDT SUN JUL 29 2007 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT ROCKINGHAM COUNTY... AT 350 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF YANKEETOWN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 5 MPH. THIS STORM WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH. IN ADDITION...EXPECT CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND TORRENTIAL RAIN TOTALING UP TO 1 TO 2 INCHES. THE COMMUNITIES OF YANKEETOWN...CRIDERS...FULKS RUN AND BERGTON WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS STORM. RESIDENTS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT IN CASE WARNINGS ARE ISSUED. ROGOWSKI
The Sterling radar (KLWX), 56 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:55 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Law Enforcement reported a tree down on Shelton Shop Road east of Roseville, VA.
An NWS Employee reported penny size hail in Leesburg, VA.
Law Enforcement reported tree limbs down on Piney Branch Road at Cartherpin Road northeast of Alsop, VA.
Law Enforcement reported trees down in Dahlgren, VA.
Law Enforcement reported trees down in Gordonsville.
Law Enforcement reported a tree down at Route 231 and Klockner Road in northeastern Albemarle County near the Orange County line.
Broadcast Media reported penny size hail on Hydraulic Road in Charlottesville.
Law Enforcement reported trees down in the eastern part of Albemarle County along Route 54 near Shadwell.
Law Enforcement reported water over the road at Teton Drive and Landsdowne Road south of the City of Fredericksburg. A mudslide was also reported on Route 1.
Law Enforcement reported trees down in the 2700 block of Route 53 in southeastern Albemarle County.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2007Every state in 2007This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, July 2007
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 47615, 47616, 47617, 47618, 47619, 47621, 47634, 47623, 47625, 47629.