Virginia, 2008

Damaging Winds in Virginia, March 4, 2008

March 4, 2008 · NWS RNK · 46 events in 20 counties and zones

A strong cold front moving through the area brought severe thunderstorms with damaging winds.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$135,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
46

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS RNK wrote it up.

A strong cold front moving through the area brought severe thunderstorms with damaging winds.

What forecasters said that day

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 Blacksburg, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 4, 2:21 PM EST, 1 hour 34 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 4, 2:21 PM EST, 1 hour 34 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
221 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

.SYNOPSIS...
STRONG LOW PRESSURE ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY WILL TRACK
NE THROUGH WV/PA EARLY THIS EVENING DRAGGING A STRONG COLD FRONT
THRU THE REGION TONIGHT. COOL HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD IN
WEDNESDAY THEN QUICKLY MOVE OFF THE COAST THURSDAY.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
ALREADY SENT EARLIER FLOOD WATCH TO COVER ISOLATED FLOOD POTENTIAL
MAINLY ALONG THE WESTERN SLOPES WHERE PERSISTENT LIGHT/MODERATE BAND
OF PRECIP CONTINUES. OTRW WAITING FOR COLD FRONT ACROSS EASTERN TN
TO START SLIDING ENE AS NEGATIVE TILT TAKES PLACE AND NOSE OF UPPER
JET ARRIVES. THIS SHOULD FINALLY HELP THE ONGOING LINES TO MERGE
INTO ONE AND THEN BOW NE ALLOWING AXIS OF HEAVY RAIN TO SHIFT EAST
TO THE BLUE RIDGE LATE THIS AFTERNOON REACHING THE PIEDMONT THIS
EVENING. SVR THREAT APPEARS TO BE LIMITED TO MORE EMBEDDED NATURE
CONVECTION AND MIXING DOWN OF HIGHER WINDS ALOFT PER LACK OF INSTAB
BUT GOOD DYNAMICS/WINDS. APPEARS BEST SHOT AT THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL
WILL BE 22-02Z WHEN BEST RH...PWATS...UPPER DIFFLUENCE AND THETA-E
RIDGING COINCIDE. THIS LITTLE CHANGE TO GOING POPS OVERNIGHT WITH
ANOTHER 1-3 INCHES OF RAIN POSSIBLE ESPCLY WEST. FRONT SHOULD PUSH
THRU AFTER MIDNIGHT WITH DRY PUNCH SCOURING OUT DEEP RH TO THE NE
BETWEEN 06Z-08Z. HOWEVER WRAP AROUND MOISTURE WILL QUICKLY RETURN IN
WAKE OF THE FRONT WITH POOL OF COLD 85H AIR CROSSING INTO THE NW
UPSLOPE AREAS AFTER MIDNIGHT. SINCE THE BOUNDARY LAYER STILL APPEARS
QUITE WARM THINK ANY -SHSN WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL ABOUT DAYBREAK SO
SLOWED DOWN MIX OVER A BIT. EXPECT QUICK SHOT OF COLD ADVECTION AND
SUBSIDENCE TO PRODUCE GUSTY WINDS OVERNIGHT BUT BELOW ADVISORY GIVEN
30-40 KT 850 MB JET. LEFT LOW TEMPS ON THE WARM SIDE OF MOS GIVEN
TRENDS OF LATE FOR MODELS TO BE TOO FAST WITH COLD ADVECTION.

SOME UPSLOPE -SHSN MAY LINGER EARLY WED OTRW DRIER AND SOMEWHAT
COOLER AS WEAK HIGH PRESSURE SLIDES IN FROM THE SW. THIS IN COMBO
WITH SUBSIDENCE AND DRIER AIR SHOULD PRODUCE MAINLY SUNNY SKIES BY
AFTERNOON UNDER DIMINISHING WINDS. GIVEN DRY WESTERLY FLOW STAYED ON
THE WARM SIDE OF MOS TEMPS ESPCLY EAST WHERE MORE DOWNSLOPE IN ORDER.

&&

.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
HIGH PRESSURE WILL SKIRT THROUGH THE AREA WEDNESDAY NIGHT WITH GOOD
RADIATIONAL COOLING EXPECTED. THERE WILL BE SOME WEAK WARM AIR
ADVECTION ALOFT...THEREFORE RIDGES MAYBE 5-10F WARMER THAN THE
VALLEYS AND OUT EAST. ON THURSDAY...A WEAK FRONT WILL STALL WEST OF
THE APPALACHIANS. THIS SYSTEM MAY SQUEEZE OUT A FEW RAIN DROPS IN THE
GREENBRIER VALLEY THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
THURSDAY NIGHT AND INTO FRIDAY IS STILL A QUESTIONABLE FORECAST AS
MODELS CONTINUE TO LACK CONTINUITY. HOWEVER...MODELS ARE SHOWING A
MORE BELIEVABLE SOLUTION WITH A DAMP COOL PERIOD. SHORT WAVES AND
WARM MOIST AIR TRACKING ALONG THE STALLED FRONT WILL GENERATE RAIN
THROUGH THE TENNESSEE AND THE SOUTHERN OHIO VALLEYS. A SURFACE WAVE
WILL BE TRACKING OUT OF THE GULF AND ALONG THE SOUTHEAST COAST. THE
TRACK OF THIS LOW STILL IN QUESTION WHETHER IT STAYS INLAND OR OFF
THE COAST. EITHER WAY...LIGHT RAIN FALLING AHEAD OF THIS SYSTEM AND
IN OUR AREA WILL CREATE AN INSITU WEDGE WITH THE WINDS BECOMING
NORTHEASTERLY. SURFACE TEMPERATURES AND BOUNDARY LAYER LOOKING WARM
ENOUGH TO HAVE JUST A COLD RAIN IN THE AREA. PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS
SHOULD REMAIN LIGHT WITH CONVECTION ALONG THE GULF. FRIDAY
NIGHT...THE SURFACE LOW WILL MOVE OFF THE NORTHEAST COAST WITH A
TRAILING UPPER LEVEL TROUGH IN THE MID WEST. WITH THE UPPER LEVEL
TROUGH AND DEW POINT FRONT WELL TO OUR WEST...LIGHT RAIN/DRIZZLE/FOG
WILL LIKELY PERSIST INTO SATURDAY MORNING. AS THE UPPER LEVEL TROUGH
SWINGS THROUGH THE REGION SATURDAY AFTERNOON...RAIN WILL LIKELY
CHANGE TO UPSLOPE SNOW SHOWERS AND CONTINUE INTO SATURDAY NIGHT.
HIGH PRESSURE AND ZONAL FLOW WILL KEEP THE REGION DRY SUNDAY. THE
NEXT FRONT COULD COME IN AS EARLY AS MONDAY BUT WITH A HIGH PRESSURE
ALONG THE GULF...PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS WILL BE LIGHT.

WITH RAIN AND INSITU WEDGE IN THE AREA...FRIDAY WILL LIKELY BE THE
COLDEST DAY OF THE EXTENDED. TEMPERATURES WILL MODERATE BACK TO
NORMAL THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
DOWNWARD TREND OF MVFR TO IFR CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THIS
AFTERNOON AS RAIN SHIELD ACROSS THE WEST STARTS TO SHIFT EAST AND
INCREASES IN INTENSITY/COVERAGE. ALSO...SUSTAINED SOUTH TO
SOUTHEAST WINDS OF 10-20 KTS WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS OF 20-25 KTS
WILL PERSIST AHEAD OF THE FRONT. WINDS WILL LIKELY BE 5-10 KTS HIGHER
AT BLF.

MAIN THREAT TO OPERATIONS DEVELOPS LATE THIS AFTERNOON/EARLY
EVENING WITH A STRONG COLD FRONT. BAND OF HEAVY SHOWERS AND TSTMS
WILL ACCOMPANY COLD FRONT. CONFIDENCE IS RELATIVELY HIGH
CONCERNING THE TIMING OF THE FRONT FROM WEST TO EAST ACROSS THE
SERVICE AREA. SOME CONVECTIVE CELLS ACCOMPANYING THE FRONT COULD
PRODUCE 40-50 KT GUSTS AND VERY HEAVY RAINS. CLEARING WILL BE
QUICK BEHIND THE FRONT THIS EVENING...HOWEVER MVFR CIGS LIKELY TO
BUILD BACK INTO BLF AND LWB LATE TNGT WITH VERY LIGHT RAIN/SNOW
MIX.

HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS IN FROM THE SW WEDNESDAY KEEPING VFR...UNTIL
THE NEXT COLD FRONT ARRIVES LATE THURSDAY NIGHT WITH IFR CIGS/VIS
POSSIBLE IN SNOW SHWS AT KLWB/KBLF FRIDAY. THE BEST CHANCE OF
PRECIPITATION WILL BE ACROSS THE WESTERN MOUNTAINS THURSDAY NIGHT
AND POSSIBLY AGAIN ON SATURDAY. VFR CONDITIONS SHOULD FOLLOW AGAIN
UNDER HIGH PRESSURE FOR SUNDAY.

&&

.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR VAZ007-009-015.
NC...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR NCZ001-002-018.
WV...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR WVZ042-043-045.

&&

SYNOPSIS...JH
NEAR TERM...JH
SHORT TERM...RCS
LONG TERM...RCS
AVIATION...JH
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 4, 2:35 PM EST, 1 hour 20 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
235 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

VAZ014-018>020-022>024-033>035-045>047-059-051945-
MONTGOMERY-CRAIG-ALLEGHANY VA-BATH-ROANOKE-BOTETOURT-ROCKBRIDGE-
FRANKLIN-BEDFORD-AMHERST-CAMPBELL-APPOMATTOX-BUCKINGHAM-CHARLOTTE-
235 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTH
CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

A STRONG COLD FRONT TRAILING A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH
THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEYS WILL BRING A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS INTO THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.
SOME STORMS ALONG THE COLD FRONT COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING STRAIGHT
LINE WINDS AND EVEN AN ISOLATED TORNADO. LOCALIZED FLOODING FROM
HEAVY RAINFALL IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

VAZ011>013-WVZ044-051945-
GILES-WYTHE-PULASKI-MONROE-
235 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 97 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EST THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST 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 STRONG COLD FRONT TRAILING A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH
THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEYS WILL BRING A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS INTO THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.
SOME STORMS ALONG THE COLD FRONT COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING STRAIGHT
LINE WINDS AND EVEN AN ISOLATED TORNADO. LOCALIZED FLOODING FROM
HEAVY RAINFALL IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

WVZ042-043-045-051945-
MERCER-SUMMERS-GREENBRIER-
235 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 97 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EST THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR 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.

   FLOOD WATCH.
   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.

A STRONG COLD FRONT TRAILING A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH
THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEYS WILL BRING A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS INTO THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.
SOME STORMS ALONG THE COLD FRONT COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING STRAIGHT
LINE WINDS AND EVEN AN ISOLATED TORNADO. LOCALIZED FLOODING FROM
HEAVY RAINFALL IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

VAZ010-051945-
BLAND-
235 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 97 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EST THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST 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 STRONG COLD FRONT TRAILING A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH
THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEYS WILL BRING A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS INTO THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.
SOME STORMS ALONG THE FRONT COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE
WINDS AND EVEN AN ISOLATED TORNADO. LOCALIZED FLOODING FROM HEAVY
RAINFALL IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

VAZ007-009-051945-
TAZEWELL-SMYTH-
235 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 97 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EST THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST 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.

   FLOOD WATCH.
   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.

A STRONG COLD FRONT TRAILING A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH
THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEYS WILL BRING A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS INTO THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.
SOME STORMS ALONG THE FRONT COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE
WINDS AND EVEN AN ISOLATED TORNADO. LOCALIZED FLOODING FROM HEAVY
RAINFALL IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

NCZ003-019-VAZ017-032-051945-
SURRY-WILKES-FLOYD-PATRICK-
235 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL NORTH
CAROLINA...NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

A STRONG COLD FRONT TRAILING A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH
THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEYS WILL BRING A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS INTO THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.
SOME STORMS ALONG THE FRONT COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE
WINDS AND EVEN AN ISOLATED TORNADO.

FLOODING COULD ALSO BECOME AN ISSUE THIS EVENING AS HEAVY
RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT MOVES THROUGH. A FLOOD WATCH
MAY BE NEEDED IN THIS AREA.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

VAZ016-051945-
CARROLL-
235 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 97 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EST THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST 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 STRONG COLD FRONT TRAILING A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH
THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEYS WILL BRING A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS INTO THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.
SOME STORMS ALONG THE FRONT COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE
WINDS AND EVEN AN ISOLATED TORNADO.

FLOODING COULD ALSO BECOME AN ISSUE THIS EVENING AS HEAVY
RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT MOVES THROUGH. A FLOOD WATCH
MAY BE NEEDED IN THIS AREA.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

NCZ001-002-018-051945-
ASHE-ALLEGHANY NC-WATAUGA-
235 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA.

.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.

   FLOOD WATCH.

A STRONG COLD FRONT TRAILING A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH
THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEYS WILL BRING A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS INTO THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.
SOME STORMS ALONG THE FRONT COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE
WINDS AND EVEN AN ISOLATED TORNADO.

FLOODING COULD ALSO BECOME AN ISSUE THIS EVENING AS HEAVY
RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT MOVES THROUGH. A FLOOD WATCH
MAY BE NEEDED IN THIS AREA.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

VAZ015-051945-
GRAYSON-
235 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 97 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EST THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST 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.

   FLOOD WATCH.
   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.

A STRONG COLD FRONT TRAILING A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH
THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEYS WILL BRING A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS INTO THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING.
SOME STORMS ALONG THE FRONT COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE
WINDS AND EVEN AN ISOLATED TORNADO.

FLOODING COULD ALSO BECOME AN ISSUE THIS EVENING AS HEAVY
RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT MOVES THROUGH. A FLOOD WATCH
MAY BE NEEDED IN THIS AREA.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

NCZ004>006-020-VAZ043-044-058-051945-
STOKES-ROCKINGHAM-CASWELL-YADKIN-HENRY-PITTSYLVANIA-HALIFAX-
235 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL NORTH
CAROLINA...NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

A STRONG COLD FRONT TRAILING A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH
THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEYS WILL BRING A MODERATE RISK OF
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS INTO THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS
EVENING. SOME STORMS ALONG THE COLD FRONT COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING
STRAIGHT LINE WINDS AND EVEN AN ISOLATED TORNADO. LOCALIZED
FLOODING FROM HEAVY RAINFALL IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 4, 3:27 PM EST, 28 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
327 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

NCZ004>006-VAZ017-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-042130-
STOKES-ROCKINGHAM-CASWELL-FLOYD-ROANOKE-BOTETOURT-ROCKBRIDGE-
PATRICK-FRANKLIN-BEDFORD-AMHERST-HENRY-PITTSYLVANIA-CAMPBELL-
APPOMATTOX-BUCKINGHAM-HALIFAX-CHARLOTTE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DANBURY...EDEN...FLOYD...SALEM...
FINCASTLE...LEXINGTON...STUART...ROCKY MOUNT...BEDFORD...
AMHERST...MARTINSVILLE...DANVILLE...LYNCHBURG...APPOMATTOX...
SOUTH BOSTON...KEYSVILLE
327 PM EST TUE MAR 4 2008

...SHOWERS WITH STRONG WIND GUSTS POSSIBLE THROUGH LATE AFTERNOON...

SHOWERS ARE GOING TO MOVE FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE PIEDMONT THIS
AFTERNOON. SOME OF THE EMBEDDED HEAVIER SHOWERS WILL ALSO BRING
WINDS GUSTING UP TO 45 MPH. THIS MAY BREAK SMALL LIMBS OFF OF
TREES. THE RAINFALL WILL RANGE FROM ONE QUARTER TO AS MUCH AS ONE
INCH BETWEEN 330 PM AND 600 PM. THE AREA OF SHOWERS SHOULD MAKE IT
INTO THE DANVILLE TO LYNCHBURG REGION BY 430 PM...AND EAST TO
BUCKINGHAM AND CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE BY 600 PM.

THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY WIND DAMAGE OR ESTIMATED
WIND GUSTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE VIA EMAIL AT
RNK.SKYWARN@NOAA.GOV OR AT PHONE NUMBER 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2
4.

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 62 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:53 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

46 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When
March 4, 3:55 PM EST
Where
Henry County, 3 mi SW of Ridgeway
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
36.549, -79.908

Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree on Highway 220 southwest of Ridgeway near State Line.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pittsylvania

When
March 4, 4:30 PM EST
Where
Pittsylvania County, 15 mi WNW of (Dan)danville Regional Airport
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
36.663, -79.580

Thunderstorm winds damaged a mobile home, porch, aluminum sheds and a dog kennel.

Thunderstorm Wind, Danville (C)

When
March 4, 5:05 PM EST
Where
Danville (C) County, 0.47 mi NW of Danville
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$7,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
36.586, -79.425

Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree along Highway 58 on the east side of Danville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Campbell

When
March 4, 5:39 PM EST
Where
Campbell County, Lynch Station to 0.05 mi WNW of Lynch Station
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
37.150, -79.300

Thunderstorm winds downed two large pine trees down across Route 622 in Lynch Station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When
March 4, 5:44 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, 6 mi W of Alton
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$800
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.570, -79.108

Thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph downed a tree six miles west of Alton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When
March 4, 5:45 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, 3 mi WSW of Alton
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.553, -79.050

A tree was downed by thunderstorm winds on Calvary Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Appomattox

When
March 4, 6:40 PM EST
Where
Appomattox County, 4 mi N of Oakville
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
37.488, -78.870

Two trees were downed by thunderstorm wind gusts along Oakville Road near Gladstone.

Thunderstorm Wind, Smyth

When
March 4, 6:45 PM EST
Where
Smyth County, Marion
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$4,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.830, -81.500

Thunderstorm winds downed trees on Webb Spring Road in Marion.

Thunderstorm Wind, Floyd

When
March 4, 7:37 PM EST
Where
Floyd County, 2 mi E of Willis
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$4,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
36.850, -80.444

Thunderstorm winds brought down several pine trees and caused minor roof damage to a house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wythe

When
March 4, 7:40 PM EST
Where
Wythe County, 5 mi SE of Wytheville to 1.32 mi SW of Lots Gap
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
36.899, -81.016

Thunderstorm wind gusts to 60 mph downed a tree across Route 94 near Wytheville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When
March 4, 7:50 PM EST
Where
Carroll County, 5 mi N of Hillsville
Measured
51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
36.842, -80.730

Automated wind equipment 5 miles north of Hillsville measured a 59 mph gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pulaski

When
March 4, 8:01 PM EST
Where
Pulaski County, 5 mi SE of Dublin
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$4,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.069, -80.636

Trees were downed by thunderstorm winds in the Claytor Lake area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When
March 4, 8:03 PM EST
Where
Franklin County, Henry
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.830, -79.980

Thunderstorm winds downed trees on power lines near Henry.

Thunderstorm Wind, Patrick

When
March 4, 8:15 PM EST
Where
Patrick County, 2 mi S of Stuart
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
36.601, -80.280

Thunderstorm winds blew down a metal building along Route 8 south.

Thunderstorm Wind, Patrick

When
March 4, 8:15 PM EST
Where
Patrick County, Meadows of Dan
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
36.730, -80.420

Numerous trees were downed by thunderstorm winds in the Meadows of Dan area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When
March 4, 8:15 PM EST
Where
Montgomery County, 3 mi NW of Christiansburg
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.161, -80.459

Several large tree limbs downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buckingham

When
March 4, 8:18 PM EST
Where
Buckingham County, 3 mi S of Centenary
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.657, -78.520

Trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds along Sharon Church Road off Route 20.

Thunderstorm Wind, Patrick

When
March 4, 8:20 PM EST
Where
Patrick County, 7 mi E of Charity
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Park/Forest Service
Coordinates
36.820, -80.093

A couple of trees were downed by thunderstorm winds in Fairy Stone State Park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When
March 4, 8:22 PM EST
Where
Franklin County, Snow Creek
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.830, -79.750

Law Enforcement reported trees down on power lines on Route 890.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When
March 4, 8:25 PM EST
Where
Franklin County, 2 mi E of Ferrum
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Post Office
Coordinates
36.920, -79.984

Power outages occurred from downed trees in Ferrum.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When
March 4, 8:30 PM EST
Where
Franklin County, 10 mi S of Rocky Mt
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
36.855, -79.880

Trees were downed along Route 220 South.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When
March 4, 8:30 PM EST
Where
Henry County, Bassett Forks
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Post Office
Coordinates
36.730, -79.950

Power lines were downed in the Bassett Forks area on Crestridge Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buckingham

When
March 4, 8:30 PM EST
Where
Buckingham County, 4 mi S of Centenary
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$8,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.642, -78.520

A 180 foot shed was lifted and thrown by thunderstorm winds. Several slate shingles blown off a home on Route 656.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buckingham

When
March 4, 8:30 PM EST
Where
Buckingham County, 4 mi E of Centenary
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
37.700, -78.447

A tree was blown down along Route 721.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buckingham

When
March 4, 8:35 PM EST
Where
Buckingham County, 4 mi E of Gold Hill
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$12,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.620, -78.297

A large tree limb was blown through the roof of a home. Several trees were blown down near the intersection of Route 610 and 718.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rockbridge

When
March 4, 8:57 PM EST
Where
Rockbridge County, Lexington City
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
37.780, -79.450

Several trees were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Alleghany

When
March 4, 9:00 PM EST
Where
Alleghany County, Covington City
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.780, -79.980

A grocery store sign was blown over and damaged by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Amherst

When
March 4, 9:00 PM EST
Where
Amherst County, Riverville
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
37.520, -78.920

Thunderstorm winds downed trees near Riverview.

Thunderstorm Wind, Amherst

When
March 4, 9:07 PM EST
Where
Amherst County, Forks of Buffalo
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$4,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
37.680, -79.180

Trees were downed across northern Amherst county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bath

When
March 4, 9:19 PM EST
Where
Bath County, Hot Spgs
Measured
53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
38.000, -79.830

Bath County High School measured a 61 mph gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Danville (C)

When
March 4, 9:24 PM EST
Where
Danville (C) County, Danville
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
36.580, -79.420

One tree was downed on the south end of the City of Danville. Power lines were downed in the city with nearly 2,000 people losing power.

Thunderstorm Wind, Campbell

When
March 4, 9:37 PM EST
Where
Campbell County, 4 mi NW of Concord
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.391, -79.031

A large tree was downed by a thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Charlotte

When
March 4, 9:37 PM EST
Where
Charlotte County, Charlotte Court Hous
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$4,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
37.050, -78.630

Trees and power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When
March 4, 9:45 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, 4 mi W of Halifax
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.770, -78.992

Tree was downed at Mountain Road in Oak Level.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When
March 4, 9:50 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, 1 mi ENE of Volens
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.935, -79.003

A tree was blown down along Volens Road, or Highway 603.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When
March 4, 9:57 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, 1 mi W of South Boston
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.700, -78.918

A tree was downed by thunderstorm winds near River Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When
March 4, 9:59 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, Halifax
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.770, -78.920

Thunderstorm winds brought down a tree on State Highway 501.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When
March 4, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, Scottsburg
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.750, -78.780

Thunderstorm wind gust to 60 mph downed a tree in Scottsburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When
March 4, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, 4 mi NE of Virgilina
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.591, -78.729

A tree was blown down on Buck Shoal Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When
March 4, 10:04 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, 3 mi E of Halifax
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.770, -78.866

A tree was blown down at the intersection of Highway 360 and Highway 626.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buckingham

When
March 4, 10:10 PM EST
Where
Buckingham County, 7 mi W of Buckingham
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
37.550, -78.678

A tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds along Route 607.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When
March 4, 10:12 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, 1 mi N of Cluster Spgs
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.635, -78.920

A tree was blown down at Highway 501 and Horse Trail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When
March 4, 10:15 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, 1.68 mi W of Red Bank
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.605, -78.780

Trees and power lines were blown down at the intersection of Bowen Road and Hudson Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Charlotte

When
March 4, 10:15 PM EST
Where
Charlotte County, 0.31 mi NNW of Public Fork
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.834, -78.653

Trees were down on Highway 360 near Public Fork.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When
March 4, 10:19 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, Virgilina
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.550, -78.780

Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree along Virgilina Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buckingham

When
March 4, 10:20 PM EST
Where
Buckingham County, 3 mi E of Dillwyn
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.530, -78.395

Trees were blown down along Old Tower Hill Road.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Virginia in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, March 2008

Sources

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: 88331, 88333, 88844, 88853, 88856, 88860, 88890, 88907, 89150, 88911, 88915, 88922, 88925, 88926, 88927, 88929, 89177, 88930, 88932, 89147, 89148, 89149, 89184, 89187, 89189, 89151, 89152, 89208, 89153, 89154, 89156, 89157, 89158, 89159, 89161, 89163, 89166, 89167, 89168, 89170, and more.