Low pressure crossed the Mid Atlantic March 8th, bringing a strong cold front through the region during the late afternoon and evening. This front triggered several strong to severe thunderstorms that produced large hail and gusty, damaging winds.
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.
Low pressure crossed the Mid Atlantic March 8th, bringing a strong cold front through the region during the late afternoon and evening. This front triggered several strong to severe thunderstorms that produced large hail and gusty, damaging winds. There were numerous reports of downed trees and power lines, with several reports of trees falling into homes.
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 Mar 8, 2:54 PM EST, 36 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
254 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008
.SYNOPSIS...
A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL LIFT NORTHEAST AND INTENSIFY
OVERNIGHT...BRINGING GUSTY WINDS TO THE REGION. WINDS WILL
DIMINISH SUNDAY AS HIGH PRESSURE MOVES OVERHEAD. A WEAK CLIPPER
SYSTEM WILL CROSS THE REGION MONDAY...BRINGING A CHANCE OF WINTRY
PRECIPITATION. A WARMING TREND WILL PROCEED A COLD FRONT BY THE
END OF THE WEEK.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
SURFACE ANALYSIS FROM 18Z SHOWS LOW PRESSURE CENTERED OVER
NORTHERN VIRGINIA. A WARM FRONT HAS PUSHED NORTH OF THE WASHINGTON
METRO AND A COLD FRONT IS JUST WEST OF THE FORECAST AREA. REGIONAL
RADAR AND SURFACE OBSERVATIONS INDICATE THUNDERSTORM BANDS
DEVELOPING AND MOVING NORTHEAST ACROSS THE EASTERN THIRD OF THE
FORECAST AREA...WITH MORE SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WEST
OF THE BLUE RIDGE.
MULTIPLE HAZARDS IN THE FORECAST FOR THE NEAR TIME. SEVERE WEATHER
THREAT CONTINUES ALONG AND EAST OF THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR. THIS
WILL QUICKLY DIMINISH THROUGH THE LATE AFTERNOON AS THE SURFACE LOW
LIFTS NORTH. ALSO HAVE SOME CONVECTION RIGHT ALONG THE BLUE RIDGE.
WILL CARRY A PRE-FIRST PERIOD WITH THE AFTERNOON PACKAGE FOR
LINGERING CONVECTION.
NEXT CONCERN IS FOR SYNOPTIC WINDS LATE AFTERNOON AND OVERNIGHT.
STRONG 3 TO 6 HOUR PRESSURE RISES ALONG WITH THE LOW AND MID LEVEL
JETS HAVE COMBINED TO BRING A THREAT OF 50KT PLUS WEST OF THE BLUE
RIDGE AS WELL AS ALONG THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE LINE. THEREFORE...WILL
EXPAND THE HIGH WIND WARNING FURTHER EAST. WILL ALSO EXPAND THE
TIMING THROUGH 09Z. WINDS WILL BE DECREASING AFTER MIDNIGHT...BUT
NOT ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO DROP THE HEADLINE. THANKS TO NEIGHBORING
OFFICES FOR COLLABORATION.
AND FINAL CONCERN IS FOR UPSLOPE SNOW SHOWERS. HPC AS WELL AS BUFKIT
GIVE 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW BY SUNDAY MORNING. THERE IS ALSO A WIND
CONCERN FOR BLOWING/DRIFTING SNOW. HOWEVER...GIVEN ONLY ONE
PRECIPITATION TYPE...WILL CARRY A SNOW ADVISORY FOR THE NORTHWESTERN
THREE ZONES. SUB ADVISORY SNOW CRITERIA FURTHER EAST AND SOUTH...SO
WILL MENTION ACCUMULATION AROUND AN INCH FOR THE REST OF THE
ALLEGHENY.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
ALL LAND-BASED HAZARDS WILL BE OVER SUNDAY MORNING. HIGH PRESSURE
BUILDS ON SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT. WEAK COLD ADVECTION WITH
DIMINISHING WINDS ON SUNDAY. MOS GUIDANCE WAS CLUSTERED.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
HIGH PRESSURE GIVES WAY TO A CLIPPER SYSTEM MONDAY AND MONDAY
NIGHT. EXPECT SNOW ACROSS THE FAR WEST...MIXING WITH RAIN UP TO
THE BLUE RIDGE...TURNING TO ALL SNOW OVERNIGHT. MINOR
ACCUMULATIONS WOULD BE POSSIBLE DURING THE OVERNIGHT.
ANOTHER SHORT WAVE FROM WITHIN THE NORTHERN STREAM PASSES ON
WEDNESDAY...BUT MOISTURE LOOKS WEAK IN EVEN THE UPSLOPE AREA. THE
NEXT SYSTEM OF NOTE IS A COLD FRONT LATE IN THE WEEK. THIS WOULD BE
THE BEST CHANCE FOR PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE REGION. WARMING TREND
STILL ON TRACK MID WEEK AHEAD OF THE SYSTEM.
&&
.AVIATION /20Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES IMPROVING...HOWEVER CONVECTION WILL
BRING GUSTY WINDS THROUGH LATE AFTERNOON. ANOTHER ROUND OF
PRECIPITATION WILL FOLLOW. BUT QUICKLY END AFTER SUNSET. SYNOPTIC
WINDS THEN INCREASE BEHIND THE DEPARTING LOW. STRONG NORTHWEST
WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 KNOTS EXPECTED DURING THE LATE EVENING
HOURS...DIMINISHING AFTER MIDNIGHT. WINDS WILL STAY GUSTY ON
SUNDAY...UP TO 25 KNOTS EXPECTED.
NEXT RESTRICTIONS TO CEILINGS OR VISIBILITIES WOULD BE MONDAY AND
MONDAY NIGHT WITH A CLIPPER SYSTEM.
&&
.MARINE...
THUNDERSTORMS MOVING OVER THE WATERS THROUGH EARLY EVENING...THEN
STRONGER SYNOPTIC WINDS DEVELOP. GUSTS TO 45 KNOTS ARE EXPECTED FOR
THE OVERNIGHT...SO WILL START THE GALE WARNING WITH THE AFTERNOON
PACKAGE. WINDS DIMINISH ON SUNDAY BUT STILL WITHIN SMALL CRAFT
ADVISORY RANGE.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
TIDES CONTINUE TO RUN ABOUT 1 TO 1.5 FEET ABOVE PREDICTED. THIS
TREND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE LATE AFTERNOON...BUT SHOULD REMAIN
BELOW ADVISORY THRESHOLDS. STRONG NORTHWEST AND WEST WINDS DEVELOP
THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT. THIS WILL
ALLEVIATE TIDAL FLOODING CONCERNS AND GO MORE TO BLOWOUT TIDE LEVELS
OF AROUND 1 FOOT BELOW PREDICTED.
&&
.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 5 AM EDT SUNDAY FOR DCZ001.
MD...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 5 AM EDT SUNDAY FOR MDZ009>011-013-014-
016>018.
HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 5 AM EDT SUNDAY FOR MDZ003>007-501-502.
SNOW ADVISORY UNTIL 7 AM EDT SUNDAY FOR MDZ501.
VA...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 5 AM EDT SUNDAY FOR VAZ036>042-050>057.
HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 5 AM EDT SUNDAY FOR VAZ021-025>031.
WV...HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 5 AM EDT SUNDAY FOR WVZ050>055-501>504.
SNOW ADVISORY UNTIL 7 AM EDT SUNDAY FOR WVZ501-503.
MARINE...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 3 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
ANZ530>537.
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FROM 7 AM TO 5 PM EDT SUNDAY FOR
ANZ530>537.
GALE WARNING UNTIL 7 AM EDT SUNDAY FOR ANZ530>537.
&&
SARHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 1104 AM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 ANZ530>537-DCZ001-MDZ006-007-011-013-014-016>018-VAZ052>057- 091000- 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-NORTHERN BALTIMORE-HARFORD- SOUTHERN BALTIMORE-PRINCE GEORGES-ANNE ARUNDEL-CHARLES-ST. MARYS- CALVERT-PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX- ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-STAFFORD-SPOTSYLVANIA- KING GEORGE- 1104 AM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE MARYLAND PORTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY...TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER...AND ADJACENT COUNTIES IN CENTRAL MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT LOW PRESSURE WILL TRACK ACROSS THE REGION TODAY...BRINGING LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN AND GUSTY WINDS. IN ADDITION...THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE SOUTHEAST OF THE TRACK OF THE LOW. A FEW OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS MAY BE STRONG TO LOCALLY SEVERE...ESPECIALLY SOUTHEAST OF THE I-95 CORRIDOR. BEHIND THE LOW...WINDS WILL INCREASE AND BECOME GUSTY THIS AFTERNOON. A WIND ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH. A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT THIS MORNING. A GALE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH TONIGHT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY SMALL CRAFT CONDITIONS POSSIBLE ON SUNDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED...HOWEVER ANY REPORTS OF WIND DAMAGE OR WIND SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 45 MPH ARE APPRECIATED. MDZ003>005-009-010-501-502-VAZ021-025>031-036>042-050-051- WVZ050>055-501>504-091000- WASHINGTON-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-HOWARD- 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-HAMPSHIRE-MORGAN-BERKELEY-JEFFERSON-PENDLETON- HARDY-WESTERN GRANT-EASTERN GRANT-WESTERN MINERAL-EASTERN MINERAL- 1104 AM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA... NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA...AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN MARYLAND WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GARRETT COUNTY. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT LOW PRESSURE WILL TRACK ACROSS THE REGION TODAY...BRINGING LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN AND GUSTY WINDS. IN ADDITION...THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE SOUTHEAST OF THE TRACK OF THE LOW THIS MORNING. BEHIND THE LOW...WINDS WILL INCREASE AND BECOME GUSTY THIS AFTERNOON. AS A RESULT...A HIGH WIND WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE ALLEGHENYS...POTOMAC HIGHLANDS AND A PORTION OF THE CENTRAL SHENANDOAH VALLEY FOR WIND GUSTS TO 60 MPH. A WIND ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE REGION FOR WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. UPSLOPE SNOW IS EXPECTED LATE TODAY AND TONIGHT. MINOR SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED...HOWEVER ANY REPORTS OF WIND DAMAGE OR WIND SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 45 MPH ARE APPRECIATED.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 1219 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 DCZ001-MDZ004>007-009>011-013-014-016>018-VAZ054-081845- DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DC-CARROLL MD-NORTHERN BALTIMORE MD-FREDERICK MD- HOWARD MD-MONTGOMERY MD-ANNE ARUNDEL MD-PRINCE GEORGES MD-CALVERT MD- HARFORD MD-SOUTHERN BALTIMORE MD-CHARLES MD-ST. MARYS MD- ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA VA- 1219 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 ...SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY WINDS TO AFFECT THE BALTIMORE WASHINGTON METRO AREA... AT 1219 PM EST...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE FROM NEAR FREDERICK MARYLAND SOUTH TO LA PLATA IN LOWER SOUTHERN MARYLAND...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH. THIS ACTIVITY WILL MOVE ACROSS THE BALTIMORE WASHINGTON METRO AREA AND LOWER SOUTHERN MARYLAND THROUGH 2 PM. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR WINDS GUSTS OF 40 MPH. THE COMMUNITIES OF SOTTERLEY...SANDGATES...GOLDEN BEACH...BENEDICT... SOLOMONS...DOWELL...BARSTOW...EAGLE HARBOR...PORT REPUBLIC AND CALVERT BEACH WILL BE AFFECTED BY THESE STORMS. PELOQUIN
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 1237 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 VAZ050-055>057-081815- ORANGE VA-KING GEORGE VA-STAFFORD VA-SPOTSYLVANIA VA- 1237 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT ORANGE...KING GEORGE...STAFFORD AND SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTIES... AT 1237 PM EST...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 4 MILES WEST OF MINE RUN TO 29 MILES SOUTH OF PARTLOW...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH. THESE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH IN ADDITION TO HEAVY RAINFALL. THE COMMUNITIES OF MASSAPONAX AND STAFFORD WILL BE AFFECTED BY THESE STORMS. PELOQUIN
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 159 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 MDZ014-018-081930- ANNE ARUNDEL MD-CALVERT MD- 159 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT ANNE ARUNDEL AND NORTHERN CALVERT COUNTIES... AT 159 PM EST...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM SUNDERLAND TO 4 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PRINCE FREDERICK...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH. THESE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH. SMZ
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 208 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 VAZ029-038>041-051-082000- GREENE VA-MADISON VA-CULPEPER VA-PAGE VA-RAPPAHANNOCK VA-FAUQUIER VA- 208 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT GREENE...MADISON...CULPEPER... PAGE...RAPPAHANNOCK AND FAUQUIER COUNTIES... AT 208 PM EST...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM BIG MEADOWS TO 4 MILES NORTH OF FLETCHER TO MCMULLEN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH. THESE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH...IN ADDITION TO OCCASSIONAL CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. THE COMMUNITIES OF MADISON...SPERRYVILLE...CULPEPER...HUME AND WARRENTON WILL BE AFFECTED BY THESE STORMS. SMZ
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 208 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 MDZ007-081945- HARFORD MD- 208 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT HARFORD COUNTY... AT 208 PM EST...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 3 MILES NORTHWEST OF SCARBORO TO 6 MILES SOUTH OF ABINGDON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH. THESE STORMS MAY PRODUCE WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH IN ADDITION TO HEAVY RAINFALL. THE COMMUNITIES OF ABERDEEN AND HAVRE DE GRACE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THESE STORMS. RESIDENTS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT IN CASE WARNINGS ARE ISSUED. PELOQUIN
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 231 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 VAZ027-028-030-031-039>042-051-052-WVZ052-053-082030- MADISON VA-CULPEPER VA-RAPPAHANNOCK VA-FAUQUIER VA-WARREN VA- SHENANDOAH VA-CLARKE VA-LOUDOUN VA-JEFFERSON WV-BERKELEY WV- PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK VA-FREDERICK VA- 231 PM EST SAT MAR 8 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT MADISON...CULPEPER... RAPPAHANNOCK...FAUQUIER...WARREN...SHENANDOAH...CLARKE...LOUDOUN... JEFFERSON...BERKELEY...PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK AND FREDERICK COUNTIES... AT 231 PM EST...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR WINCHESTER TO MADISON COUNTY VIRGINIA MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH. THESE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH. THE COMMUNITIES OF CULPEPER...WHITE POST...VIEWTOWN...LINDEN... STEPHENSON...RIXEYVILLE...MILLWOOD...MARKHAM...GLENGARY AND GERRARDSTOWN WILL BE AFFECTED BY THESE STORMS. ROSA
The Sterling radar (KLWX), 17 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:29 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Loudoun County Emergency Management reported a tree down on power lines at the intersection of Union and Wirt Streets in downtown Leesburg.
A trained spotter reported a tree down on Route 50 at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
The ASOS at Reagan National Airport measured a wind gust of 60 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, March 2008
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: 89645, 89646, 89647.