Scattered severe thunderstorms, associated with low pressure and a cold front, produced damaging winds and large hail across portions of south central and southeast Virginia.
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 AKQ wrote it up.
Scattered severe thunderstorms, associated with low pressure and a cold front, produced damaging winds and large hail across portions of south central and southeast Virginia.
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 Wakefield, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 20, 12:57 PM EST, 48 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
157 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008
.SYNOPSIS...
AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WILL MOVE THROUGH THE REGION TODAY...WITH
SHOWERS AND SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY THROUGH THE EVENING. A
SERIES OF WEAK FRONTS WILL MOVE THROUGH THE MID ATLANTIC WEDNESDAY
THROUGH THURSDAY. HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD IN ON FRIDAY AND REMAIN
IN PLACE THROUGH THE WEEKEND...WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES AND DRIER
CONDITIONS RETURNING.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
UPDATED FOR SVR WATCH 327 IN EFFECT THRU 0Z.
PREV DISCUSSION IS BLO...
INSTABILITY PARAMETERS HAVE RISEN SIGNIFICANTLY COMPARED TO THIS
TIME YESTERDAY. GFS AND NAM BUFR SOUNDINGS INDICATE CAPES OF 2000
TO 3000 J/KG...AND LIS UP TO -6C. A LLVL JET WITH A CORE OF 40-50
KT WINDS CURRENTLY OVER THE APPALACHIANS WILL PROGRESS TO THE EAST
AND WILL REACH THE COAST BY MIDDAY. ANY BREAKS IN THE CLOUD
COVERAGE WILL INCREASE THE INSTABILITY EVEN FURTHER. THE MAIN
THREAT WITH THUNDERSTORMS WOULD BE HAIL AND STRONG/GUSTY WINDS.
&&
.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
BACK EDGE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL APPROACH THE SE VA/NE
NC COAST EARLY THIS EVENING...WITH THE CHANCE OF PRECIP DIMINISHING
AS THE MAIN ENERGY AND MOISTURE SHIFT OFFSHORE BY SUNSET. DRIER
AND MORE STABLE AIR WILL MOVE IN BEHIND THE FRONT...WITH SKIES
BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY ACROSS THE CWA BY MIDNIGHT. LOW TEMPERATURES
WILL RANGE FROM THE UPR 40S OVER FAR NW COUNTIES...TO MID 50S TOWARDS
HAMPTON ROADS AND THE OUTER BANKS.
MODELS CONTINUE TO MOVE A SERIES OF WEAK SHORT WAVE TROUGHS THROUGH
THE REGION WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. THE TROUGHS WILL ROTATE
AROUND AN UPPER LEVEL LOW CENTERED OVER SOUTHERN ONTARIO. MOISTURE
AND LIFT ARE LIMITED WITH EACH TROUGH...SO HAVE ONLY INCLUDED A
SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN FOR POSSIBLE INSTABILITY SHOWERS ON WEDNESDAY
WITH THURSDAY DRY FOR NOW. HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN SLIGHTLY
BELOW NORMAL WITH BELOW NORMAL HEIGHTS IN PLACE...NEAR 70 AT THE
BEACHES TO LOWER 70S INLAND.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
THE UPPER LEVEL LOW WILL MOVE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND AND OUT OVER THE
CANADIAN MARITIMES BY FRIDAY...AS HIGH PRESSURE CENTERED OVER THE
GREAT LAKES BUILDS IN FROM THE NW. A NORTHERLY/NORTHEASTERLY FLOW
AROUND THE HIGH WILL KEEP HIGH TEMPERATURES SLIGHTLY BELOW NORMAL
ON FRIDAY...GENERALLY LWR 70S...EXCEPT UPR 60S ALONG THE ERN SHORE
AND BEACHES WITH AN ONSHORE FLOW OFF THE COOL WATER. THE NORTHERLY
FLOW CONTINUES ON SATURDAY WITH TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 70 TO
75. BY SUNDAY THE HIGH MOVES TO THE SE TOWARDS THE CAROLINAS.
TEMPERATURES WILL WARM WITH WINDS EVENTUALLY BECOMING SW...HIGHS
IN THE MID TO UPR 70S. EVEN WARMER ON MONDAY AS THE SW FLOW
CONTINUES AND STRENGTHENS...HIGHS 80 TO 85.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
CONDITIONS REMAIN VFR EARLY THIS MORNING THROUGH 12Z...THEN
CIGS/VSBYS MAY DROP INTO MVFR RANGE/TEMPO IFR ACRS NORTHERN AREAS
SUCH AS SBY AND PERHAPS RIC. FARTHER SOUTH EXPECT FLOW TO TURN TO
SW AND BECOME BREEZY...WITH MAINLY VFR CONDITIONS THROUGHOUT THE
DAY EXCEPT FOR SCTD SHWRS/TSTMS LATE IN THE MRNG AND AFTN...MOST
LIKELY 15Z THROUGH 20Z. WINDS SHIFT TO NW AND N BETWN 20Z AND
00Z...WITH DRIER CONDITIONS MOVING IN. DEPENDING ON RAIN AMTS
THERE COULD BE PATCHY FOG FROM 06 TO 12Z WED. OTHERWISE...MAINLY
VFR CONDITIONS PREVAIL INTO THE WEEKEND...WITH ISO SHWRS POSSIBLE
WED AFTN/EVENG.
&&
.MARINE...
WENT AHEAD AND RAISED SCA FLAGS FOR ALL MARINE ZNS THRU LT THIS
EVENING. LT AFTERNOON MSAS ANALYSIS REVEALS LOW JUST OVER NORTHERN
COASTAL WATERS ATTM...WITH TRAILING FRONT SNAKING WEST OF THE CHES
BAY.
TONIGHT/WED...BRIEF SURGE OF COOLER AIR SHOULD HELP MIXING IN NW TO
NORTH WINDS THIS EVENING. MODELS STILL DISGREE WRT LOW TRACK...BUT
CAN STILL SEEM TO AGREE THAT SCA WL BE ABLE TO GET TAKEN DOWN LT
TONIGHT...AS WINDS BECOME MUCH LIGHTER OVERNIGHT. WRF/SREF/RUC13
BLEND HAS PERFORMED QUITE WELL IN COMPARISON TO OTHER GUIDANCE
THIS AFTN...AND HV APPLIED THIS BLEND THRU LT THIS EVENING.
SREF/GFS BLEND WAS FAVORED FROM THERE FWD. WSW FLOW AGAIN
DEVELOPS WED AFTN...LOOKS TO BE SUB SCA AT THIS POINT.
STRONGER COLD FRONT/HIGH PRESSURE BUILDING IN FROM THE WEST LOOKS TO
BRING A PERIOD OF HIGHER WINDS THU NGT INTO FRIDAY. HIGH PRES WILL
THEN BUILD IN FROM THE NW ALLOWING FOR MORE BENIGN CONDITIONS AND AN
IDEAL HOLIDAY WEEKEND FOR BOATERS.
&&
.AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...NONE.
NC...NONE.
VA...NONE.
MARINE...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT FOR ANZ630>633-
650-652-654-656-658.
&&
SYNOPSIS...JRL
NEAR TERM...JRL/KLL
SHORT TERM...JRL
LONG TERM...KLL
AVIATION...LKB
MARINE...LKB/MAMHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 123 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 MDZ021>025-VAZ048-049-062-064-074>076-211730- DORCHESTER-WICOMICO-SOMERSET-INLAND WORCESTER-MARYLAND BEACHES- FLUVANNA-LOUISA-GOOCHLAND-CAROLINE-ESSEX-WESTMORELAND-RICHMOND- 123 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND...CENTRAL VIRGINIA...THE MIDDLE PENINSULA OF VIRGINIA...THE NORTHERN NECK OF VIRGINIA AND THE PIEDMONT OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY... NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED. VAZ060-061-063-066>073-077-078-083-211730- PRINCE EDWARD-CUMBERLAND-HANOVER-LUNENBURG-NOTTOWAY-AMELIA-POWHATAN- CHESTERFIELD-HENRICO-KING WILLIAM-KING AND QUEEN-NORTHUMBERLAND- LANCASTER-NEW KENT- 123 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 327 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL VIRGINIA...EAST CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA...THE MIDDLE PENINSULA OF VIRGINIA...THE NORTHERN NECK OF VIRGINIA AND THE PIEDMONT OF CENTRAL 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 .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY... NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED. ANZ650-211730- COASTAL WATERS FROM FENWICK ISLAND DE TO CHINCOTEAGUE VA OUT 20 NM- 123 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE MID ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS. .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. SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY... NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED. ANZ630>633-652-654-656-658-211730- CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM SMITH POINT TO WINDMILL POINT VA- CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM WINDMILL POINT TO NEW POINT COMFORT VA- CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM NEW POINT COMFORT TO CAPE HENRY VA- CURRITUCK SOUND- COASTAL WATERS FROM CHINCOTEAGUE TO PARRAMORE ISLAND VA OUT 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS FROM PARRAMORE ISLAND TO CAPE CHARLES LIGHT VA OUT 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE CHARLES LIGHT VA TO NC VA BORDER OUT 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS FROM NC VA BORDER TO CURRITUCK BEACH LIGHT NC OUT 20 NM- 123 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 327 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE CENTRAL CHESAPEAKE BAY...THE SOUTHERN CHESAPEAKE BAY...THE MID ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS AND CURRITUCK SOUND. .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. SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY... NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED. NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ065-079>082-084>100-211730- NORTHAMPTON NC-HERTFORD-GATES-PASQUOTANK-CAMDEN-INLAND CURRITUCK- BERTIE-CHOWAN-PERQUIMANS-OUTER BANKS CURRITUCK-MECKLENBURG-BRUNSWICK- DINWIDDIE-PRINCE GEORGE-CHARLES CITY-GLOUCESTER-MIDDLESEX-MATHEWS- GREENSVILLE-SUSSEX-SURRY-JAMES CITY-YORK-SOUTHAMPTON-ISLE OF WIGHT- NEWPORT NEWS/HAMPTON-NORFOLK/PORTSMOUTH-SUFFOLK-CHESAPEAKE- VIRGINIA BEACH-ACCOMACK-NORTHAMPTON VA- 123 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 327 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR COASTAL NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...INTERIOR NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...THE NORTHERN OUTER BANKS OF NORTH CAROLINA...CENTRAL VIRGINIA...EAST CENTRAL VIRGINIA...INTERIOR SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA...SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS VIRGINIA...THE EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA...THE MIDDLE PENINSULA OF VIRGINIA AND THE PENINSULA OF SOUTHEAST 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 .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY... NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 857 AM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 NCZ014-016-017-VAZ095>098-201400- CAMDEN NC-CHESAPEAKE VA-GATES NC-NORFOLK/PORTSMOUTH VA-SUFFOLK VA-VIRGINIA BEACH VA-WESTERN CURRITUCK NC- 857 AM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 ...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE AREA... AT 857 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SOLID AREA OF SHOWERS WITH EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL FROM 12 MILES SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN SUFFOLK...OR ABOUT 7 MILES NORTH OF SUNBURY...MOVING EAST AROUND 40 MPH. THE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR NORTHWEST...AND...HICKORY AT 910 AM EDT...BACK BAY...AND...MUNDEN AT 920 AM EDT. EXPECT OCCASIONAL CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL WITH THESE STORMS. PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS AND VERY MINOR FLOODING OF LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS IS ALSO POSSIBLE. IF YOU HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE INTO A SAFE SHELTER BEFORE THESE STORMS REACH YOUR AREA. REMAIN INDOORS UNTIL THE STORMS HAVE PASSED. LYNCH
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 907 AM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 VAZ089-091-093-094-201400- ISLE OF WIGHT VA-NEWPORT NEWS/HAMPTON VA-SURRY VA-YORK VA- 907 AM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 ...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE AREA... AT 907 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SOLID AREA OF SHOWERS WITH EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS FROM 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF SMITHFIELD...MOVING EAST AROUND 40 MPH. THE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR LANGLEY AFB...AND...LANGLEY VIEW AT 915 AM EDT...MESSICK...AND...FOX HILL AT 920 AM EDT. EXPECT OCCASIONAL CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL WITH THESE STORMS. PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS AND MINOR FLOODING OF LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS IS ALSO POSSIBLE. IF YOU HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE INTO A SAFE SHELTER BEFORE THESE STORMS REACH YOUR AREA. REMAIN INDOORS UNTIL THE STORMS HAVE PASSED. LYNCH
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 121 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 VAZ060-066>068-070-079-080-201800- AMELIA VA-BRUNSWICK VA-CHESTERFIELD VA-DINWIDDIE VA-LUNENBURG VA-NOTTOWAY VA-PRINCE EDWARD VA- 121 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 ...DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORMS MOVING INTO THE SOUTHERN PIEDMONT... AT 120 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS FROM 8 MILES NORTH OF CREWE TO 30 MILES WEST OF VICTORIA...OR FROM 8 MILES NORTH OF CREWE TO 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PHENIX...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH. THE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...CREWE AROUND 135 PM EDT...MANNBORO AROUND 145 PM EDT... VICTORIA AROUND 150 PM EDT AND KENBRIDGE AROUND 155 PM EDT. WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH...BRIEF HEAVY RAIN AND SMALL HAIL ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. EXPECT FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS. IF YOU HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE INTO A SAFE SHELTER BEFORE THESE STORMS REACH YOUR AREA. REMAIN INDOORS UNTIL THE STORMS HAVE PASSED. SAMMLER
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 135 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 VAZ065-066-079-201815- BRUNSWICK VA-LUNENBURG VA-MECKLENBURG VA- 135 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 ...DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORMS MOVING TOWARD LUNENBURG AND MECKLENBURG COUNTIES... AT 134 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS FROM 15 MILES NORTHWEST OF CHASE CITY TO 40 MILES WEST OF CHASE CITY...OR FROM CLOVER TO 8 MILES NORTH OF MILTON...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH. THE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...CHASE CITY AROUND 155 PM EDT. WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH...BRIEF HEAVY RAIN...AND SMALL HAIL ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. EXPECT FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS. IF YOU HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE INTO A SAFE SHELTER BEFORE THESE STORMS REACH YOUR AREA. REMAIN INDOORS UNTIL THE STORMS HAVE PASSED. SAMMLER
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 200 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 VAZ065>068-070-079>081-087-088-201845- AMELIA VA-BRUNSWICK VA-CHESTERFIELD VA-DINWIDDIE VA-GREENSVILLE VA-LUNENBURG VA-MECKLENBURG VA-NOTTOWAY VA-PRINCE GEORGE VA-SUSSEX VA- 200 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING TOWARD THE TRI-CITIES AND INTO PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA... AT 159 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS FROM 15 MILES NORTHEAST OF BLACKSTONE TO 25 MILES WEST OF SOUTH HILL...OR FROM MANNBORO TO 10 MILES SOUTHEAST OF REDOAK...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH. THE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...SUTHERLAND AROUND 205 PM EDT...ADDISON AROUND 210 PM EDT... PETERSBURG AROUND 215 PM EDT...NEW BOHEMIA AROUND 220 PM EDT... EBONY AROUND 225 PM EDT...AND GASBURG AROUND 230 PM EDT. WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH...SMALL HAIL...BRIEF HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE EXPECTED IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS. IF YOU HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE INTO A SAFE SHELTER BEFORE THESE STORMS REACH YOUR AREA. REMAIN INDOORS UNTIL AFTER THE STORMS HAVE PASSED. SAMMLER
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 235PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 NCZ012-VAZ065-079>081-087>094-201915- BRUNSWICK VA-DINWIDDIE VA-GREENSVILLE VA-ISLE OF WIGHT VA-JAMES CITY VA-MECKLENBURG VA-NEWPORT NEWS/HAMPTON VA-NORTHAMPTON NC-PRINCE GEORGE VA-SOUTHAMPTON VA-SURRY VA-SUSSEX VA-YORK VA- 235 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING TOWARD WILLIAMSBURG...EMPORIA AND ROANOKE RAPIDS... AT 233 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS FROM 5 MILES WEST OF CLAREMONT TO 25 MILES SOUTHWEST OF SOUTH HILL...OR FROM 5 MILES WEST OF CLAREMONT TO 15 MILES EAST OF VIRGILINA...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH. THE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...STONY CREEK AROUND 245 PM EDT... JAMESTOWN AROUND 250 PM EDT...ALLIANCE AROUND 255 PM EDT... BUSCH GARDENS AROUND 300 PM EDT...HORNSBYVILLE AROUND 310 PM EDT AND SEAFORD AROUND 315 PM EDT. WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH...HAIL UP TO MARBLE SIZE...BRIEF HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE EXPECTED IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS. IF YOU HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE INTO A SAFE SHELTER BEFORE THESE STORMS REACH YOUR AREA. REMAIN INDOORS UNTIL THE STORMS HAVE PASSED. SAMMLER
The Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 92 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:44 UTC.
8 hail, 6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were downed just to the east of Brodnax.
Penny size hail was reported on U.S. Highway 46 between Brunswick and the town of Valentine, about 4 miles north of Gasburg.
Numerous trees were downed.
Numerous trees were downed.
Quarter size hail was reported about one mile east of Suffolk Airport.
Golfball size hail was reported in Hampton.
Golfball size hail was reported in Hampton.
Nickel size hail was reported on Carlton Court.
Quarter size hail was reported just off of Route 464 in Chesapeake.
Penny size hail was reported at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Administration Building.
Spotter reported a 60 mph wind gust west of Oceana NAS.
Numerous large trees were downed near Greenbrier and Volvo Parkway.
Trees were downed.
Penny size hail was reported on Indian River Road.
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, May 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: 107111, 107110, 107114, 107115, 107121, 107118, 107119, 107120, 107116, 107112, 107124, 107117, 107123, 107122.