In the advance of a strong cold front, numerous showers and thunderstorms developed. Many of these grew to severe levels and produced damaging winds and 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 RNK wrote it up.
In the advance of a strong cold front, numerous showers and thunderstorms developed. Many of these grew to severe levels and produced damaging winds and hail. Enough rotation existed for the development of three tornadoes, two occurring in Pittsylvania County and one in southern Campbell County.
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 Jul 17, 6:19 AM EST, 29 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA 719 AM EDT FRI JUL 17 2009 .SYNOPSIS... A COLD FRONT WITH AN ASSOCIATED AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WILL SLIDE SOUTHEAST THROUGH THE REGION LATER THIS AFTERNOON BEFORE STALLING ALONG THE COAST INTO SUNDAY. COOLER HIGH PRESSURE SHOULD WORK INTO THE AREA BEHIND THE FRONT OVER THE WEEKEND. MOISTURE ALONG THE COAST WILL BEGIN TO RETURN INLAND EARLY NEXT WEEK AS STRONG HIGH PRESSURE OFFSHORE STARTS TO SHIFT WESTWARD. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... NOT A LOT OF CHANGE IN THE GOING FORECAST INTO TONIGHT AS THE UPPER TROF TO THE WEST AMPLIFIES PUSHING THE ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT THRU THE AREA BY TONIGHT. LOOKS LIKE THE MAIN QUESTION THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE DEGREE OF INSTABILITY SINCE STARTING OUT WITH A LOT OF MID DECK...WHILE IR PICS INDICATE CLOUDS WITH THE FRONT NOT TOO FAR AWAY AS WELL. LATEST MODELS A BIT WEAKER AND FARTHER EAST WITH WAVE ALONG THE FRONT LATER ON AS WILL HAVE ONE S/W EXITING NORTH THIS MORNING AND A COUPLE OTHERS DIGGING TOWARD THE AREA BY AFTERNOON. APPEARS COMBO OF THESE FEATURES ALONG WITH INCREASING JET ALOFT AND RH TRANSPORT ENOUGH TO STILL WARRANT DECENT CONVECTIVE COVERAGE TODAY DESPITE MORE LOW LEVEL WESTERLY FLOW THAN EARLIER THOUGHT. IN ADDITION MOST GUIDANCE INCLUDING THE LOCAL WRF HAS BEEN OVERDONE WITH SHRA ALONG THE MOUNTAINS EARLY THIS MORNING...AND NOW HAVE THE BEST UPPER DIFFLUENCE SWINGING FARTHER NORTH OVER THE 85H THETA-E AXIS. THEREFORE THINK COVERAGE WILL BE LESS OVER THE WEST THIS MORNING...WITH DYNAMICS LEADING TO SHRA ALONG THE BLUE RIDGE BY MIDDAY...THEN QUICKLY SHIFTING EAST TO THE PIEDMONT LEE TROF THIS AFTERNOON. SINCE THE EASTERN AREAS LOOK TO HAVE THE BETTER INSTABILITY AND SHEAR WILL SPEED UP LIKELY POPS THERE THIS AFTERNOON AND DRY SLOT THINGS OVER THE WEST A BIT SOONER. GIVEN THE ENTIRE CWA IN A SLIGHT RISK OF SVR PER SWODY1 WILL BEEF UP IN THE HWO ESPCLY GIVEN THE LATEST LOCAL WRF QUITE BULLISH NATURE IN REGARDS TO STRONGER STORMS ACROSS THE EAST THIS AFTERNOON. OTRW LOWERED HIGHS SOME GIVEN THE CLOUDY ONSET AND QUICKER ARRIVAL OF SHRA/TSRA THIS AFTERNOON. FRONT EXITS A BIT FASTER THIS EVENING WITH ANY LINGERING POPS SHUTTING OFF AFTER MIDNIGHT EXCEPT POSSIBLY THE NW WHERE A FEW UPSLOPE SHRA MAY HANG ON. EXPECT DRY SLOT AND DOWNSLOPING TO EVEN BRING SOME CLEARING LATE TONIGHT OUTSIDE THE FAR WEST AS SURGE OF 85H COOL/DRY ADVECTION WORKS OFF THE BLUE RIDGE BY MORNING. THUS BUMPED LOWS DOWN A FEW DEGREES IN MOST SPOTS FOR THE OVERNIGHT. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... THE PERSISTENT EASTERN TROUGH THIS SPRING/SUMMER HAS PRODUCED A SIMILAR STRING OF EVENTS THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS ACROSS THE CWA...WHICH WILL PLAY OUT THROUGH THE SHORT TERM. FIRST...DEEP TROUGH SLOWLY WEAKENS AS THE MAIN CLOSED H5 LOW LEAVES THE GREAT LAKES...WITH SURFACE LOW ALSO MOVING INTO THE CANADIAN MARITIMES. FRIDAYS PRECIP LEAVES LLVL MOISTURE WHICH IS CONVERTED INTO A STRATOCU FIELD UNDERNEATH A STRONG INVERSION AFTER THE COLD FRONT HAS PASSED ON SATURDAY. CLDS HANGING ACROSS THE GREENBRIER VALLEY MOST OF SATURDAY MAY KEEP THEM PINNED BELOW 70F FOR HIGHS. EXPECTING CLDS TO BUBBLE UP IN THE DESTRUCTIVE SUNSHINE ELSEWHERE SATURDAY MORNING AIDED BY ANOTHER SHRTWV ARRIVING SAT PM. THIS SHOULD ALLOW SOME OF THE CLOUDINESS TO EXPAND EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE. THERE MAY BE ENOUGH INSTABILITY FOR A FEW SHOWERS THROUGH MAINLY SE WEST VA AND EXTREME WESTERN VA. AS UPPER HIGHS ALONG THE WESTERN/EASTERN PERIPHERY OF THE TROUGH TRY TO PINCH OFF ITS SOUTHERN HALF...THE RESULTING SURFACE HIGH ALONG THE NEW ENGLAND COAST PRODUCES DEEP SE TO E FLOW BY EARLY NEXT WEEK. GOOD CONVERGENCE DEVELOPS ALONG THE APP/BLUE RIDGE MTNS AS THE UPPER HIGH ACROSS THE SW CONUS TRIES TO EXPAND EAST. THUS...DID INC POPS ON MONDAY AND REDUCE MAX T. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... WARMER TEMPS HEADING INTO THE MIDDLE/END OF NEXT WEEK AS THE UPPER RIDGE RETROGRADES WESTWARD. OVERALL...WILL BECOME INCREASINGLY WARM AND HUMID NEXT WEEK. THE BETTER CHC OF SHOWERS/TSTMS THRU WED WILL BE ALONG AND EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE WITH THE LOW LEVEL EAST TO SOUTHEAST FLOW. BY THURSDAY...WITH THE UPPER RIDGE BUILDING INTO THE AREA...THE BETTER CHC FOR SHOWERS/TSTMS SHOULD SHIFT MORE TO THE MTNS. HAVE STAYED CLOSE TO HPC GUIDANCE FOR TEMPS. HIGHS WILL GRADUALLY WARM TO NEAR NORMAL BY THURSDAY. IT WILL BE HUMID THOUGH...AND WITH THE HIGH DEWPOINTS...OVERNIGHT LOWS WILL BE ON THE WARM SIDE. && .AVIATION /11Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... WIDESPREAD SHRA/TSRA WILL CONTINUE OVER THE WESTERN SITES THIS MORNING WITH MVFR/IFR IN RAIN AND LOWER CIGS THRU AT LEAST MID MORNING AT KBLF/KLWB. SOME OF THIS MAY SPREAD EAST TOWARD ROA BEFORE WEAKENING SO WILL INCLUDE A SHRA MENTION THERE THIS MORNING. EXPECT EASTERN SITES TO REMAIN MAINLY VFR UNTIL MIDDAY WITH A BRIEF PERIOD OF MVFR IN FOG IN SPOTS THRU 14Z. WITH A SURFACE FRONT MOVING INTO THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON...EXPECT SHOWERS AND STORMS TO BECOME WIDESPREAD AGAIN. DEEPER CONVECTION IS LIKELY DURING THE AFTERNOON WITH SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS. THESE STORMS WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH TURBULENCE AND MVFR RESTRICTIONS ARE POSSIBLE UNTIL SHOWERS EXIT THE REGION SATURDAY NIGHT. SINCE DEGREE OF COVERAGE OUT EAST A LITTLE TRICKY THIS AFTERNOON WILL ONLY INCLUDE PREVAILING MVFR OVER THE WEST IN CONVECTION AND CONTINUE THE VCTS/CB MENTION IN THE EAST. DRIER AIR WILL FOLLOW THE FRONT LATER TONIGHT THRU SUNDAY BRINGING A RETURN TO VFR CONDITIONS EXCEPT ACROSS THE NW MOUNTAINS AND ACROSS THE FAR EASTERN SITES WHERE MVFR CEILINGS MAY LINGER OVERNIGHT INTO SAT. LOWER CLOUDS AND SHOWERS COULD RETURN AGAIN FOR EARLY IN THE WEEK ESPCLY ACROSS THE EASTERN SITES AS MOISTURE BACKS INLAND FROM THE RESIDUAL FRONT ALONG THE COAST. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...NONE. NC...NONE. WV...NONE. && SYNOPSIS...JH/JJ NEAR TERM...JH SHORT TERM...KM LONG TERM...JJ AVIATION...JH/PM/RCS
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA 352 AM EDT FRI JUL 17 2009 NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059- WVZ042>045-180800- ASHE-ALLEGHANY NC-SURRY-STOKES-ROCKINGHAM-CASWELL-WATAUGA-WILKES- YADKIN-TAZEWELL-SMYTH-BLAND-GILES-WYTHE-PULASKI-MONTGOMERY-GRAYSON- CARROLL-FLOYD-CRAIG-ALLEGHANY VA-BATH-ROANOKE-BOTETOURT-ROCKBRIDGE- PATRICK-FRANKLIN-BEDFORD-AMHERST-HENRY-PITTSYLVANIA-CAMPBELL- APPOMATTOX-BUCKINGHAM-HALIFAX-CHARLOTTE-MERCER-SUMMERS-MONROE- GREENBRIER- 352 AM EDT FRI JUL 17 2009 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA...NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. CLUSTERS OF STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...CONTAINING LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING ALONG A COLD FRONT DROPPING SOUTHEAST INTO THE AREA. VERY HEAVY RAINFALL CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LOCALIZED FLOODING MAY ALSO OCCUR WITH ANY OF THE STRONGER STORMS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
609 AM EDT FRI JUL 17 2009
VAZ007-WVZ042-043-171045-
MERCER WV-SUMMERS WV-TAZEWELL VA-
609 AM EDT FRI JUL 17 2009
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT MERCER AND SUMMERS
COUNTIES...
AT 608 AM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 5 MILES SOUTH OF
MATOAKA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.
WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH AND PEA-SIZED HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
THIS STORM WILL BE NEAR SANDLICK...AND MATOAKA AROUND 615 AM...
CERES...AND WENONAH AROUND 620 AM...KEGLEY AROUND 625 AM...
SPANISHBURG...AND PRINCETON AROUND 630 AM...CAMP CREEK...AND CAMP
CREEK STATE PARK AROUND 635 AM AND ATHENS AROUND 640 AM.
LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE MEDIA OUTLET FOR LATER
UPDATES OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
LAT...LON 3741 8132 3742 8129 3745 8130 3749 8127
3752 8121 3755 8121 3760 8115 3760 8109
3765 8107 3771 8097 3752 8080 3744 8086
3742 8085 3722 8131 3732 8139
EXPERIMENTAL
JHSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
731 AM EDT FRI JUL 17 2009
VAZ012-013-015-016-171230-
CARROLL VA-GRAYSON VA-PULASKI VA-WYTHE VA-
731 AM EDT FRI JUL 17 2009
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CARROLL...GRAYSON...PULASKI AND
WYTHE COUNTIES...
AT 730 AM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES WEST OF
FRIES...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.
THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE PEA-SIZED HAIL AND GUSTY WINDS TO 45 MPH.
THIS STORM WILL BE NEAR FRIES...AND CRIPPLE CREEK AROUND 745 AM...
BYLLESBY AROUND 755 AM...IVANHOE AROUND 800 AM...COLEMAN STORE...AND
GALAX HILLSVILLE AIRPORT AROUND 805 AM...GRAHAMS FORGE...AND MAX
MEADOWS AROUND 820 AM...PATTERSON AND AND SYLVATUS AROUND 825 AM.
LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE MEDIA OUTLET FOR LATER
UPDATES OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
LAT...LON 3670 8124 3711 8088 3695 8058 3693 8062
3690 8060 3658 8109
EXPERIMENTAL
JHThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 69 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:47 UTC.
27 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Large trees were blown down on Route 94, Ivanhoe Road. Damage values are estimated.
Two large trees were blown down on Brush Creek Road near the Floyd and Montgomery County border. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew a large limb greater than four inches in diameter off a walnut tree. Damage values are estimated.
Large trees were blown down on Old Forge Road. Damage values are estimated.
A large tree was blown down at the intersection of Leaning Oak Road and Green Level Road. Damage values are estimated.
Several large trees were blown down. Damage values are estimated.
Trees were blown down on Route 122 between Harmony School Road and Hardy Road. Damage values are estimated.
Trees were blown down at the intersection of Brooks Mill Road and Scruggs Road. Damage values are estimated.
A roof was blown off a trailer, and numerous trees were uprooted. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew two trees down. Damage values are estimated.
The tornado caused damage to mainly trees. However, one tree fell on a house. Damage values are estimated.
Trees were blown down on Prospect Road. Damage values are estimated.
A telephone pole was blown down by thunderstorm winds. Damage values are estimated.
The tornado caused many trees to be blown down. Eight structures were damaged by the fallen trees with two of these having trees fall through their roofs. Damage values are estimated.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Damage values are estimated.
A brief tornado touchdown occurred just north of Epsons Road, two miles west of Brookneal. The tornado downed and snapped numerous trees. Damage values are estimated.
A microburst occurred near the intersection of Epsons Road and McIver Road west of Brookneal. Damaging winds downed many trees. Some of the fallen trees damaged two houses and destroyed three sheds. Damage values are estimated.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across southern Campbell County. The trees were down on structures on Jennings Road, Charlotte Street and Lewis Ford Road. The most widespread damage was near Naruna. Damage values are estimated.
Several large tree branches were blown down. Damage values are estimated.
Trees were blown down in Volens. Damage values are estimated.
Numerous trees were blown down. One tree fell on top a mobile home. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down. Damage values are estimated.
Numerous trees were blown down. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew trees down in Halifax. Damage values are estimated.
A large tree and power lines were blown down. Damage values are estimated.
A tree was blown down across Route 116. Damage values are estimated.
Trees were blown down near the intersection of North Ridge Road and Middle Valley Road. Damage values are estimated.
A tree was blown down across Glade Road. Damage values are estimated.
Trees were blown down on Straightstone Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down on Kings Highway. Damage values are estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Virginia, 2009Warnings in Virginia, July 2009
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: 187191, 187192, 187193, 187194, 187195, 187196, 187197, 187198, 187199, 187624, 187626, 187630, 187636, 187639, 187642, 189825, 189826, 189838, 189839, 189827, 189828, 189829, 189830, 189831, 189832, 189910, 189833, 189834, 189835, 189836, 189837, 189915.