Tornado and Hail in Virginia, May 4, 2009

Name: Tornado and Hail in Virginia, May 4, 2009
Start: 2009-05-04T12:52
End: 2009-05-04T18:50
Location: Virginia

May 4, 2009 · NWS AKQ · 15 events in 4 counties and zones

Scattered severe thunderstorms along a frontal boundary produced large hail, damaging winds and one tornado across portions of southeast Virginia.

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: 1
Property damage: $33,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 15

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 AKQ wrote it up.

Scattered severe thunderstorms along a frontal boundary produced large hail, damaging winds and one tornado across portions of southeast Virginia.

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 Wakefield, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 4, 12:41 PM EST, 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 4, 12:41 PM EST, 11 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
141 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

.SYNOPSIS...
A STATIONARY FRONT WILL MEANDER ACROSS SOUTHERN VIRGINIA OVER THE
NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. A SERIES OF LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS WILL MOVE
ALONG THIS BOUNDARY THROUGH MID WEEK.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
UPDATE FOR ISSUANCE OF TOR WATCH 239 THROUGH 22Z.

LATEST WX ANALYSIS DEPICTS MEANDERING FRONTAL BOUNDARY JUST SOUTH
OF VA CAPES...EXTENDING EAST TO JUST SOUTH OF A RIC-LYH-LYH-TRI
LINE. SMALL AXIS OF LGT TO MOD RAINFALL...ORIENTED MAINLY TO THE
NORTH OF AKQ CWA PUSHING ACROSS THE REGION...WITH THE SOUTHERN
PERIPHERY OF THESE SHRAS JUST BRUSHING INTO NW ZONES. THESE SHRAS
ARE IN ASSN WITH UPR VORT MAX PUSHING ACROSS NORTHERN MID-ATL
REGION...WHICH IS NICELY VISIBLE ON LT MORNING RAMSDIS WV SAT
IMAGE.

RETAINED CHC SHRA WORDING FOR THE NEXT FEW HOURS OVER THE NORTHERN
TIER IN ASSOCIATION WITH THIS FEATURE. FAIRLY QUIET ATTM
OTHERWISE. DESPITE OVC SKIES OVER NORTHERN ZONES...NOTING GOOD
AMOUNT OF CLEARING...AND MOSTLY TO PARTLY SUNNY SKIES SOUTH OF
THE BOUNDARY. THESE TRENDS SEEM TO JIVE PRETTY WELL WITH LATEST
RUC...WHICH CONFINES INSTABILITY TO SOUTHERN TIER OF THE CWA
THROUGH THE AFTN. SLIGHT RISK CONTINUES OVER SOUTHERN HALF OF THE
AREA...ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS AT THIS TIME THAT THE BEST CHC FOR
CONVECTIVE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING WILL EXIST
ALONG AND EAST OF I-95 OVER SOUTH CENTRAL VA INTO THE TIDEWATER/NE
NC RGN. OVER THIS AREA...WITH MODERATELY UNSTABLE LIFT (ON THE
ORDER OF -3 TO -6 DEG C) OVER THIS AREA...CO-LOCATED WITH A MAXIMA
OF 0-6KM BULK SHEAR OF 40-45 KT. SCT T WORDING OVER THE SOUTHERN
HALF OF THE CWA CURRENTLY IN GRIDS...WITH A BUFFER STRIP OF
SHRAS/CHC T JUST NORTH OF THIS...ENCOMPASSING METRO RIC AND THE
NORTHERN HALF OF THE VA LWR EASTERN SHORE.

MAIN THREAT WITH STORMS TODAY WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS...ALTHOUGH LARGE
HAIL WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH WET BULBS NEAR 11K FT. WILL HAVE
TO WATCH FOR AN ISOLATED SHORT LIVED TORNADO WITH STORMS THAT MOVE
IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE STALLED OUT BOUNDARY AS IT SAGS
SOUTHWARD NEAR THE VA/NC BORDER LATE THIS AFTN AND THIS EVENING.
0-1KM EHI AND HELICITY VALUES APPEAR FAVORABLE AS WELL OVER SE VA
AND INTERIOR NE NC.

AS FOR TEMPERATURES...THEY REMAIN QUITE CHALLENGING CONSIDERING
BOUNDARY LOCATION AND THE POTENTIAL FOR CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY THIS
AFTN/EVE. NORTH OF THE BOUNDARY...LOOK FOR CONSIDERABLE CLOUDINESS
AND MAXIMA NOT GETTING MUCH HIGHER THAN L60S FAR NORTH...MID TO
UPR 60S FOR METRO RIC EAST TO THE NORTHERN NECK. SOUTH OF THE
BOUNDARY...TEMPS GET QUITE A BIT WARMER...WITH HIGHS IN THE UPR
70S TO MID 80S A GOOD BET ACROSS NE NC AND SOUTHERN TIDEWATER.

TONIGHT...
MAINLY DIURNALLY DRIVEN TSTMS WL WANE SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER
SUNSET...WITH TSTM CHCS DECREASING SIGNIFICANTLY TWRDS MIDNIGHT
N/S AS BOUNDARY CONTINUES TO SLIDE FURTHER SOUTHWARD INTO NC.
SNDGS SUGGEST MORE -RA/DZ OVRNT OVER NRN 1/3RD OF THE CWA. LOOKING
AT EARLY RETURNS FROM 12Z...STILL APPEARS THAT A SERIES OF LOWS
WILL MOVE OVER SE CWA OVERNIGHT. LOOK FOR AREAS OF MOD/HVY RAIN AT
TIMES ON THE NNW FLANK OF WHERE THE LOWS TRACK...MAINLY FROM SOUTH
CENTRAL VIRGINIA INTO THE EASTERN SHORE. SOME AREAS MAY RECEIVE
CLOSE TO 2 INCHES OVERNIGHT IN SOME LOCATIONS. THUNDER IS ALSO
POSSIBLE OVER FAR SE CWA ALONG AND SE OF THE TRACKS. LOW TEMPS IN
THE LOW 50S NNW TO THE LOW-MD 60S FAR SE.

ZFPAKQ ISSUED 1116 EDT.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
KEPT POPS AT CHC FOR NOW...WITH HIGHER AMOUNTS TO THE SE SECTION
OF THE AREA...CLOSER TO THE PROJECTED POSITION OF THE FRONTAL
BNDRY.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
EXTENDED PERIOD CHARACTERIZED BY CONTINUED INTERACTION WITH
MEANDERING FRONTAL BOUNDARY ACROSS THE MID-SOUTH INTO THE
MID-ATLANTIC REGION TO BEGIN THE PERIOD.

STILL CONTINUE TO LEAN TOWARDS THE ECMWF SOLN FOR THE LONG TERM
PERIOD. WRM FRNTL BNDRY NEAR THE VA/NC BORDER FINALLY LOOKS TO PUSH
N BY ERY THU MORNING. A S/W TROF/COLD FROPA LOOKS TO PUSH INTO THE
RGN BY LATER THU INTO FRI MORNG. CONSIDERING DEEP LAYER QUASI-ZONAL
(W/SW) FLOW DURING THIS PERIOD...GENERALLY LOWERED POPS TO LOW CHC
AT MOST FOR FRIDAY AND BEYOND.

A SECOND SFC TROF WL RIDE FROM THE GREAT LAKES INTO NEW
ENGLAND...WITH THE ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT PUSHING ACROSS THE REGION
NEXT WEEKEND...WITH HIGH PRESSURE SURGING INTO THE RGN BEHIND THE
FRONT. CONSIDERING THAT THE TIMING/POSITION OF FRNTL BOUNDARIES ARE
STILL QUITE UNCERTAIN IN THE EXTENDED PERIOD...WILL NOT GO MUCH
HIGHER THAN 30 POP FOR NOW CONSIDERING THE ACTIVITY WILL LIKELY BE
SCATTERED.

FOR TEMPS...MAXIMA LOOK TO RANGE THRU THE MID 70S NE TO LOW TO MID
80S ELSEWHERE FOR THE LATTER HALF OF THIS WEEK INTO NEXT WEEKEND.
MIN TEMPS WILL RANGE FM THE MID 50S TO MID 60S.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
TSTMS DVLPING ALONG AND S OF FNTL BDRY CURRENTLY STRETCHED OVER
SOUTHCENTRAL VA. HAVE TEMPO FOR RIC, ORF, AND ECG FOR TSTMS AND
GUSTS UP TO 30 KTS. VCTS ELSEWHERE. VRF/MVFR CONDITIONS ACROSS
THE ENTIRE FA THROUGH THIS EVENING WITH IFR CONDITIONS NEAR TSTMS.
CONDITIONS BECOMING IFR/LIFR OVERNIGHT AS CIGS AND VIS LOWER.

TUE/WED SHOULD SEE A DECREASE IN PRECIPITATION BUT A CONTINUATION
OF MVFR AND AT TIMES IFR OVER MUCH OF THE AREA AS THE FRONT CONTINUES
IN THE VICINITY AND LIGHT BOUNDARY AND SURFACE WINDS WILL KEEP LOW
LEVEL MOISTURE IN PLACE. SOME IMPROVEMENT IS POSSIBLE BY FRI WITH
EMPHASIS ON THE WORD POSSIBLE.

&&

.MARINE...
RAISED SCA FLAGS FOR COASTAL WATERS BETWEEN FENWICK AND
CHICOTEAGUE AS SWELL WILL KEEP SEAS AT OR SLIGHTLY ABOVE 5 FT
THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON. WILL MORE THAN LIKELY NEED TO EXTEND THE
ADVISORY AS MODELS KEEP SEAS UP THROUGH TONIGHT BUT WILL SAVE
FINAL DECISION FOR AFTERNOON PACKAGE. FRNTL BNDRY EXPECTED TO
DRIFT N ACROSS THE TIDEWATER AND ADJACENT CSTL WTRS THROUGH THE
AFTERNOON GIVING WINDS MORE OF A SOUTHERLY COMPONENT THERE. SE-S WINDS
CONT S OF THE BOUNDARY (AOA 20 KTS) CONT ACROSS NC CSTL WTRS
THROUGH THE AFTERNOON WITH N-NE WNDS CONT N OF BNDRY.

FRNTL BNDRY PROGGED TO REMAIN ACROSS CSTL WTRS THRU MID WEEK...THUS
WND DRCTN/SPEEDS WILL LIKELY CONT TO VARY DEPENDING ON EXACT LCTN.

&&

.AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...NONE.
NC...NONE.
VA...NONE.
MARINE...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR ANZ633-
     650-656-658.

&&

SYNOPSIS...MAM
NEAR TERM...CCW/MAM
SHORT TERM...CCW
LONG TERM...MAM
AVIATION...AM/MPR
MARINE...AM

Hazardous weather outlook, May 4, 12:34 PM EST, 18 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
134 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

VAZ060-061-065>071-073-079>084-086>100-051745-
PRINCE EDWARD-CUMBERLAND-MECKLENBURG-LUNENBURG-NOTTOWAY-AMELIA-
POWHATAN-CHESTERFIELD-HENRICO-KING AND QUEEN-BRUNSWICK-DINWIDDIE-
PRINCE GEORGE-CHARLES CITY-NEW KENT-GLOUCESTER-MATHEWS-GREENSVILLE-
SUSSEX-SURRY-JAMES CITY-YORK-SOUTHAMPTON-ISLE OF WIGHT-
NEWPORT NEWS/HAMPTON-NORFOLK/PORTSMOUTH-SUFFOLK-CHESAPEAKE-
VIRGINIA BEACH-ACCOMACK-NORTHAMPTON VA-
134 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

...TORNADO WATCH 239 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR 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...THE PENINSULA OF
SOUTHEAST 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.

   TORNADO WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

MDZ021>025-VAZ048-049-062>064-072-074>078-085-051745-
DORCHESTER-WICOMICO-SOMERSET-INLAND WORCESTER-MARYLAND BEACHES-
FLUVANNA-LOUISA-GOOCHLAND-HANOVER-CAROLINE-KING WILLIAM-ESSEX-
WESTMORELAND-RICHMOND-NORTHUMBERLAND-LANCASTER-MIDDLESEX-
134 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE OF
MARYLAND...CENTRAL VIRGINIA...EAST 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...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

NCZ012>017-030>032-102-051745-
NORTHAMPTON NC-HERTFORD-GATES-PASQUOTANK-CAMDEN-INLAND CURRITUCK-
BERTIE-CHOWAN-PERQUIMANS-OUTER BANKS CURRITUCK-
134 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 241 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR COASTAL NORTHEAST NORTH
CAROLINA...INTERIOR NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND THE NORTHERN OUTER
BANKS OF 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.

   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

ANZ633-658-051745-
CURRITUCK SOUND-
COASTAL WATERS FROM NC VA BORDER TO CURRITUCK BEACH LIGHT NC OUT
20 NM-
134 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 241 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR 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...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

ANZ631-632-654-051745-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM WINDMILL POINT TO NEW POINT COMFORT VA-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM NEW POINT COMFORT TO CAPE HENRY VA-
COASTAL WATERS FROM PARRAMORE ISLAND TO CAPE CHARLES LIGHT VA OUT
20 NM-
134 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

...TORNADO WATCH 239 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE SOUTHERN CHESAPEAKE BAY
AND 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.

   TORNADO WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

ANZ656-051745-
COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE CHARLES LIGHT VA TO NC VA BORDER OUT 20 NM-
134 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...
...TORNADO WATCH 239 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

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.
   TORNADO WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED.

ANZ650-051745-
COASTAL WATERS FROM FENWICK ISLAND DE TO CHINCOTEAGUE VA OUT 20 NM-
134 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...

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...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

ANZ630-652-051745-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM SMITH POINT TO WINDMILL POINT VA-
COASTAL WATERS FROM CHINCOTEAGUE TO PARRAMORE ISLAND VA OUT 20 NM-
134 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE CENTRAL CHESAPEAKE BAY
AND THE MID ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 4, 11:46 AM EST, 1 hour 6 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
1246 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

VAZ067-068-070-071-079>084-086>094-041900-
NOTTOWAY-AMELIA-CHESTERFIELD-HENRICO-BRUNSWICK-DINWIDDIE-
PRINCE GEORGE-CHARLES CITY-NEW KENT-GLOUCESTER-MATHEWS-
GREENSVILLE-SUSSEX-SURRY-JAMES CITY-YORK-SOUTHAMPTON-
ISLE OF WIGHT-NEWPORT NEWS/HAMPTON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CREWE...COLONIAL HEIGHTS...RICHMOND...
LAWRENCEVILLE...PETERSBURG...HOPEWELL...EMPORIA...WAKEFIELD...
WILLIAMSBURG...POQUOSON...FRANKLIN...NEWPORT NEWS...HAMPTON
1246 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

...SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP
THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...

SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND
MOVE NORTHEASTWARD ACROSS METRO RICHMOND...EAST TO THE MIDDLE
PENINSULA. YOU CAN EXPECT LIGHTNING...WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH...AND
HEAVY RAINFALL TO ACCOMPANY THESE SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS.

REMEMBER...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.

HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS...AND
POSSIBLE LOCALIZED FLOODING IN LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

05

Special weather statement, May 4, 12:04 PM EST, 48 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
104 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

NCZ013>016-VAZ096-041730-
CAMDEN NC-GATES NC-HERTFORD NC-PASQUOTANK NC-SUFFOLK VA-
104 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM MOVING INTO SOUTHWEST GATES COUNTY...

AT 103 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF GATESVILLE...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH. THE STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR
GATESVILLE...AND...CARTER AT 115 PM EDT...EASONS
CROSSROADS...AND...BUCKLAND AT 120 PM EDT...SUNBURY...AND...HAZELTON
AT 125 PM EDT...SAVAGE AT 130 PM EDT.

WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH AND SMALL HAIL ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS
STORM.

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.

25

Special weather statement, May 4, 12:09 PM EST, 43 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
109 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

VAZ063-070>072-083-041745-
CHESTERFIELD VA-HANOVER VA-HENRICO VA-KING WILLIAM VA-NEW KENT VA-
109 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM MOVING OVER THE CITY OF RICHMOND...

AT 109 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER MEADOWBROOK...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.
THE STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR DOWNTOWN
RICHMOND...AND...RICHMOND HEIGHTS AT 115 PM EDT...MONTROSE AT 120 PM
EDT...HIGHLAND SPRINGS...AND...FAIR OAKS AT 125 PM
EDT...MECHANICSVILLE AT 130 PM EDT...WESTWOOD AT 140 PM
EDT...TUNSTALL AT 145 PM EDT.

WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH AND SMALL HAIL ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

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.

25

Special weather statement, May 4, 12:43 PM EST, 9 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
143 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

MDZ022>025-VAZ099-041845-
ACCOMACK VA-INLAND WORCESTER MD-MARYLAND BEACHES MD-SOMERSET
MD-WICOMICO MD-
143 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM MOVING INTO SOMERSET COUNTY...

AT 143 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CRISFIELD...MOVING NORTHEAST
AT 40 MPH. THE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR BYRDTOWN AT 155 PM
EDT...HOPEWELL AT 200 PM EDT...MARION STATION AT 205 PM EDT...
REHOBETH AT 210 PM EDT...POCOMOKE CITY AT 215 PM EDT...COKESBURY AT
220 PM EDT.

WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH...SMALL HAIL...TORRENTIAL RAIN...AND FREQUENT
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE EXPECTED IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM.
IF YOU HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY
LIGHTNING. MOVE INTO A SAFE SHELTER BEFORE THIS STORM REACHES YOUR
AREA. REMAIN INDOORS UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED.

WRS

Special weather statement, May 4, 12:44 PM EST, 8 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
144 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

VAZ072-073-083-041815-
KING AND QUEEN VA-KING WILLIAM VA-NEW KENT VA-
144 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM MOVING INTO WESTERN NEW KENT AND EASTERN KING
WILLIAM COUNTIES...

AT 143 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER TALLEYSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. THE
STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR PALLS AT 155 PM
EDT...LANESVILLE...AND...COHOKE AT 200 PM EDT...ROSE GARDEN AT 205
PM EDT...KING AND QUEEN COURTHOUSE...AND...ROMANCOKE AT 210 PM EDT.

WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH 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.

25

Special weather statement, May 4, 12:45 PM EST, 7 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
145 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

NCZ015>017-102-041845-
CAMDEN NC-EASTERN CURRITUCK NC-PASQUOTANK NC-WESTERN CURRITUCK NC-
145 PM EDT MON MAY 4 2009

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM MOVING ACROSS NORTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA...

AT 144 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER CRYSTAL LAKES...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.
THE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR CRYSTAL LAKES...AND...JOHNSONS
CORNER AT 150 PM EDT...BURNT MILLS...AND...PIERCEVILLE AT 155 PM
EDT...MOYOCK AT 210 PM EDT...SNOWDEN...AND...SLIGO AT 215 PM EDT...
KNOTTS ISLAND AT 235 PM EDT.

WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH AND SMALL HAIL ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.

EXPECT OCCASIONAL CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND HEAVY RAINFALL WITH
THESE STORMS. PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS AND 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.

05

The radar

The Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 64 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:53 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 hail, 4 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Chesapeake (C)

When: May 4, 12:52 PM EST
Where: Chesapeake (C) County, 0.55 mi W of Deep Creek
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 36.730, -76.360

Penny size hail was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chesapeake (C)

When: May 4, 12:52 PM EST
Where: Chesapeake (C) County, 0.55 mi W of Deep Creek
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 36.730, -76.360

Trees were downed.

Hail, Portsmouth (C)

When: May 4, 12:55 PM EST
Where: Portsmouth (C) County, 2.16 mi NE of Portsmouth
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.840, -76.300

Quarter size hail was reported on Jewel Avenue and Victory Boulevard.

Hail, Portsmouth (C)

When: May 4, 12:55 PM EST
Where: Portsmouth (C) County, 3.39 mi WSW of Portsmouth
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.810, -76.390

Half dollar size hail was reported.

Hail, Chesapeake (C)

When: May 4, 12:57 PM EST
Where: Chesapeake (C) County, 2.76 mi N of Cornland
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.660, -76.320

Quarter size hail was reported.

Hail, Portsmouth (C)

When: May 4, 1:00 PM EST
Where: Portsmouth (C) County, 1.49 mi SSE of Portsmouth
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.800, -76.320

Nickel size hail was reported in the Cradock area of Portsmouth.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norfolk (C)

When: May 4, 1:00 PM EST
Where: Norfolk (C) County, 2.07 mi N of Norfolk
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.900, -76.270

Wind gust of 53 knots (61 mph) was measured.

Hail, Norfolk (C)

When: May 4, 1:01 PM EST
Where: Norfolk (C) County, 1.49 mi SSW of Norfolk
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 36.850, -76.280

Nickel size hail was reported.

Hail, Chesapeake (C)

When: May 4, 1:02 PM EST
Where: Chesapeake (C) County, 1.31 mi ENE of Long Ridge
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.640, -76.150

Nickel size hail was reported in the Hickory section of Chesapeake.

Hail, Norfolk (C)

When: May 4, 1:03 PM EST
Where: Norfolk (C) County, 1.49 mi SSW of Norfolk
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.850, -76.280

Nickel size hail was reported near Hampton Boulevard and West 42nd Street.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norfolk (C)

When: May 4, 1:05 PM EST
Where: Norfolk (C) County, 0.88 mi NW of Norfolk
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.880, -76.280

Microburst from a severe thunderstorm downed numerous trees and power lines in the Oceanview section of Norfolk. One tree fell on a home causing substantial damage and injuring the homeowner. Significant power outage to this portion of Norfolk due to downed power lines and power poles. In addition, Ocean Air Elementary School sustained minor roof damage. The closest measured wind was at Norfolk Naval Air Station where a 55 mph wind gust was reported at 205 pm edt. This was to the west of the core of the severe thunderstorm.

Hail, Norfolk (C)

When: May 4, 1:08 PM EST
Where: Norfolk (C) County, 2.15 mi SSW of Norfolk
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.840, -76.280

Quarter size hail was reported around Harbor Park area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norfolk (C)

When: May 4, 1:16 PM EST
Where: Norfolk (C) County, 1.49 mi SSW of Norfolk
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.850, -76.280

Several tree limbs were downed in the Montecello Village on East Little Creek Road.

Hail, Northampton

When: May 4, 1:26 PM EST
Where: Northampton County, 2.07 mi S of Kiptopeke
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.100, -75.970

Nickel size hail was reported near Fishermans Island on the northern section of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

Tornado, Chesapeake (C)

When: May 4, 6:43 PM EST to 6:50 PM EST
Where: Chesapeake (C) County, 2.08 mi SW of Camden Mills to 0.89 mi SW of Great Bridge
Rating: EF0
Path length: 3.15 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.697, -76.295

EF0 tornado touched down in the Great Bridge section south of Cedar Road between Shillelagh Road and Battlefield Boulevard. Several trees were downed and numerous branches were torn off other trees. Also, a few shingles were ripped off some homes.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Virginia in 2009 Every state in 2009 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Virginia, 2009 Warnings in Virginia, May 2009

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: 173329, 173355, 173324, 173337, 173330, 173320, 173352, 173332, 173325, 173335, 173343, 173328, 173340, 173317, 173347.