A cold front moved across the Appalachian Mountains early on the morning of December 1 into an unseasonably warm and moisture atmosphere in the Mid-Atlantic. Widespread rain and thunderstorms developed, some of which produced heavy rain and flash flooding across the area.
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.
A cold front moved across the Appalachian Mountains early on the morning of December 1 into an unseasonably warm and moisture atmosphere in the Mid-Atlantic. Widespread rain and thunderstorms developed, some of which produced heavy rain and flash flooding across the area. Rainfall amounts ranged from 1 to over 2 inches across most locations, with the highest report received in Rappahannock County of 3.05 inches.
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 Dec 1, 2:24 AM EST, 1 hour 6 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
224 AM EST WED DEC 1 2010
.SYNOPSIS...
A WARM...MOIST AIRMASS WILL MOVE NORTHWARD INTO THE MID-ATLANTIC
REGION THROUGH TONIGHT. A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THE AREA LATE
TONIGHT AND EARLY WEDNESDAY. HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD LATE IN THE
WEEK...USHERING IN A PERIOD OF SLIGHTLY BELOW-NORMAL TEMPERATURES.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TODAY/...
MAIN BAND OF CNVCTN APPROACHING SW CNTYS. FIRST FFW ALREADY OUT
FOR PORTIONS OF POTOMAC HIGHLANDS...AND TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 761
HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR CNTRL VA FOOTHILLS AND VA PIEDMONT EFFECTIVE
UNTIL 14Z. FCST RMNS ON TRACK...WITH HVY RASH WITH EMBEDDED TSTMS
MOVG ACRS THE RGN BTWN NOW AND SUNRISE. PREV DISCUSSION FOLLOWS..
A STRONG COLD FRONT IN WRN W.V. WL MOVE THROUGH THE WESTERN
PORTION OF THE CWA OVERNIGHT AND THE EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE CWA
WEDNESDAY MORNING. AN INCREASING PRESSURE GRADIENT AHEAD OF THE
FRONT WILL BRING GUSTY WINDS TO THE AREA THRU WED MORNING. A WIND
ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 KNOTS ACROSS THE
AREA. THE BEST CHANCE FOR GUSTY WINDS THIS EVENING WILL BE ALONG
THE RIDGE TOPS OF THE POTOMAC HIGHLANDS INTO THE BLUE RIDGE
MOUNTAINS. GUSTY WINDS WILL MAKE IT DOWN TO THE SURFACE OVERNIGHT
INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING.
RAIN WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE THIS EVENING AS THE LOW-LEVEL JET
CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN. THE HEAVIEST PRECIPITATION WILL LIKELY BE
LATE TONIGHT FOR LOCATIONS WEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE AND EARLY
WEDNESDAY FOR LOCATIONS EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE. PRECIPITABLE WATER
OVER TWO STANDARD DEVIATIONS ABOVE NORMAL ALONG WITH THE STRONG
FORCING CAUSES A CONCERN FOR FLASH FLOODING IN HEAVIER SHOWERS OR
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR
TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY.
STRONG FORCING ALONG WITH A VERY STRONG LOW-LEVEL JET POSES A THREAT
FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP LATE TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY
MORNING. LOW-LEVEL HELICITY VALUES AND DEEP LAYER SHEAR PROFILES
INDICATE THAT THUNDERSTORMS MAY CONTAIN DAMAGING WINDS ALONG WITH
ISOLATED TORNADOES. THE MAIN QUESTION REMAINS WHETHER OR NOT STORMS
WILL BECOME ROOTED WITHIN THE BOUNDARY LAYER. THE BEST CHANCE FOR
THAT TO HAPPEN WILL BE ACROSS THE SOUTHERN AND EASTERN CWA WHERE
SURFACE TEMPS WILL BE A BIT WARMER.
CONDITIONS WILL IMPROVE LATER WEDNESDAY BEHIND THE FRONT...BUT IT
WILL TURN OUT MUCH CHILLIER. TEMPERATURES WILL FALL INTO THE 30S
LATER WED MORNING AND AFTERNOON BEHIND THE FRONT. EVEN COLDER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED IN THE MOUNTAINS. SHOWERS WILL TAPER OFF
DURING THE MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS. UPSLOPE SNOW SHOWERS
MAY AFFECT LOCATIONS ALONG AND WEST OF THE ALLEGHENY FRONT THROUGH
THE AFTERNOON.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH 6 PM THURSDAY/...
LINGERING RAIN ALONG THE CHESAPEAKE BAY REGION WILL END BY SUNSET
WEDNESDAY...LEAVING DRY CONDITIONS FOR THE REST OF THE WORK WEEK IN
MOST AREAS. THE EXCEPTION WILL BE WEST OF THE ALLEGHENY FRONT...
WHERE SCTD SHSN COULD PERSIST IN NWLY FLOW THROUGH THURSDAY. IF
CLOUDS DO INDEED BREAK AS MODELS PREDICT WEDNESDAY NIGHT...SOME OF
THE COLD SPOTS WEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE COULD DROP INTO THE TEENS.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
NWLY FLOW WILL PREVAIL THRU END OF THE WORK WEEK AS HIGH PRESSURE
SLOWLY BUILDS INTO THE REGION. CANNOT TOTALLY RULE OUT AN UPSLOPE
SHSN FRIDAY BUT WILL LEAVE DRY FOR NOW. BY SATURDAY...THE HIGH
RAPIDLY WEAKENS AND SWIFT UPPER FLOW STARTS MAKING THE FORECAST
TRICKY. THE RANGE OF POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS IS STILL ALL OVER THE
MAP...BUT ENSEMBLES LEND JUST ENOUGH SUPPORT TO THE PRECIP
POTENTIAL TO BRING SMALL CHANCES OF SNOW SHOWERS AS FAR EAST AS
THE BLUE RIDGE SATURDAY NIGHT...AND RETREATING TO THE ALLEGHENY
RANGE ON SUNDAY. WORTH WATCHING AS WE GET CLOSER...BUT STILL A
LONG WAY OUT AT THIS POINT.
WEAK SHORTWAVES WILL CONTINUE TO ROTATE AROUND THE NEW ENGLAND UPPER
LOW BEYOND SUNDAY...BUT AN INCREASE IN CLOUD COVER IS LIKELY TO BE
THE PRIMARY EFFECT...AND THE TIMING IS HIGHLY UNCERTAIN THIS FAR OUT
REGARDLESS. SO WILL JUST INDICATE PERIODS OF CLOUDS...WITH BELOW
NORMAL TEMPS...UNTIL MORE CLARITY SHOWS UP.
&&
.AVIATION /08Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
CONDS LIKELY DROP INTO IFR WHEN HEAVIER RAIN MOVES THROUGH LATER
TONIGHT/WEDNESDAY MORNING. BOTH IN AND OUT OF RAIN...EXPECT GUSTY
SOUTHEAST WINDS LATER TONIGHT/EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. THERE IS
ALSO THE CHANCE OF A THUNDERSTORM. WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE NORTH
AND WEST BEHIND A FRONT MID TO LATE WEDNESDAY MORNING...WHICH
LIKELY ALSO PROMOTE IMPROVED CIGS FOR THE AFTERNOON.
VFR CONDS EXPECTED FROM WED NIGHT THRU THE WEEKEND...DESPITE PERIODS
OF CLOUD COVER. WINDS SHOULD BE GENERALLY LIGHT AND PREVAILING FROM
THE NORTHWEST THROUGH THAT PERIOD.
&&
.MARINE...
WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE TONIGHT WITH GUSTS AROUND 35 TO 40
KNOTS EXPECTED. A GALE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF THE WATERS
TONIGHT. WINDS ACROSS THE UPPER TIDAL POTOMAC MAY HOLD AT SCA LEVELS
FOR A WHILE THIS EVENING. HEAVIER SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS
ARE EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING. SOME THUNDERSTORMS
WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS. A GALE WARNING
CONTINUES THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING. A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WILL
LIKELY BE WARRANTED FOR THE WATERS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH
AT LEAST PARTS OF THURSDAY...MAYBE EVEN THROUGH FRIDAY. NEAR-GALE
FORCE GUSTS ARE POSSIBLE AT TIMES. WINDS WILL LIGHTEN A BIT BY THE
WEEKEND.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
THE CSTL FLD THREAT - SOME THINGS ARE WORKING AGAINST THIS BEING A
MAJOR EVENT - 1) TIDES AREN'T PARTICULARLY HIGH ATTM 2) THE MOON
IS BLO 1/4 3) THE OVRNGT HIGH TIDE CYCLE WL BE THE LOWER OF THE 2
4) BY THE TIME THE HIGHER CYCLE OCCURS WED AFTN THE WINDS WL HV
BEEN OUT OF THE WNW FOR AT LEAST 4 HRS. SO THIS LOOKS LK THERE IS
PTNL FOR THIS TO BE A 1 TIDAL CYCLE EVENT. DROPPED THE CSTL FLD
WTCH AND ISSUED AN ADVSRY FOR THE WRN SHORE OF THE CHES BAY AND
THE DC/ALEX AREA.
&&
.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR DCZ001.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL 3 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
DCZ001.
WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 11 AM EST THIS MORNING FOR DCZ001.
MD...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 9 AM EST THIS MORNING FOR MDZ003-501-
502.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR MDZ004>007-
009>011-013-014.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL 3 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
MDZ007-011-013-014-017-018.
WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 11 AM EST THIS MORNING FOR MDZ004>007-
009>011-013-014-016>018.
WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM EST EARLY THIS MORNING FOR MDZ003.
VA...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 9 AM EST THIS MORNING FOR VAZ025>031-
503-504.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR VAZ036>040-
042-050>054-501-502.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL 3 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
VAZ053-054.
WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 11 AM EST THIS MORNING FOR VAZ042-050>057-
501-502.
WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM EST EARLY THIS MORNING FOR VAZ025>031-
036>040.
WV...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 9 AM EST THIS MORNING FOR WVZ050>053-
055-501>506.
WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM EST EARLY THIS MORNING FOR WVZ050>053-
055.
MARINE...GALE WARNING UNTIL 11 AM EST THIS MORNING FOR ANZ530>543.
&&
UPDATE...SBK
PRVS...ABW/BJL/JE/BPPHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...CORRECTED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 240 AM EST WED DEC 1 2010 ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ006-007-011-013-014-016>018-VAZ052>057- 011200- 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- PATAPSCO RIVER INCLUDING BALTIMORE HARBOR- CHESTER RIVER TO QUEENSTOWN MD-EASTERN BAY- CHOPTANK RIVER TO CAMBRIDGE MD AND THE LITTLE CHOPTANK RIVER- PATUXENT RIVER TO BROOMES ISLAND MD- TANGIER SOUND AND THE INLAND WATERS SURROUNDING BLOODSWORTH ISLAND-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- 240 AM EST WED DEC 1 2010 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...TONIGHT THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS MUCH OF THE OUTLOOK AREA. SOME STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES LATE TONIGHT. A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR KING GEORGE...STAFFORD...AND SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG IN VIRGINIA...AND FOR THE TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER FROM INDIAN HEAD TO COBB ISLAND. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT TONIGHT FOR PORTIONS OF THE OUTLOOK AREA. PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST HAZARD MESSAGE /FFALWX/ FOR DETAILS. A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT ALONG THE WESTERN SHORE OF THE MARYLAND CHESAPEAKE BAY AND FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND ARLINGTON COUNTY. PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST HAZARD MESSAGE /CFWLWX/ FOR DETAILS. A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT. PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST HAZARD MESSAGE /NPWLWX/ FOR DETAILS. A GALE WARNING IS IN EFFECT TONIGHT FOR THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 AM EDT WEDNESDAY. A WIND ADVISORY CONTINUES THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES UNTIL 1 PM FOR PORTIONS OF THE OUTLOOK AREA. A GALE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE WATERS UNTIL 11 AM WEDNESDAY. A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY LIKELY WILL BE NEEDED FOR PORTIONS OF THE WATERS LATER WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY CONTINUES THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL BE NEEDED LATE TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING. MDZ003>005-009-010-501-502-VAZ025>031-036>040-042-050-051-501>504- WVZ050>053-055-501>506-011200- WASHINGTON-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-HOWARD- EXTREME WESTERN ALLEGANY-CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY-AUGUSTA- ROCKINGHAM-SHENANDOAH-FREDERICK VA-PAGE-WARREN-CLARKE-NELSON- ALBEMARLE-GREENE-MADISON-RAPPAHANNOCK-LOUDOUN-ORANGE-CULPEPER- NORTHERN FAUQUIER-SOUTHERN FAUQUIER-WESTERN HIGHLAND- EASTERN HIGHLAND-HAMPSHIRE-MORGAN-BERKELEY-JEFFERSON-HARDY- WESTERN GRANT-EASTERN GRANT-WESTERN MINERAL-EASTERN MINERAL- WESTERN PENDLETON-EASTERN PENDLETON- 240 AM EST WED DEC 1 2010 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...TONIGHT THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR PORTIONS OF THE OUTLOOK AREA. SOME STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES LATE TONIGHT. A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR NELSON...ALBEMARLE AND ORANGE COUNTIES IN VIRGINIA. A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT TONIGHT. PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST HAZARD MESSAGE /NPWLWX/ FOR DETAILS. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT TONIGHT FOR THE OUTLOOK AREA. PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST HAZARD MESSAGE /FFALWX/ FOR DETAILS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM. A WIND ADVISORY CONTINUES WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR COUNTIES EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MID-DAY WEDNESDAY FOR THE OUTLOOK AREA. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL BE NEEDED LATE TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING. KRAMAR
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
309 AM EST WED DEC 01 2010
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0134 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SSE MOUNT TORRY FURNA 37.92N 78.95W
12/01/2010 M62 MPH NELSON VA MESONET
WNTRE
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1001092
KRAMARPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
311 AM EST WED DEC 01 2010
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1200 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SSE MOUNT TORRY FURNA 37.92N 78.95W
12/01/2010 M59 MPH NELSON VA MESONET
WNTRE
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1001093
KRAMARThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 140 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:29 UTC.
14 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Water from a creek was flowing over Railroad Avenue.
Water from Hamilton Branch was flowing over Deerfield Valley Road.
The intersection of Ivy Road and Old Ivy Road was closed due to high water. A spotter nearby observed 2.30 inches of rain before the event.
A mudslide forced the closure of Route 6. A rainfall report from nearby was received of 1.82 inches.
Routes 657 and 618 were closed due to flash flooding along Crooked Run at the Madison/Culpeper County line. A nearby rain gauge measured 1.41 inches.
Route 607 was closed due to flash flooding on the Robinson River.
Route 600 was closed at Route 643 due to flash flooding on the Robinson River.
Route 644 was closed due to flash flooding on Popham Run.
Route 603 was closed at Route 602 due to flash flooding on the Hughes River.
Route 628 was closed at Route 640 due to flash flooding along the Thornton River. A rain gauge in the area measured 1.41 inches.
Route 628 at Route 630 closed due to flash flooding along Hittles Mill Stream.
Route 631 at Route 649 was closed due to flash flooding along Gooney Run.
Route 603 was closed at Route 643 due to flash flooding along Manassas Run.
Route 609 was closed at Route 637 due to flash flooding along Molly Camel Run.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2010Every state in 2010This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, December 2010
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: 267922, 267923, 267924, 267925, 267926, 267928, 267929, 267930, 267931, 267927, 267932, 267933, 267934, 267935.