Maryland, 2011Tornadoes in Maryland, May 17, 2011
May 17, 2011 · NWS LWX · 2 events in 2 counties and zones
Low pressure both at the surface and aloft developed remained over the Mid-Atlantic during on the 17th. A southeast flow around this system ushered in plenty of moisture off the Atlantic Ocean.
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
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $320,000
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 2
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.
Low pressure both at the surface and aloft developed remained over the Mid-Atlantic during on the 17th. A southeast flow around this system ushered in plenty of moisture off the Atlantic Ocean. The moisture caused moderate amounts of instability to develop. An upper-level disturbance combined with the moderate instability to trigger showers and thunderstorms. Winds changing in speed and direction with height caused an isolated thunderstorm to produce a tornado across north-central Maryland.
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 Baltimore/Washington wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 17, 2:43 PM EST, 1 hour 52 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 17, 2:43 PM EST, 1 hour 52 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
343 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
.SYNOPSIS...
AN UPPER-LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL REMAIN NEARLY STATIONARY ACROSS
THE MID-ATLANTIC THROUGH MUCH OF THIS WEEK BEFORE LIFTING OUT
SLOWLY DURING THE WEEKEND. UNSETTLED CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
DURING THIS TIME. A DRYING AND WARMING TREND IS EXPECTED LATE IN
THE WEEK.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
PORTIONS OF THE MID ATLC ARE CONTINUING TO DESTABILIZE THIS
AFTN...ALLOWING SCATTERED TSTMS TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN /MAINLY
ACROSS THE NRN VA PIEDMONT/. STILL ONLY A LIMITED AMOUNT OF
INSTABILITY ACROSS THE AREA. LIMITED SVR POTENTIAL WITH THE MAIN
THREAT CONTINUING TO BE HEAVY AND POSSIBLY FLOODING RAIN. LOW
PROBABILITIES FOR LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS AND POSSIBLY A BRIEF
TORNADO.
LOCAL WRF/HRRR GUIDANCE SHOWS THIS SCATTERED TSTM DEVELOPMENT WILL
CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL HRS. MOST OF THIS ACTIVITY WILL
MOVE NORTHWARD FROM THE I-85/I-95 CORRIDOR OF SRN VA...PASSING
INTO CNTRL VA AND INTO THE LOWER TIER COUNTIES OF THE CWA. A
GRADUAL DECREASE IN THE OVERALL INTENSITY SHOULD OCCUR A COUPLE
OF HRS AFTER SUNSET...WITH CONTINUED LIGHT/MODERATE SHOWERS
MOVING IN LATE TONIGHT AND OVERNIGHT.
KEEPING HIGH POPS IN OVERNIGHT SINCE THERE WILL BE PERIODS OF AT
LEAST LIGHT TO SCATTERED SHOWERS ACROSS THE CWA. NOT EXPECTING
CONTINUOUS RAINFALL ACROSS THE AREA OVERNIGHT...BUT PERIODIC
SHOWER ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED WITH THE UPPER LOW BEING SO CLOSE.
TOMORROW WILL BE FAIRLY SIMILAR TO TODAY BUT THE UPPER LOW WILL BE
CLOSER. THE PROXIMITY OF THIS FEATURE GIVES OUR REGION A CONTINUED
CHANCE FOR BANDS OF TSTMS WITH HEAVY RAIN. WINDS ALOFT WILL BE
MORE SLY THAN SELY.
HIGHS/LOWS AND WINDS WILL BE ABOUT THE SAME FOR TOMORROW AS
WELL...THOUGH WINDS WILL BE A LIT LIGHTER THAN TODAY /SINCE THE
LOW-LEVEL JET WILL BE JUST OFF THE COAST AS OPPOSED TO OVER THE
WRN SHORE/BAY.
&&
.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
CLOSED UPR LOW WILL MAKE SLOW NWD MVMT ACRS WV WED NGT. VORTICITY
MAXIMUM THAT WILL APRCH FCST AREA WED AFTN WILL CROSS WED NGT.
ACTIVE WX XPCD WED AS THIS VORTICITY MAXIMUM CROSSES...BUT PCPN
WILL SUBSIDE WED NGT IN ITS WAKE.
UPR LOW WILL CROSS FCST AREA THU. ITS ASSOCIATED COLD POOL ALOFT
MAY LEAD TO INCRD INSTBY THU AFTN AMID CONTD MOIST LOW-LVL AMS...
WHICH WILL HELP TO INVIGORATE CNVCTN DURG PEAK HEATING. ANY PCPN
SHUD WANE BY THU MRNG.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
DP NWLY FLOW WILL ENSUE IN WAKE OF UPR LOW ON FRI. SUFFICIENT
HEATING IN WAKE OF THE SYSTEM MAY GENERATE LMTD INSTBY AND SCT
SHWRS BEFORE SUBSIDENCE LEADS TO DRYING OF THE COLUMN.
FCST AREA WILL BE LOCATED AHEAD OF UPR RDG FRI NGT-SAT NGT. NO
PCPN XPCD DURG THIS TIME. UPR RDG AXIS WILL MOVE ACRS FCST AREA
SUN AFTN AS LOW-LVL MSTR INCRS. CNVCTN MAY DVLP SUN AFTN IN WRN
ZONES AMID INCRG MID- AND UPR-LVL FLOW. TSTM CHCS INCR MON AS
AN APRCHG SHRTWV TROF JOINS THE MIX.
MAXIMA THRU THE WKEND WILL BE IN THE LOW-MID 80S. MINIMA WILL BE
IN THE UPR 50S-LWR 60S OWING TO HIGH BNDRY LYR MSTR CONTENT.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
THE STRONGEST TSTMS IN THE REGION ARE MOVING TOWARD THE NW. THIS
ACTIVITY MAY SKIRT THE IAD/DCA AREAS...BUT THE STRONGEST ACTIVITY
SHOULD PASS BY TO THE SW. STILL A CHANCE FOR PARTS OF THIS LINE OR
NEW TSTM DEVELOPMENT TO AFFECT BWI-MTN-CHO ALSO.
MUCH OF THIS TSTM ACTIVITY SHOULD SUBSIDE LATER TONIGHT...BUT
PLENTY OF MOISTURE WILL REMAIN SITUATED OVER THE AREA AND WILL KEEP
IN THE LOWER CIGS TONIGHT. TOWARD MID-MORNING WED...WE SHOULD SEE
A GRADUAL DISSIPATION OF THE LOWER CIGS. ABOUT THE SAME SITUATION
EXPECTED WITH CONVECTION TOMORROW.
DAILY CNVCTN MAY LEAD TO SUB-VFR CIGS WED NGT-THU NGT. VFR CONDS
AND NO SGFNT WX XPCD DURG THE WKEND.
&&
.MARINE...
SOLID SCA GUSTS EXPECTED THROUGH THE NEXT SEVERAL HRS...GRADUALLY
DISSIPATING LATER TONIGHT AND INTO THE OVERNIGHT HRS. BY SUNRISE WED
WINDS SHOULD BE BELOW 10KT W/ ONLY BRIEF NEAR-SCA GUSTS FROM
SHOWER/TSTM ACTIVITY. NO HAZARDS ANTICIPATED THRU THE RMNDR OF
THE PD.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
SELY LOW-LVL FLOW WILL MAINTAIN POSITIVE ANOMALIES THRU WED NGT
ON MD CHSPK BAY AND TIDAL POTOMAC RVR. INCRG FLOW MAY LEAD TO MDT
FLOODING LATE TNGT THRU WED AFTN ALONG WRN SHORE OF MD CHSPK BAY
AND NEAR ALEXANDRIA. COASTAL FLOODING XPCD TO CONT THRU AT LEAST
WED NGT.
&&
.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY FOR DCZ001.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM EDT THURSDAY FOR DCZ001.
MD...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY FOR MDZ003>007-
009>011-013-014-016>018-501-502.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM EDT THURSDAY FOR MDZ013-016.
COASTAL FLOOD WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON EDT
WEDNESDAY FOR MDZ007-011-014-017-018.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT FOR MDZ007-
011-014-017-018.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FROM NOON WEDNESDAY TO 6 AM EDT
THURSDAY FOR MDZ007-011-014-017-018.
VA...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY FOR VAZ025>031-
036>040-042-050>057-501>504.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM EDT THURSDAY FOR VAZ052-053-
055-057.
COASTAL FLOOD WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON EDT
WEDNESDAY FOR VAZ054.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT FOR VAZ054.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FROM NOON WEDNESDAY TO 6 AM EDT
THURSDAY FOR VAZ054.
WV...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY FOR WVZ050>053-055-
501>506.
MARINE...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY FOR ANZ530>534-
537>543.
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR ANZ535-
536.
&&
GMS/KRAMARHazardous weather outlook, May 17, 2:50 PM EST, 1 hour 45 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
350 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ006-007-011-013-014-016>018-VAZ052>057-
181000-
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-
350 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
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...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT
THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING. SOME THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING
WIND GUSTS AND LARGE HAIL.
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM FOR THE OUTLOOK AREA.
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LOCALLY
HEAVY RAIN. REFER TO THE LATEST HAZARD MESSAGE /FFALWX/ FOR
DETAILS.
A COASTAL FLOOD WARNING AND COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY ARE IN EFFECT
ALONG THE TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER AND THE WESTERN SHORE OF THE
MARYLAND CHESAPEAKE BAY. REFER TO THE LATEST HAZARD MESSAGE
/CFWLWX/ FOR DETAILS.
A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY EVENING FOR THE
MARYLAND CHESAPEAKE BAY AND TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER. A SMALL CRAFT
ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT TONIGHT FOR THE MARYLAND CHESAPEAKE BAY AND
THE TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER FROM COBB ISLAND TO SMITH POINT.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY
A COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON WEDNESDAY FOR
PORTIONS OF THE OUTLOOK AREA...AND A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IS IN
EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT ALONG THE TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER AND
THE WESTERN SHORE OF THE MARYLAND CHESAPEAKE BAY. REFER TO THE
LATEST HAZARD MESSAGE /CFWLWX/ FOR DETAILS.
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WEDNESDAY WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
HEAVY RAIN THAT COULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. A FEW THUNDERSTORMS
MAY BECOME SEVERE...WITH LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS THE
PRIMARY THREATS.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING
AND AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY. PLEASE RELAY RAINFALL REPORTS TO THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
MDZ003>005-009-010-501-502-VAZ025>031-036>040-042-050-051-501>504-
WVZ050>053-055-501>506-181000-
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-
350 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
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...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT
THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING. THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING
WIND GUSTS AND LARGE HAIL.
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM FOR THE OUTLOOK AREA.
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LOCALLY
HEAVY RAIN. REFER TO THE LATEST HAZARD MESSAGE /FFALWX/ FOR
DETAILS.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WEDNESDAY WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
HEAVY RAIN THAT COULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. A FEW THUNDERSTORMS
MAY BECOME SEVERE...WITH LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS THE
PRIMARY THREATS.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND
AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY. PLEASE RELAY RAINFALL REPORTS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 17, 3:08 PM EST, 1 hour 27 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
408 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
VAZ028-030-031-042-501-WVZ052-053-172100-
NORTHERN FAUQUIER VA-WARREN VA-CLARKE VA-LOUDOUN VA-JEFFERSON WV-
BERKELEY WV-FREDERICK VA-
408 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM TO AFFECT NORTHERN FAUQUIER...WARREN...
CLARKE...LOUDOUN...JEFFERSON...BERKELEY AND FREDERICK COUNTIES...
AT 409 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
PARIS...MOVING NORTH AT 20 MPH.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE BLUEMONT...BERRYVILLE...GREENWOOD...RANSON
AND CHARLES TOWN.
THIS STORM IS PRODUCING FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. MOVE
INDOORS IMMEDIATELY FOR YOUR SAFETY. IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU
ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
HEAVY RAIN WITH THIS STORM MAY REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO BELOW ONE MILE
AND MAY CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.
WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH AND SMALL HAIL CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THIS
STORM.
&&
LAT...LON 3932 7823 3928 7767 3890 7785 3890 7798
TIME...MOT...LOC 2009Z 172DEG 18KT 3900 7794
SBK
Local storm report, May 17, 3:21 PM EST, 1 hour 14 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
421 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0335 PM HAIL 1 WNW SCHUYLER 37.80N 78.72W
05/17/2011 E1.00 INCH NELSON VA PUBLIC
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1100645
HASLocal storm report, May 17, 3:38 PM EST, 57 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
438 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0407 PM FLASH FLOOD 3 ENE FRONT ROYAL 38.94N 78.13W
05/17/2011 WARREN VA DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
MORGAN FORD ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLASH FLOOD ON MANASSAS
RUN.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1100646
SBKSpecial weather statement, May 17, 3:41 PM EST, 54 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
441 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
VAZ025-026-036-037-172130-
NELSON VA-ALBEMARLE VA-AUGUSTA VA-ROCKINGHAM VA-
441 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM TO AFFECT NELSON...ALBEMARLE...AUGUSTA AND
ROCKINGHAM COUNTIES...
AT 441 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 4 MILES
NORTH OF COVESVILLE...MOVING NORTHWEST AT 25 MPH.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE CROZET...AFTON...CRIMORA AND GROTTOES.
HEAVY RAIN WITH THIS STORM MAY REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO BELOW ONE MILE
AND MAY CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.
SMALL HAIL CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.
&&
LAT...LON 3819 7911 3834 7880 3791 7861 3786 7869
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 148DEG 23KT 3797 7873
SBK
Special weather statement, May 17, 4:18 PM EST, 17 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
518 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
MDZ003-WVZ052-172145-
WASHINGTON MD-BERKELEY WV-
518 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM TO AFFECT WASHINGTON AND BERKELEY COUNTIES...
AT 519 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
KEEDYSVILLE...MOVING NORTHWEST AT 35 MPH.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE WILLIAMSPORT...HAGERSTOWN AND
WILLIAMSPORT.
HEAVY RAIN WITH THIS STORM MAY REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO BELOW ONE MILE
AND MAY CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.
SMALL HAIL CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.
&&
LAT...LON 3973 7773 3948 7764 3944 7775 3948 7780
3950 7778 3949 7783 3963 7804 3967 7809
3969 7812 3972 7819 3973 7818
TIME...MOT...LOC 2119Z 147DEG 29KT 3950 7774
SBKSpecial weather statement, May 17, 4:26 PM EST, 9 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
526 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
MDZ003-502-WVZ051-052-172200-
WASHINGTON MD-BERKELEY WV-MORGAN WV-CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY MD-
526 PM EDT TUE MAY 17 2011
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM TO AFFECT WASHINGTON...BERKELEY...MORGAN AND
CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY COUNTIES...
AT 526 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 2 MILES
NORTH OF JONES SPRINGS...MOVING NORTH AT 25 MPH.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE NEW HOPE...VALLEY VIEW...SPOHRS
CROSSROADS...SPRUCE PINE HOLLOW AND SLEEPY CREEK.
THIS STORM IS PRODUCING FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. MOVE
INDOORS IMMEDIATELY FOR YOUR SAFETY. IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU
ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
HEAVY RAIN WITH THIS STORM MAY REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO BELOW ONE MILE
AND MAY CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.
SMALL HAIL CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.
&&
LAT...LON 3949 7807 3946 7817 3973 7837 3973 7836
3973 7801
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 164DEG 23KT 3955 7812
SBKTornado, Frederick
- When
- May 17, 4:35 PM EST to 4:39 PM EST
- Where
- Frederick County, 0.84 mi SW of Garfield to 1.14 mi W of Garfield
- Rating
- EF0
- Path length
- 1.1 mi
- Path width
- 50 yd
- Property damage
- $20,000
- Reported by
- NWS Storm Survey
- Coordinates
- 39.590, -77.539
Trees were snapped and uprooted along a track that began from south-southeast of the intersection of Forest School Road and Brandenburg Hollow Road to southwest of the intersection of Garfield Road and John Cline Road. Minor shingle damage was noted to two structures.
Siding was partially removed from a single-family home, where a backyard play center that had been bolted to the ground was snapped from its moorings and rolled.
Tornado, Washington
- When
- May 17, 7:10 PM EST to 7:18 PM EST
- Where
- Washington County, 0.17 mi ENE of Maugansville to 0.17 mi ENE of Cearfoss
- Rating
- EF1
- Path length
- 2.11 mi
- Path width
- 200 yd
- Property damage
- $300,000
- Reported by
- NWS Storm Survey
- Coordinates
- 39.681, -77.747
Numerous snapped and uprooted trees continued along a track from near the intersection of Wellspring Road and Jennifer Lane to near the intersection of Greencastle Pike and Cearfoss Pike. Several Sheds and Outbuildings were overturned or destroyed. A garage door was blown inward on a detached garage, leading to the failure of the roof structure.
Numerous hardwood and softwood trees were snapped by Garden View Road, Maugansville Road and Cearfoss Pike. A recreational vehicle was blown onto its side and moved forty-five feet into a neighboring yard. Shingle damage was very common. A stone 19th-century home suffured a roof uplift.
- 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.
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in Virginia, May 17 to 18, 201126 events
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in West Virginia, May 17 to 18, 20119 events
- Tornadoes and Hail in Colorado, May 17, 2011EF0 · 9 events
- Hail in Colorado, May 17, 20112.5 in hail · 7 events
- Hail in South Carolina, May 17, 20111.5 in hail · 5 events
- Drought in Texas, May 17 to 31, 20114 events
- Hail in Virginia, May 17, 20111 in hail · 4 events
- Flash Flooding in Maryland, May 17 to 18, 20114 events
- Flash Flooding and Heavy Rain in Puerto Rico, May 17, 20113 events
- Marine Thunderstorm Winds in North Atlantic Coastal Waters, May 17, 20112 events
- High Wind in Texas, May 17, 201163 kt wind · 2 events
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Utah, May 17 to 20, 20112 events
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: 314974, 314973.