A warm front passed through central and northern Virginia during the afternoon and evening hours of the 13th. A potent upper-level trough approached the area during the same time causing strong winds aloft.
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 warm front passed through central and northern Virginia during the afternoon and evening hours of the 13th. A potent upper-level trough approached the area during the same time causing strong winds aloft. Thunderstorms that developed behind the front were able to produce damaging wind gusts due to the strong winds aloft. Winds rapidly changed in both direction and speed with height causing some of the stronger thunderstorms to produce tornadoes near the warm front.
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 Oct 13, 2:22 PM EST, 43 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
322 PM EDT THU OCT 13 2011
.SYNOPSIS...
HIGH PRESSURE RETURNS FOR THE WEEKEND INTO THE FIRST PART OF THE
WEEK. A COLD FRONT WILL PUSH INTO THE AREA TUESDAY NIGHT. UPPER
LEVEL LOW PRESSURE WILL INFLUENCE THE WEATHER IN THE MID ATLANTIC
WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
CDFNT/H5 TROF AXIS IN THE MISSISSIPPI VLY ATTM. THERE/S ALSO A
STALLED BNDRY CUTTING ACRS THE SRN CWFA. ELY LLVL FLOW BEING OVERRUN
BY WARMER SLY FLOW ALOFT...LEADING TO LOTSA LGT RA AND DZ ACRS THE
CWFA. IN ADDITION...S/WV ENERGY /PVA/ UNDERCUTTING THE BASE OF THE
TROF GENERATING ADDITIONAL SHRA ACTIVITY ACRS WVA AND SSIDE VA.
THERE/S ENUF COINCIDENT UPR LVL DIVGNC AND BINOVC TO PERMIT
INSTBY...AND CONSEQUENTLY TSTMS HV DVLPD IN THAT AREA. MESO ANALYSIS
SUGGESTS THAT CWFA ON THE STBL SIDE /XCPT FOR SRN MD/...SO TSRA SHUD
BE STRATIFYING AS THEY OVERRIDE BNDRY. BUT...ELEVATED THUNDER A
RISK...AND HV KEPT EITHER A SCHC/CHC IN THE GRIDS THRU THE EVNG.
PVA CONTG OVNGT...SO CANT RULE OUT ADDTL SHRA. INSTBY NOT LKLY TO BE
AS GREAT THO. SINCE IT/LL BE CLDY AND WET...TEMPS SHUDNT BE DROPPING
MUCH. USED LAMP AS BASIS FOR MIN-T FCST.
&&
.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY/...
H5 TROF ATTAINS NEG TILT TMRW...DRIVING CDFNT THRU CWFA AS ADDTL
S/WV IMPULSES/MID LVL SPD MAX ROTATE UNDER THE UPR LOW. NMRS SHRA
XPCTD INVOF FNT...FLLWD BY GUSTY DRYING WNDS. ALTHO INSTBY SHUDNT BE
AS GREAT...SHEAR PROFILES ENUF FOR LCL THUNDER INVOF FNT.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
THE LAST VESTIGES OF RAFL ARE XPCTD TO DEPART NERN MD FRI EVE.
ON SAT...THE COMBO OF A 970 MB LOW OVR ERN ONTARIO AND A 1020
HIGH IN THE OH VLLY WL CREATE A TIGHT PRESSURE GRADIENT BETWEEN
THESE TWO FEATURES WILL RESULT IN BREEZY CONDITIONS. DURING THE
DAY SAT WLY WINDS 15-25 MPH MAY GUST UP TO 35 MPH...PSBLY GUSTING
OVR 40 MPH ON THE RIDGE TOPS OF THE POTOMAC HIGHLANDS - JUST
BLO WIND ADVISORY CRITERIA.
PRES GRAD WILL WEAKEN SAT NGT AND SUN AS HIPRES SETTLES OVER THE
AREA. SUNDAY LOOKS LK A GOOD DAY - ESPECIALLY GOOD TO SEE SINCE
SUN MRNG WL BE THE DEDICATION OF THE MLK MEMORIAL. UNLIKE ON THE
INITIAL 8/28 ATTEMPT WX SHOULD NOT PLAY A FACTOR THIS TIME.
HIPRES MOVES OFF THE SE COAST ERY NEXT WEEK. RETURN FLOW AROUND THE
HIGH WILL DRAW WARM MOIST AIR INTO THE REGION MON AND TUE. I'VE
TAKEN THE TEMPS UP 6-8 DEGS FM PRVS FCST FOR MON AND TUE TO THE
L70S...BUT STILL RMNG BLO MEX GDNC. IF CURRENT GFS COMES TRUE TUE
SHOULD XPRNC GOOD WAA AND U70S COULD BE REACHED.
THE NEXT CD FNT WOULD THEN MOVE INTO THE AREA LATE TUE...BRINGING
THE WARMING TO A SCREACHING HALT. DEEP TROF XPCTD TO FORM OVR THE ERN
U.S. WHICH COULD BRING RASH TO THE ENTIRE AREA WED AND SOME SNSH
TO THE HIGHLANDS WED NGT/THU...BUT THAT'S A LONG TIME AWAY YET.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
HV BEEN SUFFERING W/ AOB IFR CONDS TDA. AS OF 19Z...DCA AREA MTRS
JUMPED UP TO VFR. FCSTG CONDS THRU THE EVNG PUSH WL BE CHALLENGING.
CONDS SHUD DETERIORATE AGN AFDK DUE TO LLVL SATURATION. HV LIFR FCST
OVNGT...BASED LARGELY ON LAMP GDNC.
FLOW WL VEER SLY TMRW...PERMITTING IMPVMNT TO MVFR AFTER DAYBREAK
TMRW. THEN CDFNT WL PUSH THRU TERMINALS...SUPPORTING SCT-NMRS SHRA
AND PERHAPS A FEW TSRA. FVRBL MIXING BHD FNT SHUD SUPPORT 20-25 KT
GUSTS IN W/NW FLOW.
ON SAT...STRONG PRESSURE GRADIENT WILL LEAD TO GUSTY WLY WINDS.
SUSTAINED WINDS 15-20 KT MAY GUST TO 30 KT. WINDS WILL RELAX SAT
EVE INTO SUN AS HIPRES SETTLES OVER THE AREA.
VFR CONDITIONS EXPECTED OTHERWISE. COLD FRONT IS PROGGED TO MOVE
THROUGH THE AREA TUESDAY NIGHT.
&&
.MARINE...
ELY FLOW AOB 15 KT TAFTN...VEERING SLY TNGT. SCT-NMRS SHRA XPCTD...
W/ A FEW EVE TSRA PSBL...SPCLY MID BAY-LWR PTMC.
CFP XPCTD TMRW AFTN...WHICH WL SHIFT WNDS TO THE W/NW. A GOOD SURGE
OF DRY AIR WL COME IN BHD...PERMITTING FVRBL MIXING. SCA RAISED FOR
THE AFTN HRS AS 20 KT AVBL W/IN GUSTS.
WATERS WL BE UNDER CYCLONIC FLOW FRI NGT - GUSTS OF U TEENS/L20S
PSBL SO SML CRFT HAS BEEN ISSUED. SOLID SCA CONDITIONS EXPECTED
SAT...WITH GUSTS TO 30 KT POSSIBLE. WINDS SHOULD DROP BELOW SCA
LVLS LATE SAT NGT INTO SUN AS HIPRES BUILDS IN FROM THE SOUTHEAST.
ON TUE WARM AIR ADVCTN SRLY WINDS COULD CREATE SCA CONDS.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
WATER LEVELS ARE CURRENTLY RUNNING 1.5-2 FT ABOVE NORMAL VALUES THIS
AFTERNOON. WITH THE PROLONGED EASTERLY FLOW AND FULL MOON...WATER
LEVELS HV REMAINED ELEVATED. THIS PM TIDE CYCLE WL BE THE HIEST OF
THE BUNCH. BASED ON THESE TRENDS AND RECENT REPORTS...HV MADE ADDTL
ADJUSTMENTS TO HEADLINES - WRNGS FOR ALEX/FFX...BALT...AND ANNE
ARUNDEL. ADVY EVERYWHERE ELSE.
MINOR COASTAL FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE UNTIL WINDS SHIFT
TO THE W/NW BEHIND THE COLD FRONT LATER ON FRIDAY. FLD THREAT
SHOULD BE OVR BY SAT MRNG.
&&
.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL 2 AM EDT FRIDAY FOR DCZ001.
MD...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL 2 AM EDT FRIDAY FOR MDZ007-013-
016>018.
COASTAL FLOOD WARNING UNTIL 2 AM EDT FRIDAY FOR MDZ011-014.
VA...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL 2 AM EDT FRIDAY FOR VAZ052-055-
057.
COASTAL FLOOD WARNING UNTIL 2 AM EDT FRIDAY FOR VAZ053-054.
WV...NONE.
MARINE...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 7 AM EDT SATURDAY FOR
ANZ530>543.
&&
PRODUCTS...HTS/WOODY!HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 1245 PM EDT THU OCT 13 2011 ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ006-007-011-013-014-016>018-VAZ052>057- 141245- 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- 1245 PM EDT THU OCT 13 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...TODAY AND TONIGHT A COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY MORNING ALONG THE TIDAL POTOMAC IN ALEXANDRIA AND FAIRFAX COUNTIES...AND ALONG THE WESTERN SHORE OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY IN ANNE ARUNDEL AND BALTIMORE COUNTIES. A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY MORNING FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WESTERN SHORE AND TIDAL POTOMAC. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY MINOR COASTAL FLOODING IS POSSIBLE ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE UPPER TIDAL POTOMAC AND NORTHERN MARYLAND CHESAPEAKE BAY LATER FRIDAY MORNING WITH THE NEXT HIGH TIDE. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. MDZ003>005-009-010-501-502-VAZ025>031-036>040-042-050-051-501>504- WVZ050>053-055-501>506-141245- 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- 1245 PM EDT THU OCT 13 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...TODAY AND TONIGHT NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. JE
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
1135 AM EDT THU OCT 13 2011
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0300 AM COASTAL FLOOD SOLOMONS 38.32N 76.46W
10/13/2011 CALVERT MD TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1101959
MEADOWSSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 359 PM EDT THU OCT 13 2011 VAZ056-132010- SPOTSYLVANIA VA- 359 PM EDT THU OCT 13 2011 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORM TO AFFECT SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY... AT 359 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 4 MILES SOUTH OF THORNBURG...MOVING NORTH AT 25 MPH. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE MASSAPONAX. STORM INTENSITY IS INCREASING...AND SEVERE WEATHER MAY DEVELOP RAPIDLY. REMAIN ALERT...AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION IF WARNINGS ARE ISSUED. && LAT...LON 3827 7758 3824 7737 3802 7762 3802 7764 TIME...MOT...LOC 1959Z 187DEG 23KT 3810 7754 SMZ
The Sterling radar (KLWX), 91 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:04 UTC.
6 tornado, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A discontinuous path of tree damage was seen from a creek near Clifton Road to Clarks Mountain Road.
A resident reported damage to trees and a boat on his property along Rogues Road. Spotty tree damage was found along Ebenezer Church Road mainly in the form of snapped large limbs.
Damage also occurred to a farm located off Midland Road near Old Windwright Lane. A metal roof covering on the rear of the farmhouse was peeled off and was later found in a field about 200 yards northwest of the house.
A porch was blown off a residence at the end of Longstalk Lane. Numerous hardwood and softwood trees were snapped or uprooted near the residence. Tree limbs were damaged near Eustace Road and south of Catlett road.
About a dozen trees were sporadically uprooted and snapped. Homes in the community off Merryview Drive had minor roofing and siding damage. A chained link fence was also downed and a billboard was pushed nearly over.
Trees were sporadically uprooted and snapped.
Trees were sporadically uprooted and snapped from the Stafford-Prince William County line to Triangle. Videos were taken as the tornado passed over traffic on Interstate 95.
Trees were sporadically uprooted and snapped for about a three mile path starting near Clifton to just west of the Fairfax City.
At least four large trees were down and partially blocking the roadway between Hunter Mill Road and just north of the intersection of Hunter Mill Road and Vale Road.
Trees were damaged along Wickens Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2011Every state in 2011This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Virginia, 2011Warnings in Virginia, October 2011
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: 350460, 350461, 350458, 350459, 350462, 350463, 350456, 350457.