Funnel Cloud, Hanover
- When
- July 27, 6:04 PM EST
- Where
- Hanover County, 0.88 mi NW of Atlee
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 37.660, -77.430
A trained spotter reported a brief funnel cloud near the Interstate 95 and Interstate 295 interchange.
Hail and Damaging Winds in Virginia, July 27, 2015
Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a decaying cold front during the afternoon and evening hours of July 27. One storm tracked across the northern Richmond area, producing strong wind gusts and large hail.
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
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $101,000
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 6
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 showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a decaying cold front during the afternoon and evening hours of July 27. One storm tracked across the northern Richmond area, producing strong wind gusts and large hail.
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 Jul 27, 2:54 PM EST, 3 hours 10 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 27, 2:54 PM EST, 3 hours 10 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 354 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015 .SYNOPSIS... HIGH PRESSURE REMAINS OFFSHORE THROUGH MIDWEEK...WITH THE NEXT COLD FRONT CROSSING THE AREA BY THURSDAY NIGHT. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM TUESDAY MORNING/... A RETREATING TROUGH ALOFT HAS PRODUCED SCT TSTMS ACROSS THE HIGHER TERRAIN TO THE NW OF OUR FA THIS AFTERNOON. WEAK STEERING FLOW ALOFT HAS KEPT THESE CELLS NEARLY STATIONARY SO FAR...BUT EXPECT THEM TO EVENTUALLY DRIFT SE INTO NORTHERN/NW PORTIONS OF OUR FA LATE THIS AFTN/EVE. THE AMOUNT OF DRY AIR IN PLACE IN THE LOWEST LEVELS OF THE ATMOSPHERE EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS WILL TEND TO LIMIT COVERAGE OF PCPN...SO HAVE CAPPED POPS AROUND 30-40% W/NW ZONES...LOWERING TO 20% ALONG THE COAST. NOT EXPECTING ANY SVR TSTMS THRU THIS EVENING DUE TO WEAK SHEAR. CHANCE OF PCPN DECREASES BY LATE EVENING INTO THE OVERNIGHT PERIOD WITH LOSS OF DAYTIME HEATING. MOST PLACES DRY OVERNIGHT BUT DID ALLOW ISOLD SHWR CHANCES. SKIES STILL PTLY TO MSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOW TEMPS IN THE UPR 60S TO LOW 70S. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY/... TUESDAY... UPPER LEVEL RIDGING EXPANDS A BIT FARTHER EAST INTO THE TN VALLEY ON TUESDAY...AS A WEAK FRONTAL BOUNDARY DISSOLVES OVER SOUTHERN MD. NW FLOW DOES CONTINUE AND SO EXPECT ANY AFTN CONVECTION TO BE INITIATED OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN TO THE NW OF THE FA AND DRIFTING EASTWARD DURING THE LATE AFTN/EVE. WILL CARRY 30-40% POPS WEST...LOWERING TO SLIGHT CHC (20%) POPS ALONG THE COAST. OVERALL...MAX TEMPS WILL BE SIMILAR OR SLIGHTLY WARMER THAN TODAY BECAUSE OF CLOUD COVER. HIGHS IN THE 80S TO AROUND 90. MAINLY DRY WED NIGHT AS PCPN WILL WANE AFTER SUNSET. LOWS IN THE 60S TO LOW 70S. WEDNESDAY... UPPER LEVEL RIDGING WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND EASTWARD FROM THE SOUTHERN PLAINS. THIS WILL HELP TO LIMIT ANY AFTN CONVECTION WHILE MAX TEMPS WARM A COUPLE OF DEGREES. HAVE SLIGHT CHC POPS (20%) ALONG AND WEST OF I-95. PARTLY SUNNY AND MORE HUMID WITH HIGHS IN THE UPR 80S TO LOW 90S...WITH LOW/MID 80S AT THE BEACHES. MILDER WED NIGHT WITH LOWS IN THE LOW TO MID 70S. THURSDAY... UPR RIDGING RETROGRADES A BIT THURSDAY AS A TROUGH MOVES ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES AND PUSHES A COLD FRONT INTO THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION BY LATE IN THE DAY. DUE TO THE LATE ARRIVAL OF THE FRONT...CHC POPS (30-40%) WILL REMAIN ACROSS WESTERN AREAS DURING THE AFTN...LOWERING TO ~20% AT THE COAST. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW MAX TEMPS TO REACH INTO THE LOW/MID 90S...EXCEPT 80S AT THE IMMEDIATE COAST. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... PATTERN INITIALLY BEGINS WITH A MID/UPPER LEVEL RIDGE CENTERED OVER THE SW CONUS AND AN UPPER LEVEL LOW PERSISTING ACRS HUDSON BAY CANADA. GFS/ECMWF IN DECENT AGREEMENT THAT AN UPPER TROUGH AXIS WILL EXTEND SOUTH INTO THE GREAT LAKES FRI/SAT...THEN FLATTEN OUT SUN/MON. ACRS THE DEEP SOUTH/GULF COAST STATES...MODELS SHOW A GENERAL PERSISTENCE OF A WEAK UPPER LEVEL TROUGH. APPEARS THAT A SFC COLD FRONT WILL PUSH THROUGH AT LEAST SOME OF THE AREA LATER THU NIGHT INTO FRI...QUESTION IS WITH REGARD TO HOW FAR SOUTH IT MAKES IT BEFORE STALLING/DISSIPATING. FOR NOW WILL GO WITH A CLIMO-TYPE OF SCENARIO WHERE THE FRONT STALLS AND WEAKENS OVER FAR SRN VA/NC LATE FRI INTO THE WEEKEND. BEST CHC FOR PRECIP LOOKS TO BE THU NIGHT/EARLY FRI AM WITH THE FRONT...THEN WILL KEEP CHC POPS (30- 40%) ACROSS MAINLY SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE FA FRI-SUN WITH THE FRONT STALLED TO OUR SOUTH AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LOW PRESSURE TO MOVE NORTHWARD ALONG THE FRONT. TYPICAL SUMMERTIME TEMPERATURES CAN BE EXPECTED WITH HIGHS MAINLY RANGING FROM THE MID/UPPER 80S TO LWR 90S AND LOWS GENERALLY RANGING FROM THE MID 60S NW TO THE LWR 70S SE. && .AVIATION /19Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... THE WEAK SURFACE FRONT REMAINS NORTH OF THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON...AND CLOUDS ARE GRADUALLY BREAKING UP BEHIND THE COMPLEX OF SHOWERS AND TSTORMS THAT MOVED THROUGH THE REGION THIS MORNING. WITH THE BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS WILL BEGIN TO SEE SOME CU DEVELOPMENT THIS AFTERNOON...BUT GUIDANCE SHOWS THAT ANY CONVECTION THAT FORMS SHOULD BE NORTH AND WEST OF THE AREA...MAINLY OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN AS THERE IS NO FOCUSING MECHANISM TO ORGANIZE ANY FORCING. FOR TONIGHT...SHOULD SEE LOTS OF DRY AIR ALOFT SLIDE THROUGH THE AREA. THE GFS SHOWS MORE CLEAR CONDITIONS THAN THE NAM...AND WHILE THERE COULD BE SOME PATCHES OF CLOUDS...SHOULD SEE LESS CLOUDS THAN MORE...BUT IN ALL CASES...SUSPECT CONDITIONS WILL BE VFR. SBY COULD SEE SOME FOG THOUGH AFTER GETTING NEARLY 1.5" OF RAIN THIS MORNING. THE VFR CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE INTO THE DAY ON TUESDAY WITH THE TRADITIONAL DAYTIME CU FORMING BETWEEN 15Z AND 16Z. VFR CONDITIONS SHOULD PREVAIL UNTIL THURSDAY WHEN A COLD FRONT ARRIVES LATE IN THE DAY AND CONVECTION SHOULD BE MORE PREVALENT WITH MVFR TO IFR CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. && .MARINE... WK SFC HIGH PRES REMAINS ALONG/JUST OFF THE COAST WITH WEAK SFC TROUGHING INLAND ACRS THE COASTAL PLAIN. S/SE WINDS AVG 10- 15 KT THIS EVENING/OVERNIGHT...AND WILL GENLY BE A BIT LIGHTER TUE/WED AS SFC HIGH PRESSURE RE-ESTABLISHES ITSELF OVER THE AREA. WAVES OVER THE BAY THRU MIDWEEK WILL AVG 1-2 FT...W/ 2-3 FT SEAS OVER COASTAL WATERS. A WEAK COLD FRONT APPROACHES THE WATERS LATE THU...THEN STALLS SOUTH OF THE AREA BY LATE IN THE WEEK. SSW WINDS AOB 15 KT EXPECTED THU-FRI. WAVES 1-2 FT AND SEAS 2-4 FT. && .AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...NONE. NC...NONE. VA...NONE. MARINE...NONE. && SYNOPSIS...JDM NEAR TERM...JDM SHORT TERM...JDM LONG TERM...LKB AVIATION...ESS MARINE...LKB
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 27, 2:55 PM EST, 3 hours 9 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 355 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015 MDZ021>025-NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>090-092- 093-095>100-509>525-282000- DORCHESTER-WICOMICO-SOMERSET-INLAND WORCESTER-MARYLAND BEACHES- NORTHAMPTON NC-HERTFORD-GATES-PASQUOTANK-CAMDEN-INLAND CURRITUCK- BERTIE-CHOWAN-PERQUIMANS-OUTER BANKS CURRITUCK-FLUVANNA- PRINCE EDWARD-CUMBERLAND-GOOCHLAND-CAROLINE-MECKLENBURG-LUNENBURG- NOTTOWAY-AMELIA-POWHATAN-WESTMORELAND-RICHMOND-NORTHUMBERLAND- LANCASTER-BRUNSWICK-DINWIDDIE-PRINCE GEORGE-CHARLES CITY-NEW KENT- GLOUCESTER-MIDDLESEX-MATHEWS-GREENSVILLE-SUSSEX-SURRY-JAMES CITY- SOUTHAMPTON-ISLE OF WIGHT-NORFOLK/PORTSMOUTH-SUFFOLK-CHESAPEAKE- VIRGINIA BEACH-ACCOMACK-NORTHAMPTON VA-WESTERN LOUISA-EASTERN LOUISA- WESTERN HANOVER-EASTERN HANOVER-WESTERN CHESTERFIELD- EASTERN CHESTERFIELD-WESTERN HENRICO-EASTERN HENRICO- WESTERN KING WILLIAM-EASTERN KING WILLIAM-WESTERN KING AND QUEEN- EASTERN KING AND QUEEN-WESTERN ESSEX-EASTERN ESSEX-YORK-NEWPORT NEWS- HAMPTON/POQUOSON- 355 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND...COASTAL NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...INTERIOR NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...THE NORTHERN OUTER BANKS OF NORTH CAROLINA...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 NORTHERN NECK OF VIRGINIA...THE PENINSULA OF SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA AND THE PIEDMONT OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...THROUGH 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, Jul 27, 4:30 PM EST, 1 hour 34 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
530 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015
VAZ048-061-062-069-272200-
CUMBERLAND-POWHATAN-GOOCHLAND-FLUVANNA-
530 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN GOOCHLAND...
SOUTHEASTERN FLUVANNA...NORTHEASTERN CUMBERLAND AND NORTHWESTERN
POWHATAN COUNTIES...
AT 529 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS OVER DUNCAN...OR 7 MILES
SOUTHEAST OF FORK UNION...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH.
WIND GUSTS OF 30 TO 40 MPH AND PEA SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.
THIS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
FIFE AROUND 540 PM EDT.
TRENHOLM AROUND 555 PM EDT.
OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE THREE SQUARE...
TAMWORTH...ELK HILL...WEST VIEW...GEORGES TAVERN...BREMO BLUFF AND
PEMBERTON.
IF YOU SEE LIGHTNING OR HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE AT RISK. TAKE SHELTER
INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU CANNOT FIND SHELTER IN A BUILDING A
VEHICLE PROVIDES SAFETY FROM LIGHTNING.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. IF YOU HEAR
THUNDER...SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
LAT...LON 3778 7825 3772 7794 3757 7807 3766 7825
3769 7824 3769 7826 3771 7829 3771 7831
TIME...MOT...LOC 2129Z 297DEG 18KT 3769 7816
MINNICKSpecial weather statement, Jul 27, 4:45 PM EST, 1 hour 19 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 545 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015 VAZ064-517-519-521-272230- WESTERN KING AND QUEEN-CAROLINE-WESTERN KING WILLIAM-WESTERN ESSEX- 545 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN ESSEX...EAST CENTRAL CAROLINE AND NORTHWESTERN KING AND QUEEN COUNTIES... AT 543 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS NEAR LORETTO...OR 9 MILES WEST OF CHAMPLAIN...MOVING SOUTH...SOUTHEAST AT 5 TO 10 MPH. WIND GUSTS OF 30 TO 40 MPH AND SMALL HAIL WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. 1 TO 2 INCHES RAINFALL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. THIS STORM WILL BE NEAR... NEWTOWN AROUND 630 PM EDT. OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE OWENTON...REXBURG... SUPPLY...ELEVON...SALVIA...INDIAN NECK...HUSTLE...GETHER...CENTRAL POINT AND BEAZLEY. TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING. IF THE ROAD AHEAD OF YOU IS FLOODED...TURN AROUND. DRIVING THROUGH FLOODED ROADS IS DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING. FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. IF YOU HEAR THUNDER...SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. LAT...LON 3811 7724 3814 7713 3792 7692 3786 7721 TIME...MOT...LOC 2143Z 345DEG 9KT 3806 7717 BROWN
Special weather statement, Jul 27, 4:45 PM EST, 1 hour 19 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
545 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015
VAZ062-069-272230-
POWHATAN-GOOCHLAND-
545 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN GOOCHLAND AND POWHATAN
COUNTIES...
AT 545 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS NEAR GOOCHLAND...MOVING
SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH.
WIND GUSTS OF 30 TO 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
1 TO 2 INCHES RAINFALL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
THIS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
POWHATAN AROUND 555 PM EDT.
OILVILLE AROUND 605 PM EDT.
SABOT AROUND 625 PM EDT.
MANAKIN AROUND 630 PM EDT.
OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE THREE SQUARE...
SUBLETTS...CROZIER...JEFFERSON...MICHAUX...WEST VIEW...GOODWINS
STORE...FLAT ROCK...JOHNSONS SPRINGS AND FINE CREEK MILLS.
IF YOU SEE LIGHTNING OR HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE AT RISK. TAKE SHELTER
INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU CANNOT FIND SHELTER IN A BUILDING A
VEHICLE PROVIDES SAFETY FROM LIGHTNING.
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY CAUSE
LOCALIZED FLOODING. IF THE ROAD AHEAD OF YOU IS FLOODED...TURN
AROUND. DRIVING THROUGH FLOODED ROADS IS DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY
LIFE THREATENING.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. IF YOU HEAR
THUNDER...SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
LAT...LON 3777 7794 3774 7781 3772 7778 3771 7772
3771 7767 3770 7763 3746 7779 3746 7780
3745 7780 3743 7781 3761 7807
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 295DEG 11KT 3763 7791
MINNICKSpecial weather statement, Jul 27, 5:22 PM EST, 42 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 622 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015 VAZ062-069-511-513-515-272245- EASTERN HENRICO (INCLUDING THE CITY OF RICHMOND)-POWHATAN-GOOCHLAND-WESTERN CHESTERFIELD-WESTERN HANOVER- 622 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN HENRICO... SOUTHEASTERN GOOCHLAND...WEST CENTRAL HANOVER...NORTHWESTERN CITY OF RICHMOND AND NORTHEASTERN POWHATAN COUNTIES... AT 622 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS NEAR MANAKIN...OR 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF TUCKAHOE...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH. WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH AND DIME SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. THIS STORM WILL BE NEAR... TUCKAHOE AND WYNDHAM AROUND 630 PM EDT. RICHMOND...UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND...BON AIR...LAUREL...LAKESIDE AND GLEN ALLEN AROUND 645 PM EDT. OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE ELMONT...CROZIER... ROSLYN HILLS...GREENDALE...VONTAY...SHORT PUMP...LONGDALE... ROCKVILLE...JOHNSONS SPRINGS AND DUMBARTON. IF YOU SEE LIGHTNING OR HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE AT RISK. TAKE SHELTER INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU CANNOT FIND SHELTER IN A BUILDING A VEHICLE PROVIDES SAFETY FROM LIGHTNING. STRONG WIND GUSTS ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. THESE WIND GUSTS ARE CAPABLE OF KNOCKING DOWN TREE LIMBS...SMALL OR WEAKENED TREES...AND BLOWING AROUND TRASH CANS...POTTED PLANTS...LAWN FURNITURE AND OTHER LIGHT OUTDOOR OBJECTS. FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. IF YOU HEAR THUNDER...SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. LAT...LON 3762 7784 3776 7777 3773 7744 3751 7753 TIME...MOT...LOC 2222Z 283DEG 21KT 3766 7770 MINNICK
Special weather statement, Jul 27, 5:26 PM EST, 38 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
626 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015
VAZ064-511-512-517-519-521-522-272330-
WESTERN KING AND QUEEN-EASTERN HANOVER-CAROLINE-EASTERN ESSEX-WESTERN
KING WILLIAM-WESTERN HANOVER-WESTERN ESSEX-
626 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN ESSEX...
CAROLINE...CENTRAL HANOVER...NORTHWESTERN KING WILLIAM AND
NORTHWESTERN KING AND QUEEN COUNTIES...
AT 625 PM EDT...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WAS ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM NEAR NEWTOWN TO NEAR LADYSMITH...AND MOVING SOUTHEAST
AT 5 MPH.
WIND GUSTS OF 30 TO 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.
1 TO 2 INCHES RAINFALL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
ASHLAND...BOWLING GREEN...RANDOLPH MACON COLLEGE...SAINT STEPHENS
CHURCH...MILFORD...HANOVER...BEULAHVILLE...KINGS DOMINION...
MANGOHICK...DAWN...MILLERS TAVERN...NEWTOWN...LADYSMITH...AYLETT...
UPSHAW...CEDAR FORK...POLLARDS CORNER...DUANE FORK...TURPIN AND
GOLANSVILLE.
MOTORISTS SHOULD USE EXTRA CAUTION IN THE VICINITY OF THESE STORMS.
BE PREPARED FOR RAPID CHANGES IN WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS. HEAVY
RAIN COULD CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADS...AND POSSIBLE MINOR
FLOODING OF DITCHES AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. IF YOU HEAR
THUNDER...SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
LAT...LON 3804 7714 3784 7685 3777 7697 3774 7754
3799 7765 3808 7754
TIME...MOT...LOC 2225Z 325DEG 6KT 3796 7718 3794 7751
DEROSASpecial weather statement, Jul 27, 5:43 PM EST, 21 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 643 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015 VAZ062-511-515-516-272315- EASTERN HENRICO (INCLUDING THE CITY OF RICHMOND)-GOOCHLAND-EASTERN HENRICO-WESTERN HANOVER- 643 PM EDT MON JUL 27 2015 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN HENRICO... SOUTHEASTERN GOOCHLAND...SOUTHWESTERN HANOVER AND NORTHERN CITY OF RICHMOND COUNTIES... AT 643 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS OVER WYNDHAM...OR NEAR TUCKAHOE...MOVING EAST AT 10 MPH. WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH AND NICKEL SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. THIS STORM WILL BE NEAR... TUCKAHOE AROUND 650 PM EDT. RICHMOND...MECHANICSVILLE...LAUREL...GLEN ALLEN AND LAKESIDE AROUND 715 PM EDT. OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE ELMONT...ROSLYN HILLS...HANOVER AIRPORT...GREENDALE...SHORT PUMP...LONGDALE... CHAMBERLAYNE...ROCKVILLE...JOHNSONS SPRINGS AND SOLOMONS STORE. IF YOU SEE LIGHTNING OR HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE AT RISK. TAKE SHELTER INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU CANNOT FIND SHELTER IN A BUILDING A VEHICLE PROVIDES SAFETY FROM LIGHTNING. STRONG WIND GUSTS ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. THESE WIND GUSTS ARE CAPABLE OF KNOCKING DOWN TREE LIMBS...SMALL OR WEAKENED TREES...AND BLOWING AROUND TRASH CANS...POTTED PLANTS...LAWN FURNITURE AND OTHER LIGHT OUTDOOR OBJECTS. TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING. IF THE ROAD AHEAD OF YOU IS FLOODED...TURN AROUND. DRIVING THROUGH FLOODED ROADS IS DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING. FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. IF YOU HEAR THUNDER...SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. LAT...LON 3775 7771 3775 7741 3752 7743 3761 7773 TIME...MOT...LOC 2243Z 273DEG 10KT 3768 7763 MINNICK
The radar
The Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 84 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:02 UTC.
Event by event
2 thunderstorm wind, 1 funnel cloud, 1 hail, 1 lightning, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
Hail, Hanover
- When
- July 27, 6:13 PM EST to 6:18 PM EST
- Where
- Hanover County, 2.19 mi E of French Hay
- Measured
- 1 in hail
- Reported by
- Amateur Radio
- Coordinates
- 37.680, -77.390
Quarter size hail was measured.
Lightning, Hanover
- When
- July 27, 6:20 PM EST
- Where
- Hanover County, 0.83 mi E of French Hay
- Property damage
- $50,000
- Reported by
- Broadcast Media
- Coordinates
- 37.679, -77.415
Lightning struck a tree in the Kings Charter Neighborhood, causing the tree to catch fire. The fire then spread into an adjacent home's attic resulting in extensive damage.
Thunderstorm Wind, Hanover
- When
- July 27, 6:20 PM EST to 6:30 PM EST
- Where
- Hanover County, 0.88 mi SE of French Hay to 0.57 mi WSW of Rural Pt
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $50,000
- Reported by
- Amateur Radio
- Coordinates
- 37.670, -77.420
Significant damage occurred in the Atlee Ridge area of Mechanicsville. Neighborhoods included Kings Charter and Patrick Henry Estates. Numerous trees and large limbs were downed, with some trees and limbs falling onto homes. Falling trees and limbs also downed power wires and blew transformers. Over 5,000 Dominion Power customers lost power.
Thunderstorm Wind, King William
- When
- July 27, 6:40 PM EST to 6:50 PM EST
- Where
- King William County, 3.66 mi SW of Manquin to 5.22 mi SW of Manquin
- Measured
- 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- Amateur Radio
- Coordinates
- 37.669, -77.204
HAM radio operators reported several large branches down on State Route 360, southwest of Manquin.
Heavy Rain, Hanover
- When
- July 27, 7:30 PM EST
- Where
- Hanover County, 2.19 mi E of French Hay
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 37.680, -77.390
Rainfall amount of 1.90 inches was measured by spotter.
What these are
- Funnel Cloud
- A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
- Hail
- Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
- Lightning
- A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
- 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.
- Heavy Rain
- Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Excessive Heat in Missouri, July 27 to 29, 2015
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Montana, July 27, 2015
- Wildfire in California, July 27 to 31, 2015
- Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Iowa, July 27, 2015
- Flash Flood and Hail in Massachusetts, July 27, 2015
- Damaging Wind in Kentucky, July 27, 2015
- Damaging Winds in Montana, July 27, 2015
- Damaging Winds in North Dakota, July 27, 2015
- Excessive Heat in Kentucky, July 27 to 29, 2015
- Excessive Heat in Illinois, July 27 to 29, 2015
- Damaging Winds and Heavy Rain in Missouri, July 27, 2015
- Hail and Damaging Winds in South Dakota, July 27, 2015
More
Every storm in Virginia in 2015Every state in 2015This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, July 2015
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: 582428, 582429, 582434, 582437, 582438, 597004.