Scattered severe thunderstorms associated with a cold front produced damaging winds across portions of central and eastern Virginia.
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 AKQ wrote it up.
Scattered severe thunderstorms associated with a cold front produced damaging winds across portions of central and eastern Virginia.
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 Aug 17, 7:13 PM EST, 14 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wakefield VA 813 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016 .SYNOPSIS... A frontal boundary will approach the region from the northwest late this evening and settle over the area Thursday. The boundary will drop farther south into the Carolinas on Friday...as high pressure builds into New England. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/... Another afternoon of isolated to scattered storms developing and moving slowly across the area...mainly inland NE NC, the Eastern Tidewater and VA Piedmont counties thus far this evening. Despite PW values around 2" and sfc based CAPE 2500-4000 J/KG, minimal effective shear and warm air aloft have kept areal coverage of showers rather low. Showers and storms are gradually diminishing in areal coverage across the south, and expect this trend to continue through the next few hours. Farther north, however...rain chances continue through the early overnight hours. A weak s/w aloft tracks by just N of the FA tonight. Subtle, persistent lift supplied by this feature will result in numerous rounds of sct showers and storms over the northern half of the area, mainly along and just south of weak frontal boundary analyzed from DC/Capital district to just north of our Eastern Shore counties. Will keep heavy rain/gusty winds mention for now over northern areas in the HWO. Eventually expect frontal boundary will drop S across the northern half of the FA overnight, with partial clearing late. Will likely see some patchy fog/low Stratus re-occur tonight along and just south of the boundary, especially along and west of i-95 where narrow areas of 1-3" of rain occurred earlier this evening. Early morning lows in the l-m70s inland...m-u70s at the coast. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY/... The front gradually drops through SRN VA-NE NC through Thu. POPs for the most part will be in the 30-50% range with emphasis on SRN/SE areas. Locally heavy possible as PWAT linger from 2-2.25". Vrb clouds to mostly cloudy...warm and humid w/ highs mainly in the m-u80s to l90s. The front gradually drops into the Carolinas Thu night. POPs taper off from 30-50% during the evening to 20-30% across far SE VA/coastal NE NC. Lows mainly in the l-m70s (u70s right near the coast). Fri into Sat will have remnant frontal boundary lingering over SRN VA-NRN NC. Very weak ridge aloft w/ any forcing quite weak. Will be warm/humid w/ vrb clouds and mainly diurnally driven convection (locally heavy possible). Highs in the u80s-l90s. Lows in the 70s. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Long term period starts off Sat night/Sun with an upper-level trough and associated surface cold front approaching from the west. This will lead to a good chance of shras/tstms especially late Sun. Temps Sun warm up into the lwr 90s ahead of the front. 12Z GFS/ECMWF then agree on a fropa Sun night, with drier conditions thereafter through mid week as sfc hi pres builds into the region. High temps mainly in the 80s Mon through Wed with low temps in the mid 60s to lwr 70s. && .AVIATION /00Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Mainly VFR conditions are expected thru the TAF period. However, a frontal boundary will drop ESE into/acrs portions of the region later this evening thru Thu. This will result in isolated to at least sctd showers and tstms ovr the area during this time period. RIC and SBY taf sites have the highest POPS this evening into early Thu morning, so will have prevailing SHRA within this period. Will have VCSH at ORF and PHF and just VCTS at ECG. There could be some ptchy MVFR BR late tngt especially in areas that get rain. The front drops south of the region Fri, then lifts back north through the area Sat/Sun with another chance of showers/tstms. && .MARINE... Sub-sca conditions expected this week. A weak frontal boundary over the northern Mid Atlc this aftn will drop into the local area and dissipate by Thu, with winds staying mainly aob 10 kt during this timeframe and waves 1-2 ft/seas 2-3 ft. Very weak pressure gradient into the day Fri will keep winds light and vrb. Sub-sca criteria winds then shift back to the south Fri night through Sun ahead of the next cold front, which crosses the region early Mon. && .CLIMATE... ORF tied another record high min TUE 8/16 (see RER for details). Record highs and record high mins for Wed are listed below: * Record Highs: * Today Wed (8/17) * RIC 99 (1988) * ORF 98 (1988) * SBY 97 (1997) * Record High Mins: * Today Wed (8/17) * RIC 76 (2010) * ORF 80 (1995) * SBY 78 (1995) && .AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. NC...None. VA...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS...MAM NEAR TERM...ALB/MAM SHORT TERM...ALB LONG TERM...MAS AVIATION...TMG MARINE...MAS CLIMATE...
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 502 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016 NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ065-066-079>081-087>090-092-093-095>098- 100-523>525-182115- NORTHAMPTON-HERTFORD-GATES-PASQUOTANK-CAMDEN-WESTERN CURRITUCK- BERTIE-CHOWAN-PERQUIMANS-EASTERN CURRITUCK-MECKLENBURG-LUNENBURG- BRUNSWICK-DINWIDDIE-PRINCE GEORGE-GREENSVILLE-SUSSEX-SURRY- JAMES CITY-SOUTHAMPTON-ISLE OF WIGHT-NORFOLK/PORTSMOUTH-SUFFOLK- CHESAPEAKE-VIRGINIA BEACH-YORK-NEWPORT NEWS-HAMPTON/POQUOSON- 502 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...EASTERN VIRGINIA...SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. HEAT INDICES WILL CONTINUE TO RANGE FROM 100 TO 104 DEGREES LATE THIS AFTERNOON. ALSO...ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AND GUSTY WINDS ARE POSSIBLE IN ANY STORMS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THURSDAY. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AND GUSTY WINDS ARE POSSIBLE IN ANY STORMS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. MDZ021>025-VAZ048-060>062-064-067>069-075>078-082>086-099-509>522- 182115- DORCHESTER-WICOMICO-SOMERSET-INLAND WORCESTER-MARYLAND BEACHES- FLUVANNA-PRINCE EDWARD-CUMBERLAND-GOOCHLAND-CAROLINE-NOTTOWAY-AMELIA- POWHATAN-WESTMORELAND-RICHMOND-NORTHUMBERLAND-LANCASTER-CHARLES CITY- NEW KENT-GLOUCESTER-MIDDLESEX-MATHEWS-ACCOMACK-WESTERN LOUISA- EASTERN LOUISA-WESTERN HANOVER-EASTERN HANOVER-WESTERN CHESTERFIELD- EASTERN CHESTERFIELD (INCLUDING COL. HEIGHTS)- WESTERN HENRICO (INCLUDING THE CITY OF RICHMOND)-EASTERN HENRICO- WESTERN KING WILLIAM-EASTERN KING WILLIAM-WESTERN KING AND QUEEN- EASTERN KING AND QUEEN-WESTERN ESSEX-EASTERN ESSEX- 502 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST MARYLAND...CENTRAL VIRGINIA...EAST CENTRAL VIRGINIA...EASTERN VIRGINIA...NORTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. HEAT INDICES WILL CONTINUE TO RANGE FROM 100 TO 104 DEGREES LATE THIS AFTERNOON. ALSO...ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH LATE THIS EVENING. SOME OF THE STORMS MAY PRODUCE STRONG GUSTY WINDS...SMALL HAIL...AND LOCALLY HEAVY DOWNPOURS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THURSDAY. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AND GUSTY WINDS ARE POSSIBLE IN ANY STORMS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
736 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016
VAZ061-062-069-510-511-180000-
POWHATAN-EASTERN LOUISA-WESTERN HANOVER-GOOCHLAND-CUMBERLAND-
736 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016
...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN
LOUISA...GOOCHLAND...NORTHWESTERN POWHATAN...NORTHEASTERN CUMBERLAND
AND WEST CENTRAL HANOVER COUNTIES...
AT 735 PM EDT...THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WERE LOCATED ALONG A
LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR GUM SPRING TO NEAR DUNCAN. MOVEMENT WAS
NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
GOOCHLAND...HADENSVILLE...COLUMBIA...MONTPELIER...FIFE...GUM
SPRING...LAKESIDE VILLAGE...OILVILLE...BUMPASS...DUNCAN...
ROCKVILLE...APPLE GROVE...MAIDENS...IRWIN...ELK HILL...SANDY
HOOK...MABELTON...ORCHID...PEMBERTON AND LOCUST CREEK.
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 MORE THAN 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM.
SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
LAT...LON 3771 7822 3773 7821 3775 7818 3775 7816
3777 7815 3803 7778 3775 7756 3758 7814
3770 7823
TIME...MOT...LOC 2335Z 232DEG 29KT 3780 7792 3767 7809
05SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
740 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016
NCZ012-VAZ079-087-180030-
NORTHAMPTON-BRUNSWICK-GREENSVILLE-
740 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016
...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN
NORTHAMPTON...SOUTHERN GREENSVILLE AND SOUTHEASTERN BRUNSWICK
COUNTIES...
AT 739 PM EDT...THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WERE LOCATED ALONG A
LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR LITTLETON TO 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BARLEY TO
ROANOKE RAPIDS. MOVEMENT WAS NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
ROANOKE RAPIDS...GARYSBURG...DAHLIA...GASTON...SEABOARD...BARLEY...
WELDON...TURNERS CROSSROADS...VALENTINES...MARGARETTSVILLE...
PLEASANT HILL...SLATES CORNER...TRIPLET...BRINK...GUMBERRY...
VULTARE...GUM FORKS...HENRICO...
BRYANTS CORNER AND ROANOKE RAPIDS LAKE.
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 MORE THAN 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM.
SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
LAT...LON 3642 7756 3642 7759 3645 7763 3648 7765
3649 7773 3648 7775 3650 7782 3651 7790
3654 7790 3654 7794 3663 7777 3663 7755
3657 7736 3655 7735 3656 7733 3654 7727
3639 7754
TIME...MOT...LOC 2339Z 243DEG 21KT 3650 7794 3649 7780 3647 7764
05SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
758 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016
VAZ064-511-512-517-180030-
CAROLINE-WESTERN KING WILLIAM-EASTERN HANOVER-WESTERN HANOVER-
758 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016
...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN
KING WILLIAM...SOUTH CENTRAL CAROLINE AND SOUTHEASTERN HANOVER
COUNTIES...
AT 757 PM EDT...THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WERE LOCATED ALONG A
LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR RANDOLPH MACON COLLEGE TO NEAR STUDLEY TO
NEAR HIGHLAND SPRINGS. MOVEMENT WAS NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.
WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND PEA SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH
THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
ASHLAND...RANDOLPH MACON COLLEGE...MECHANICSVILLE...HANOVER...
MANQUIN...BEULAHVILLE...MANGOHICK...DAWN...AYLETT...STUDLEY...
GLEN ALLEN...UPSHAW...POLLARDS CORNER...DUANE FORK...RUMFORD...
TURPIN...EPWORTH...ASHCAKE...ELMONT AND ATLEE.
STRONG WIND GUSTS ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS. 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.
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 MORE THAN 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM.
SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
LAT...LON 3784 7713 3781 7712 3780 7710 3779 7710
3777 7707 3775 7709 3775 7706 3772 7703
3768 7707 3756 7729 3761 7741 3768 7745
3768 7748 3770 7749 3770 7752 3769 7754
3773 7758 3792 7729
TIME...MOT...LOC 2357Z 234DEG 23KT 3778 7752 3767 7734 3760 7724
05SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
803 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016
VAZ064-510-511-180030-
CAROLINE-EASTERN LOUISA-WESTERN HANOVER-
803 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN LOUISA...
SOUTHWESTERN CAROLINE AND NORTHWESTERN HANOVER COUNTIES...
AT 803 PM EDT...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE CLUSTERED NEAR
MONTPELIER... OR 14 MILES NORTHWEST OF RANDOLPH MACON
COLLEGE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.
WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND PEA SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
MONTPELIER...KINGS DOMINION...BUMPASS...LADYSMITH...OLIVER...
CEDAR FORK...BEAVERDAM...DOSWELL...CHILESBURG...GOLANSVILLE...
GILMAN...BURRUSS CORNER...GUM TREE...PENOLA...CEDON...COATESVILLE...
HEWLETT...NOEL...GOODALL AND MABELTON.
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.
MOTORISTS SHOULD USE EXTRA CAUTION IN THE VICINITY OF THIS STORM. 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 MORE THAN 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM.
SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
LAT...LON 3792 7729 3771 7761 3771 7763 3784 7791
3803 7773 3802 7773 3801 7771 3801 7767
3799 7766 3799 7764 3809 7753
TIME...MOT...LOC 0003Z 241DEG 28KT 3788 7770
05PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
806 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0641 PM MARINE TSTM WIND 1 ENE RUDEE HEIGHTS 36.83N 75.97W
08/17/2016 M49 MPH ANZ656 VA MESONET
.
&&
LSASPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
821 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016
VAZ064-511-512-517-519-521-522-180100-
CAROLINE-WESTERN KING WILLIAM-EASTERN ESSEX-EASTERN HANOVER-WESTERN
HANOVER-WESTERN KING AND QUEEN-WESTERN ESSEX-
821 PM EDT WED AUG 17 2016
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN KING
WILLIAM...NORTHWESTERN KING AND QUEEN...CENTRAL ESSEX...CAROLINE AND
CENTRAL HANOVER COUNTIES THROUGH 9 PM EDT...
AT 820 PM EDT...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED
ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR BUMPASS TO NEAR DAWN TO TUNSTALL.
MOVEMENT WAS NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH.
WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES
ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
TAPPAHANNOCK...BOWLING GREEN...SAINT STEPHENS CHURCH...MILFORD...
MANQUIN...BEULAHVILLE...MANGOHICK...DAWN...MILLERS TAVERN...
NEWTOWN...LADYSMITH... AYLETT...UPSHAW...CEDAR FORK...ELEVON...
POLLARDS CORNER...DUANE FORK... RUMFORD...TURPIN AND WOODFORD.
STRONG WIND GUSTS ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS. 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.
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 MORE THAN 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM.
SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
LAT...LON 3809 7721 3790 7681 3762 7715 3783 7740
3799 7770 3801 7769 3799 7764 3815 7747
TIME...MOT...LOC 0020Z 234DEG 18KT 3799 7765 3788 7733 3764 7712
05The Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 106 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:24 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Tree was downed onto a building.
Trees were downed.
Trees were downed.
Tree was downed and blocking Southbound Route 301.
Three trees were downed and blocking a road.
Large tree was downed and blocking a road.
Large tree was downed and blocking a road.
Tree was downed along Route 639.
Trees were downed.
Trees were downed along Kings Highway in Oak Grove.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, August 2016
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: 657719, 657724, 657731, 657730, 657706, 657690, 657697, 657747, 657687, 657739.