Tornadoes and Hail in Virginia, February 24, 2016

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Virginia, February 24, 2016
Start: 2016-02-24T12:42
End: 2016-02-24T16:40
Location: Virginia

February 24, 2016 · NWS RNK · 29 events in 12 counties and zones

A strong surface low was located over Western TN in the morning. A wedge was in place over the region and expected to be eroded by a strong low level jet.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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

The toll

Deaths: 1
Injuries: 7
Property damage: $12 million
Crop damage: $140,000
Events: 29

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 RNK wrote it up.

A strong surface low was located over Western TN in the morning. A wedge was in place over the region and expected to be eroded by a strong low level jet. Bulk shear of 60 knots and storm-relative Helicity in the 400-600 m**2/s**2 range provided the dynamics for this severe event. With this shear in place, thunderstorms developed mainly east of the Blue Ridge, but some were also seen in the New and Roanoke River Valleys. Reports of thunderstorm wind damage and large hail came in from multiple counties across Virginia and North Carolina. Also, two tornados (including a historic EF-3 in Appomattox County) occurred. This was the first EF-3 tornado in the month of February ever recorded in the NWS Blacksburg forecast area.

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 Blacksburg, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 24, 10:35 AM EST, 2 hours 7 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 24, 10:35 AM EST, 2 hours 7 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1035 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

.SYNOPSIS...
A STRONG STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE THROUGH THE REGION FROM THE
SOUTHWEST BRINGING GUSTY WINDS...HEAVY RAIN...AND SOME
THUNDERSTORMS TODAY. BEHIND THIS SYSTEM COLDER AIR AND WINDY
CONDITIONS WILL PREVAIL WITH SNOW SHOWERS IN THE MOUNTAINS INTO
FRIDAY.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
AS OF 1030 AM EST WEDNESDAY...

NO CHANGES TO PREVIOUS THINKING. WEDGE REMAINS IN PLACE ACROSS
THE AREA BUT IT IS ERODING ALONG THE SOUTHEASTERN AND WESTERN
PERIPHERY. BELIEVE THE BEST CHANCE FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE FROM
THE BLUE RIDGE EAST THIS AFTERNOON AS THE WEDGE ERODES AND THE
COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH WITH STRONG DYNAMICS. WILL NOT BE MAKING
ANY CHANGES AT THIS TIME TO THE CURRENT SUITE OF WATCHES AND
WARNINGS ALREADY IN EFFECT.

PREVIOUS AFD...

WEDGE FIRMLY IN PLACE THIS MORNING WITH RAIN/DRIZZLE COVERING MUCH
OF THE AREA...WITH MOST OF THE RAIN IN THE NC MTNS AND FOOTHILLS
NORTH INTO SOUTHERN VA BLUE RIDGE.

WEATHER TODAY WILL BE VERY ACTIVE WITH SEVERAL ISSUES TO DEAL WITH.
GRADIENT WINDS...FLOOD THREAT AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORM THREAT.

THIS MORNING...STRONG SFC LOW WAS LOCATED OVER WESTERN TN. WEDGE
FRONT WAS LOCATED FROM SRN WV SOUTH TOWARD UPSTATE SC/NE GA THEN
EAST ACROSS SRN NC. QUESTION WILL BE HOLD QUICK THE RAIN/WAA AND
STRONG LOW LVL JET CAN ERODE THE WEDGE TODAY. MODELS TEND TO BE TOO
QUICK IN THIS...BUT GIVEN SUCH A STRONG SOUTHERLY JET AND WITH
MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINS...WARMER AIR SHOULD WIN OUT BY MID TO LATE
AFTERNOON. THE ACTUAL SFC LOWS MOVES NORTH INTO THE OHIO VALLEY THIS
AFTERNOON WITH HIGH PRESSURE WEDGE RETREATING.

A 60+ KT LOW LVL JET ACROSS TN THIS MORNING WORKS EAST TO THE
PIEDMONT BY MID AFTERNOON THEN EAST OF US BY THIS EVENING. THIS WILL
BE A CULPRIT FOR GRADIENT WINDS TO EXCEED 45 MPH AT TIMES OVER THE
SRN WV TO NW NC MTNS IN THE FAVORED SE DOWNSLOPE AREAS. WIND
ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THESE AREAS THROUGH 4 PM...WHEN THE
SE LOW LVL COMPONENT TURNS MORE SOUTH THEN SOUTHWEST. GIVEN THE
STRONG LOW LVL WINDS...THE HIGHER RIDGES OF THE BLUE RIDGE AND
ALLEGHANYS MAY PASS WIND ADVISORY LEVELS...HOWEVER...THE WEDGE
APPEARS TO KEEP THE STRONGEST WINDS FROM AFFECTING MOST OF THE
POPULATION.

AS FAR AS THE FLOOD THREAT...SEE HYDRO DISCUSSION BELOW. NO CHANGES
TO THE HEADLINE THOUGH FLASH FLOODING THREAT WILL BE HIGHER AT TIMES
GIVEN DEEPER CONVECTION EXPECTED ESPECIALLY ALONG/EAST OF THE BLUE
RIDGE LATE THIS MORNING THRU THIS AFTERNOON.

FOR SEVERE WX...THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS AN HIGHEST RISK
SOUTHEAST OF A CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE TO DANVILLE TO REIDSVILLE
LINE...WITH SLIGHT RISK AS FAR WEST AS THE BLUE RIDGE. THE DYNAMICS
ARE THERE FOR SVR WINDS...WITH BULK SHEAR OF 60 KTS...STORM MOTION
SPEED WILL BE 40 TO 55 KTS. STORM RELATIVE HELICITIES WILL ALSO BE
HIGH IN THE 400-600 RANGE AND WITH RETREATING WEDGE FRONT EXPECT
SOME POTENTIAL SPINUPS. THE LIMITING FACTOR IS THERMODYNAMICS AS
CLOUD COVER WILL BE EXTENSIVE...BUT HIGH-RES MODELS FAVOR BREAKS IN
BETWEEN THE RAIN/DRIZZLE THIS MORNING AND THE LINE OF CONVECTION
LATER THIS AFTERNOON. THIS SPELLS A GOOD POTENTIAL FOR A FEW SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS TO FIRE UP. STILL THINK BIGGEST THREAT WILL LIE IN THE
FAR SE CWA AROUND SOUTH BOSTON...DANVILLE/YANCEYVILLE...AND POINTS
SOUTH AND EAST. ALL OF THIS WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED IN THE HWO.

AS FOR TEMPS WILL SEE IT STAY IN THE 40S ACROSS THE WEDGED AREAS
THROUGH MIDDAY/EARLY AFTERNOON THEN WARM INTO THE 50S BY 3-5PM. HAVE
IT WARMER WHERE WEDGE BREAKS DOWN FASTER...I.E. SOUTHSIDE VA/NW NC
PIEDMONT WHERE IT SHOULD GET TO THE LOWER TO MID 60S. THIS FORECAST
HINGES ON THE WEDGE BREAKING BUT NOT UNTIL LATE. SO IF THE WEDGE
STAYS IN PLACE LONGER...WE BUST THE FORECAST ON THE WARM SIDE...BUT
IF THE WEDGE ERODES FASTER...AND SUNSHINE PUSHES THROUGH FOR AN
HOUR...TEMPS IN DANVILLE TO SOUTH BOSTON TO YANCEYVILLE COULD TOP 70.
WENT CLOSER TO THE HIGH-RES LOCAL WRF...THE 06Z LAMP AND THE NAM
GUIDANCE WHICH HOLDS THE WEDGE LONGER...BUT NOT TOO LONG.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
AS OF 400 AM EST WEDNESDAY...

RAPIDLY DEEPENING CYCLONE WILL CONTINUE TO GAIN LATITUDE
TONIGHT...MOVING FROM OHIO INTO SOUTHERN ONTARIO...THE SURFACE
PRESSURE FALLING TO NEAR 980 MB BY DAYBREAK THURSDAY.  THE
ASSOCIATED SURFACE COLD FRONT WILL MOVE OFF THE EAST
COAST...PRESSURE RISES IN THE WAKE OF THE FRONT AND DEPARTING
CYCLONE RESULTING IN STRONG GUSTY WINDS WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO LINGER
THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT. 85H WINDS...OR WINDS 3 TO 5KFT ABOVE THE
SURFACE WILL BE HUMMING ALONG AT NEAR 50 KTS. THIS SHOULD TRANSLATE
INTO HEALTHY SURFACE GUSTS...ESPECIALLY ALONG THE RIDGE CRESTS.

IN ADDITION TO THE WIND...COLD AIR ADVECTION WILL BRING TEMPERATURES
BACK TO A MORE WINTRY FEEL. MODELS ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT H85 TEMPS
BOTTOM OUT AROUND -12C BY DAYBREAK FRIDAY. THIS WILL CAUSE ANY
LINGERING MOISTURE TO CHANGE OVER TO SNOW WITH PRIMARY IMPACT FROM
ACCUMULATION CONFINED TO AREAS WEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE...AND MOST
PROMINENTLY ALONG OUR WESTERN SLOPES FROM THE MOUNTAINS WEST OF
LEWISBURG TO THE HIGH COUNTRY OF NORTH CAROLINA. FROM LATE TONIGHT
THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...OVER ABOUT A 24 TO 30 HOUR PERIOD...WILL BE
LOOKING AT 3 TO 4 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 3500
FEET...AND AN INCH OR TWO IN BOONE...TAZEWELL...BLUEFIELD...AND
LEWISBURG. A DUSTING TO AN INCH IS POSSIBLE IN THE NEW RIVER VALLEY
AND HIGHLANDS OF VA...AND JUST FLURRIES ALONG THE BLUE RIDGE. DRY
DOWNSLOPE WINDS WILL SCOUR THE CLOUDS EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE WITH
LITTLE OR SNOW SHOWER ACTIVITY FOR THE FOOTHILLS AND PIEDMONT.

WILL NEED TO ADDRESS THE WIND AND SNOW ACCUMULATION HAZARD AT SOME
POINT WITH A HEADLINE...IN OTHER WORDS A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY OR
WIND ADVISORY. FOR NOW...WILL CONTINUE TO HIGHLIGHT THIS IN THE
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IN LIEU OF ADDING MORE HEADLINES TO THE
HODGEPODGE OF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES THAT WE ARE ALREADY
ADDRESSING IN THE NEAR TERM FORECAST.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
AS OF 250 PM EST TUESDAY...

BY SATURDAY...HIGH PRESSURE SHOULD FINALLY BUILD OVERHEAD AND
PROVIDE DRY WEATHER THROUGHOUT THE MID ATLANTIC. THE HIGH SHOULD
SHIFT EASTWARD ON SUNDAY...AND ALLOW MILDER AIR TO RETURN FROM THE
SOUTHWEST. AS A RESULT...TEMPERATURES COULD EASILY JUMP TEN DEGREES
HIGHER BETWEEN SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. THE NEXT LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM
SHOULD ARRIVE BY MONDAY...BUT THERE REMAINS CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY
WITH DETAILS IN TIMING AND QPF BETWEEN THE 12Z GFS AND 12Z ECMWF
MODELS. REGARDLESS...THE PRECIPITATION APPEARS TO BE JUST RAIN FOR
MONDAY...SO CHANCE POPS WERE INSERTED WITH THE HIGHEST VALUES IN THE
WESTERN MOUNTAINS. THE RAIN MAY CHANGE OVER TO UPSLOPE SNOW SHOWERS
DURING MONDAY NIGHT...BEFORE TRANSITIONING BACK TO RAIN ON TUESDAY.

&&

.AVIATION /16Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
AS OF 645 AM EST WEDNESDAY...

TAF SITES ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE POOR FLIGHT
CONDITIONS THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON WITH WEDGE RETREATING/ERODING
FROM BLF/DAN NWD THROUGH TONIGHT AS STRONG LOW LVL JET MIXES
WARMER AIR DOWN.

ISSUES WILL LOW CIGS/VSBYS AT TIMES EARLY ALONG WITH LOW LVL WIND
SHEAR. WINDS WILL BECOME GUSTY FROM THE SE THEN SW TO WEST THROUGH
THE PERIOD.

RAIN WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY FROM BCB/ROA EAST AND
THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO BE PREVALENT MORESO SOUTH AND EAST OF
KDAN. ATTM...CONFIDENCE NOT HIGH IN HAVING THUNDER PREDOMINANTLY
IN TAFS AND LEFT VCTS AT LYH/DAN ONLY. IN ADDITION...SOME
THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE STRONG TO SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS.

FRONT AND RAIN SWINGS EAST BY 00Z...THEN COLDER SW TO W WINDS KICK
IN OVERNIGHT. SNOW SHOWERS POSSIBLE AT BLF/LWB TOWARD 12Z THU.

GUSTS ALONG AND WEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE WILL BE IN THE 20 TO 30 KT
RANGE OR HIGHER LATER TONIGHT.

EXTENDED DISCUSSION...

MOUNTAIN SNOW SHOWERS WITH MVFR/IFR CEILINGS INTO FRIDAY MORNING.
WINDS SPEEDS. UPSLOPE SNOW SHOWERS WILL DIMINISH ON FRIDAY NIGHT
AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS INTO THE AREA. VFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY UNDER THE HIGH.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
AS OF 345 AM EST WEDNESDAY...

THE LATEST BLENDED TPW IMAGERY CONTINUES TO SHOW WELL DEFINED PW
PLUME EXTENDING INTO THE EASTERN U.S. THE PWAT ANOMALIES ARE ABOUT 2
TO 4 STANDARD DEVIATIONS ABOVE THE MEAN. TODAY WILL BE ABOUT WHERE
THE DEEPER CONVECTION OCCURS AND HOW FAST IT MOVES ACROSS. OUTSIDE
DEEP CONVECTION WILL SEE PERIODS OF LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN/RAIN
SHOWERS. WITH CONVECTION THINK THREAT OF FLASH FLOODING
EXISTS...THOUGH SPEED OF STORMS WILL BE RAPID. NO CHANGES TO THE
FLOOD WATCH AS RIVERS AND STREAM CONTINUE TO RUN HIGH AND GROUND
REMAINS SATURATED.

RAINFALL AMOUNTS WILL BE HIGHER NEAR THE BLUE RIDGE AND EAST AS
THINK SE COMPONENT TO THE SFC/LOW LVL WINDS WORK AS A RAIN SHADOW TO
THE NORTHWEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE...THOUGH THEN INCREASE AMOUNTS AGAIN
UPSLOPE INTO THE ALLEGHANYS. AVERAGE RAINFALL AMOUNTS FROM EARLY
THIS MORNING THROUGH THE END OF THE DAY WILL RANGE FROM ONE QUARTER
TO ONE HALF INCH ON THE WEST SIDE AND PORTIONS OF THE PIEDMONT...TO
1 TO 2 INCHES NEAR AND EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE.

&&

.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING FOR VAZ007-009>020-
     022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059.
     WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR VAZ007-009-010-
     012-015.
NC...FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING FOR NCZ001>006-018>020.
     WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR NCZ001-002-018.
WV...FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING FOR WVZ042>044-507-508.
     WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR WVZ042.

&&

SYNOPSIS...JH/WP
NEAR TERM...MBS/WP
SHORT TERM...PM
LONG TERM...PW
AVIATION...AMS/RCS/WP
HYDROLOGY...WP

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 24, 11:42 AM EST, 1 hour before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1142 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

NCZ003-019-VAZ011-013-014-016>020-022>024-032>035-WVZ044-507-251645-
SURRY-WILKES-GILES-PULASKI-MONTGOMERY-CARROLL-FLOYD-CRAIG-
ALLEGHANY VA-BATH-ROANOKE-BOTETOURT-ROCKBRIDGE-PATRICK-FRANKLIN-
BEDFORD-AMHERST-MONROE-EASTERN GREENBRIER-
1142 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL NORTH
CAROLINA...NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTH
CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND
SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH.

IN ADDITION...A FEW THUNDERSTORMS COULD BRING STRONG WIND GUSTS
THIS AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS MAY ALSO GUST TO ADVISORY LEVELS LATE
THURSDAY INTO THURSDAY NIGHT.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

WVZ043-508-251645-
SUMMERS-WESTERN GREENBRIER-
1142 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS ALONG WITH ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL MAY REACH
ADVISORY LEVELS FROM THURSDAY INTO THURSDAY NIGHT.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

NCZ001-002-018-VAZ007-009-010-012-015-WVZ042-251645-
ASHE-ALLEGHANY NC-WATAUGA-TAZEWELL-SMYTH-BLAND-WYTHE-GRAYSON-MERCER-
1142 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON...
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWEST NORTH
CAROLINA...SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH.
   WIND ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS ALONG WITH ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL MAY REACH
ADVISORY LEVELS FROM LATE TONIGHT INTO THURSDAY NIGHT.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

NCZ004-020-VAZ043>047-058-059-251645-
STOKES-YADKIN-HENRY-PITTSYLVANIA-CAMPBELL-APPOMATTOX-BUCKINGHAM-
HALIFAX-CHARLOTTE-
1142 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL NORTH
CAROLINA...NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND SOUTH
CENTRAL VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH.

THERE IS ALSO A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THE MAIN
THREAT WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS...WITH ISOLATED TORNADOES ALSO
POSSIBLE. THE TIMING FOR THIS WILL BE BETWEEN NOON AND 7 PM.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

NCZ005-006-251645-
ROCKINGHAM-CASWELL-
1142 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 26 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH.
   TORNADO WATCH.

THERE IS ALSO A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THE MAIN
THREAT WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS...WITH ISOLATED TORNADOES ALSO
POSSIBLE. THE TIMING FOR THIS WILL BE BETWEEN NOON AND 7 PM.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Feb 24, 11:15 AM EST, 1 hour 27 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1115 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

NCZ001>003-019-020-241715-
WILKES-ASHE-YADKIN-ALLEGHANY-SURRY-
1115 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
NORTHERN YADKIN...SOUTHERN SURRY...WILKES...CENTRAL ALLEGHANY AND
SOUTHEASTERN ASHE COUNTIES...

AT 1115 AM EST...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS OVER BOOMER...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
NORTH WILKESBORO...
ELKIN...
WILKESBORO...
FAIRVIEW...
AND JONESVILLE.

THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO AND
TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS...FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

LAT...LON 3608 8139 3639 8149 3653 8096 3630 8045
      3626 8045 3603 8106 3604 8120 3601 8129
TIME...MOT...LOC 1615Z 215DEG 35KT 3609 8126

JH

Special weather statement, Feb 24, 11:34 AM EST, 1 hour 8 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1134 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

NCZ002>004-VAZ012-013-015>017-032-241730-
ALLEGHANY-SURRY-STOKES-WYTHE-FLOYD-CARROLL-PULASKI-PATRICK-GRAYSON-
1134 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT
NORTHERN SURRY...WESTERN STOKES...NORTHERN ALLEGHANY...WESTERN
PATRICK...SOUTHEASTERN PULASKI...SOUTHEASTERN GRAYSON...SOUTHWESTERN
FLOYD...EAST CENTRAL WYTHE...CITY OF GALAX AND CARROLL COUNTIES...

AT 1133 AM EST...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WAS ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM INDEPENDENCE TO NEAR MOUNTAIN VIEW...AND MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS ALONG WITH
VERY HEAVY RAINFALL.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
MOUNT AIRY...
GALAX...
FLAT ROCK...
HILLSVILLE...
AND SPARTA.

THESE STORMS MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO AND
TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS...FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

LAT...LON 3649 8091 3644 8127 3646 8128 3665 8112
      3707 8067 3682 8029 3627 8041
TIME...MOT...LOC 1633Z 211DEG 44KT 3660 8113 3566 8134

JH

Local storm report, Feb 24, 12:26 PM EST, 16 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1226 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1206 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 NW BOOMER             36.08N 81.27W
02/24/2016                   WILKES             NC   911 CALL CENTER

            911 CALL CENTER REPORTS MULTIPLE TREES DOWN ALONG BOOMER
            ROAD. TIME RADAR ESTIMATED.

&&

JMORROW

Local storm report, Feb 24, 12:33 PM EST, 9 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1233 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1206 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 W NORTH WILKESBORO    36.16N 81.19W
02/24/2016                   WILKES             NC   911 CALL CENTER

            911 CALL CENTER REPORTS TREES DOWN ALONG CONGO ROAD NEAR
            THE INTERSECTION OF CRYSEL RD.

&&

JMORROW

Local storm report, Feb 24, 12:38 PM EST, 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1238 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1145 AM     TSTM WND DMG     5 ESE GLADE VALLEY      36.46N 80.97W
02/24/2016                   SURRY              NC   911 CALL CENTER

            SEVERAL LARGE BRANCHES DOWN AND DIME SIZED HAIL.

&&

LAUREN

Local storm report, Feb 24, 12:40 PM EST, 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1240 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1230 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 ENE DOBSON            36.40N 80.65W
02/24/2016                   SURRY              NC   POST OFFICE

            MAIL CARIER REPORTS SEVERAL LARGE BRANCHES LARGER THAN
            THE SIZE OF HER WRIST DOWN ALONG SIMPSON MILL ROAD.

&&

JMORROW

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 52 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:43 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

19 thunderstorm wind, 6 hail, 3 tornado, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Patrick

When: February 24, 12:42 PM EST to 12:48 PM EST
Where: Patrick County, 0.55 mi E of Ararat
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.600, -80.510

Tornado, Patrick

When: February 24, 12:45 PM EST to 12:47 PM EST
Where: Patrick County, 0.9 mi E of Ararat to 1.95 mi NE of Ararat
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.4 mi
Path width: 800 yd
Property damage: $205,000
Crop damage: $140,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.599, -80.504

This tornado occurred in the Ararat area of Patrick County. The tornado touched down near the end of epperson lane and continued across Ararat Highway where about a half-dozen homes had minor roof damage. The tornado proceeded across pond road where a mobile home was blown off its foundation and further tree damage occurred.

The tornado was on the ground for less than 2 miles but at its peak was half a mile wide. Patrick County Emergency Management said that a total of 22 homes were damaged and one completely destroyed. Several outbuildings and hundreds of trees were blown down by the storm. No injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Floyd

When: February 24, 12:58 PM EST
Where: Floyd County, 2.78 mi E of Shelors Mill
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.865, -80.330

A power line was blown by thunderstorm winds near Fairview Church Rd. and Route 8.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: February 24, 1:00 PM EST
Where: Montgomery County, 0.93 mi SSE of Prices Fork
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.207, -80.496

Thunderstorm winds brought down a tree on Prices Fork Road near McCoy Road.

Strong Wind, Bland

When: February 24, 1:00 PM EST
Where: Bland forecast zone
Measured: 40 kt (46 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.134, -81.130 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A citizen reported a sign at the Kangaroo Gas Station had been blown out by strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: February 24, 1:10 PM EST
Where: Montgomery County, 2.14 mi SSW of Rogers
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.070, -80.410

A tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds on Union Valley Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: February 24, 1:55 PM EST
Where: Henry County, 0.55 mi W of Collinsville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.720, -79.910

Thunderstorm winds blew down two trees a house in Collinsville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: February 24, 2:15 PM EST
Where: Henry County, 1.37 mi WNW of Chatmoss
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.675, -79.804

Thunderstorm winds knocked down a tree, which blocked A.P. Hill Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bedford

When: February 24, 2:30 PM EST
Where: Bedford County, Stewartsville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.270, -79.800

A small barn was severely damaged by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pittsylvania

When: February 24, 2:44 PM EST
Where: Pittsylvania County, Dry Fork
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.750, -79.420

Several large trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds.

Hail, Pittsylvania

When: February 24, 2:45 PM EST
Where: Pittsylvania County, 2.16 mi NE of Weal
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.840, -79.440

Hail, Pittsylvania

When: February 24, 2:46 PM EST
Where: Pittsylvania County, Chatham
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.820, -79.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Pittsylvania

When: February 24, 2:50 PM EST
Where: Pittsylvania County, 2.15 mi SSE of Chatham
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.790, -79.390

Broadcast Media reported that multiple trees and power lines were blown down by thunderstorm winds on Route 29.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pittsylvania

When: February 24, 3:09 PM EST
Where: Pittsylvania County, Java
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.830, -79.230

Several trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds in the Java area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pittsylvania

When: February 24, 3:15 PM EST
Where: Pittsylvania County, 0.69 mi S of Kentuck
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.640, -79.300

Several trees and power lines were blown down by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pittsylvania

When: February 24, 3:19 PM EST
Where: Pittsylvania County, Glenwood
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.570, -79.330

Thunderstorm winds brought down power lines and poles along Mountain Hill Rd.

Hail, Halifax

When: February 24, 3:25 PM EST
Where: Halifax County, 1.38 mi S of Leda
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.880, -79.080

Aside from the ping pong ball size hail, several 3-4 branches were snapped off of trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pittsylvania

When: February 24, 3:26 PM EST
Where: Pittsylvania County, 1.75 mi W of Ringgold
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.602, -79.331

Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree on Wilkerson Road.

Tornado, Campbell

When: February 24, 3:27 PM EST to 3:28 PM EST
Where: Campbell County, 3.13 mi E of Mike to 3.53 mi ENE of Mike
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.43 mi
Path width: 125 yd
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.228, -78.864

The tornado touched down in Campbell County, downing several trees. It only remained in the county for a brief time before passing into Appomattox County where it strengthened to an EF-3.

Tornado, Appomattox

When: February 24, 3:28 PM EST to 3:44 PM EST
Where: Appomattox County, 3.98 mi E of Spring Mills to 5.19 mi NNE of Hixburg
Rating: EF3
Path length: 16.89 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 7 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $11 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.232, -78.858

A tornado touched down just outside Appomattox county in Campbell county, then traveled 16 miles northeast across Appomattox county. At its peak, this tornado reached EF-3 intensity, which was the first EF-3 tornado or stronger in the month of February in the NWS Blacksburg forecast area. For Appomattox County, this was only the third tornado on record since 1950, and the only tornado rated EF-3 or higher.

The tornado passed just southeast of the town of Appomattox, impacting the community of Evergreen before lifting near Holiday Lake State Park. The fatality and all the injuries occurred in Evergreen, when the tornado was at its greatest intensity.

Thirty structures were completely destroyed and 160 others were damaged, mostly in the Evergreen area. There were also 7 injuries and 1 fatality from this tornado. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When: February 24, 3:45 PM EST
Where: Halifax County, 4.18 mi S of Barksdale
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.560, -79.180

Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When: February 24, 3:47 PM EST
Where: Halifax County, 3.33 mi W of Boyds Store
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.550, -79.130

Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When: February 24, 4:00 PM EST
Where: Halifax County, 0.69 mi S of Dudley
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.790, -78.900

Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree, which brought down power lines.

Hail, Buckingham

When: February 24, 4:12 PM EST
Where: Buckingham County, 4.09 mi NNE of Curdsville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.470, -78.410

Hail, Buckingham

When: February 24, 4:12 PM EST
Where: Buckingham County, 1.38 mi S of Dillwyn
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.510, -78.450

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When: February 24, 4:17 PM EST
Where: Halifax County, 1.31 mi ESE of Riverdale
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.670, -78.860

Thuderstorm winds knocked down several trees and blew a metal roof blown off an outbuilding on Poderosa Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Charlotte

When: February 24, 4:30 PM EST
Where: Charlotte County, 0.73 mi WSW of Mossingford
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.965, -78.641

Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree on Saxekey Road near Mossing Ford Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Charlotte

When: February 24, 4:32 PM EST
Where: Charlotte County, Drakes Branch
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.000, -78.600

Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree on Highway 59 near Drakes Branch.

Thunderstorm Wind, Charlotte

When: February 24, 4:40 PM EST
Where: Charlotte County, 1.77 mi NW of Keysville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.070, -78.500

Thunderstorm winds blew down two trees near Briery Road.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Tornado, Appomattox	2016-02-24	78	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Direct

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
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.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Virginia in 2016 Every state in 2016 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Virginia, 2016 Warnings in Virginia, February 2016

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: 619457, 619600, 619459, 619432, 619612, 619433, 619434, 619435, 619456, 619436, 619444, 619441, 619442, 619437, 619446, 619445, 619438, 619447, 620725, 619440, 619450, 619451, 619439, 619448, 619449, 619607, 619453, 619452, 619454.