Scattered severe thunderstorms associated with a cold front produced damaging winds and large hail across portions of central, south central, and southeast 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 and large hail across portions of central, south central, and southeast 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 Jul 19, 12:47 PM EST, 2 hours 8 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wakefield VA 147 PM EDT TUE JUL 19 2016 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front moves slowly south across the Mid Atlantic States through Wednesday and then dissipates over the Carolinas later in the week. High pressure builds south into the area tonight and Wednesday. High pressure over the Southeast states becomes the dominant weather feature late in the week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... The weather map this morning had an east to west cold front oriented across Maryland to the Ohio Valley. High pressure was over the Great Lakes. In the upper levels...a weak zonal flow and some capping was holding off convection across the area. The cold front will be rather diffuse today and become better defined while moving south into North Carolina tonight and Wednesday morning as high pressure builds to the north of the region. An instability axis with mixed layer CAPEs over 2k develops over northeast North Carolina this afternoon. Dry air and weakening inversion should inhibit significant convection at that time. A short wave moving south from the Great Lakes will steepen lapse rates from north to south late this afternoon and this evening. Have highest POPs over the Piedmont by mid afternoon with likely POPs appearing across the Interstate 95 Corridor and in the 5 PM to 8 PM time frame and moving into southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina after sunset. The Storm prediction Center has most of the area away from the coast in a slight risk for severe thunderstorms with the main threat being damaging winds. Strengthening lapse rates will be the primary contributor to expected instability. Abundant sunshine during the first half of the day will bring high temperatures to around 90 degrees inland and a few degrees cooler near the coast. Dew points have lowered a few degrees from yesterday's values eliminating the potential for heat index issues. Convection shifts to the southeast and moving out of the area by shortly after Midnight. NAM12 suggests some upper level impulses and left over instability warranting low chance POPs through the pre-dawn hours. Low temperatures are expected to be around 70 degrees Wednesday morning. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Trough axis pushes offshore Wednesday as the upper level ridge amplifies over the nation's mid section. Surface high pressure builds into New England as the cold front washes out over the region. Expect enough forcing and moisture for a mention of slight chance to low end chance POP's across the far southeast forecast area for diurnally driven showers and thunderstorms Wednesday. Weak flow may also result in seabreeze convection over the Eastern Shore to southeast Virginia. Otherwise, cooler, with highs in the mid 80's under a mostly sunny to partly cloudy sky. High pressure settles over the Mid Atlantic region Wednesday night with dry conditions and a clear sky expected. Lows in the mid to upper 60's inland to low 70's near the coast. Surface high pressure slides offshore Thursday as the upper level ridge builds eastward. Dry conditions continue with highs in the upper 80's. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... Long term period will feature mainly dry conditions and above normal temps. For Thursday night/Friday, dry wx expected as surface high pressure slides just offshore and a broad upper- level ridge slides east into the eastern Conus. Temps max out in the lo-mid 90s. For the weekend, a thermal trough will hold in place over the Mid Atlc with weak w/nw flow aloft. Expect hi temps in the mid/upr 90s both days, and with dewpoints in the lo/mid 70s, afternoon heat indices will be near 105f (heat advsry criteria). 10-20% chances for rain Sat increase to 20-30% Sun. Continued hot into Mon (highs up to the mid 90s) with a 30% chance for rain as stronger mid- level energy approaches the region. && .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Mainly VFR conditions thus far this afternoon with sct-bkn ceilings developing between 4-5 kft. Convection was developing on the east side of the mountains and across the western piedmont moving southeast. Forcing from an upper level wave will support the development of more storms as the system progresses east. This would place showers and storms into RIC around 22z-01z. Have placed a tempo group in the RIC TAF. Storms will result in brief periods of IFR visbilities and gusty winds of 25-35 kt. For now it appears the best chances for showers and storms remains south of SBY, so have left mention out of the SBY TAF for now. The forcing pushes southeast to PHF and ORF from 23z-02z with showers and storms possible at both location along with brief periods of IFR visibilities and gusts winds similar to RIC. ECG will experience the storms a little later...mainly after 00z. Due to the upper level support the storms should be able to sustain themselves into northeast NC and may not weaken much with sunset. some lingering showers/tstms are possible over northeast NC after 06Z. In the wake of the showers there is the the potential for patchy fog and/or low clouds through 12Z/Wed with some IFR possible at all TAF sites. Confidence is low and have held off on putting IFR conditions in the TAFS, but IFR conditions are possible during the early morning hours Wednesday. OUTLOOK...Southern areas may see widely scattered to isolated afternoon tstms again Wednesday. Otherwise, mainly dry conditions are expected for the latter half of the week. && .MARINE... Current conditions now have winds that average around 5-10 Kt across the waters with the stronger winds now well off the coast as tstms have pushed farther offshore. Later today, a cold front weakens as it approaches from the nw, allowing NW winds to shift to the E/NE at only 5-10 Kt by this afternoon/evening. Lack of cold air advection and weak gradient winds will keep winds sub- SCA (to avg 10-15 KT) in the wake of the front on Wed. For Wed aftn/Thu...winds avg aob 10 kt with weak sfc hi pressure in the vicinity. Waves remain 1-2 ft with seas 2-3 ft. Winds increase to 10-20 Kt from the SSW Fri aftn/Fri night ahead of next frontal boundary. && .AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. NC...None. VA...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS...SAM/LSA NEAR TERM...SAM/LSA SHORT TERM...SAM LONG TERM...MAS AVIATION...JAO MARINE...LKB
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 335 PM EDT TUE JUL 19 2016 MDZ021>025-NCZ012>017-030>032-VAZ075>078-095-097>100-201945- DORCHESTER-WICOMICO-SOMERSET-INLAND WORCESTER-MARYLAND BEACHES- NORTHAMPTON-HERTFORD-GATES-PASQUOTANK-CAMDEN-WESTERN CURRITUCK- BERTIE-CHOWAN-PERQUIMANS-WESTMORELAND-RICHMOND-NORTHUMBERLAND- LANCASTER-NORFOLK/PORTSMOUTH-CHESAPEAKE-VIRGINIA BEACH-ACCOMACK- 335 PM EDT TUE JUL 19 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST MARYLAND...NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...EAST CENTRAL VIRGINIA...EASTERN VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING. A FEW OF THE STORMS COULD BECOME STRONG TO SEVERE...WITH DAMAGING WINDS THE MAIN THREAT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES ARE FORECAST FOR THE UPCOMING WEEKEND. HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 100 TO 105 ARE EXPECTED FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. VAZ048-060>062-064>069-079>090-092-093-096-509>525-201945- FLUVANNA-PRINCE EDWARD-CUMBERLAND-GOOCHLAND-CAROLINE-MECKLENBURG- LUNENBURG-NOTTOWAY-AMELIA-POWHATAN-BRUNSWICK-DINWIDDIE-PRINCE GEORGE- CHARLES CITY-NEW KENT-GLOUCESTER-MIDDLESEX-MATHEWS-GREENSVILLE- SUSSEX-SURRY-JAMES CITY-SOUTHAMPTON-ISLE OF WIGHT-SUFFOLK- 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-YORK-NEWPORT NEWS- HAMPTON/POQUOSON- 335 PM EDT TUE JUL 19 2016 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 398 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL VIRGINIA...EAST CENTRAL VIRGINIA...EASTERN VIRGINIA...NORTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST 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. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH. SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING. A FEW OF THE STORMS COULD BECOME STRONG TO SEVERE...WITH DAMAGING WINDS THE MAIN THREAT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES ARE FORECAST FOR THE UPCOMING WEEKEND. HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 100 TO 105 ARE EXPECTED FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. WRS
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
225 PM EDT TUE JUL 19 2016
VAZ510-191915-
EASTERN LOUISA-
225 PM EDT TUE JUL 19 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN LOUISA COUNTY...
AT 224 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER
MINERAL...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.
WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
LOUISA...MINERAL...BUMPASS...YANCEYVILLE...FREDERICKS
HALL...PENDLETON... CUCKOO...APPLE GROVE AND LOCUST CREEK.
LAT...LON 3808 7793 3805 7775 3804 7774 3804 7775
3802 7775 3803 7773 3802 7773 3801 7769
3796 7770 3781 7777 3793 7804
TIME...MOT...LOC 1824Z 291DEG 15KT 3797 7791
SCALORASPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
317 PM EDT TUE JUL 19 2016
VAZ048-062-509-510-192000-
WESTERN LOUISA-EASTERN LOUISA-GOOCHLAND-FLUVANNA-
317 PM EDT TUE JUL 19 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT LOUISA...NORTHWESTERN GOOCHLAND
AND NORTHEASTERN FLUVANNA COUNTIES...
AT 317 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR BOSWELLS
TAVERN...OR 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF LOUISA...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND HALF INCH HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM. IN ADDITION...RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 1 INCH ARE
POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
LOUISA...MINERAL...HADENSVILLE...LAKE MONTICELLO...TROY...
FERNCLIFF...KENTS STORE...BOSWELLS TAVERN...GORDONSVILLE...
LOUISA AIRPORT...ZION CROSSROADS...PENDLETON...BYBEE...TABSCOTT...
YANCEYVILLE...VAWTER CORNER...GREEN SPRINGS...FREDERICKS HALL...
CUCKOO AND BYRD MILL.
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.
LAT...LON 3807 7825 3813 7821 3813 7818 3814 7815
3814 7812 3815 7811 3813 7805 3814 7801
3812 7798 3812 7795 3810 7791 3798 7780
3780 7801 3792 7838
TIME...MOT...LOC 1917Z 288DEG 29KT 3811 7811
JMThe Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 106 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:56 UTC.
33 thunderstorm wind, 6 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were downed on Interstate 64 near Oilville.
Trees were downed along with a power line near Louisa.
Trees were downed along Manakin Road and Dogwood Trail.
Tree was downed on Cross County Road near Interstate 64.
Half dollar size hail was reported at Tuckahoe.
Quarter size hail was reported two miles northwest of Tuckahoe.
Trees were downed on Powhite Parkway near the tolls.
Several large limbs were downed.
Numerous trees were downed in the city of Richmond, especially across the south side.
Partial roof collapse from high winds of the Latino Market on Oak Glenn Road.
Quarter size hail was reported near Bon Air.
Trees were uprooted and snapped about two miles southeast of the University of Richmond.
Large limbs were downed.
Large limbs were downed.
Tree was downed across Laburnum Avenue. Large tree limbs and branches were downed.
Trees were downed near Chippenham Parkway north of Hull Street Road.
Tree was downed on a home.
Trees were downed at Britton Road and Darbytown Road.
Tree was downed on a home in Forest Hill.
Wind gust of 50 knots (58 mph) was measured at RIC.
Quarter size hail was reported two miles south southwest of Bon Air.
Tree was downed across Southbury Avenue.
Tree was downed and blocking New Market Road. Large limbs were also downed.
Large tree was downed across Strath Road near Kinvan.
Large trees were downed in Screamersville near Enon Church and Central Avenue. Large limbs caused roof damage.
Tree was downed near Darbytown Road.
Several large limbs were downed.
Few trees were downed across the city of Colonial Heights.
Numerous trees were downed. Two trees were downed on homes. Trees were also downed on power lines.
Trees were downed along Ruffin Road at Sandy Ridge Road.
Trees were downed along Hines Road at Webb Road.
Trees were downed along Route 460 that closed a portion of the road.
Large tree branch was downed across Route 460 five miles west of Waverly.
Trees were downed along Paris Road and Dry Bread Road.
Hen egg size hail was reported. Corn field was stripped by the large hail on Beaverdam Road near Harrels Mille Pond.
Several trees were downed around Ivor.
Quarter size hail was reported.
Large tree was downed. Several branches were downed also.
Trees and power lines were downed.
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, July 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: 653077, 653079, 653084, 653111, 653055, 653056, 653085, 653087, 653088, 653120, 653064, 653090, 653112, 653113, 653114, 653115, 653076, 653093, 653100, 653123, 653067, 653117, 653116, 653103, 653106, 653118, 653107, 653110, 653119, 653109, 653125, 653128, 653131, 653134, 653072, 653136, 653075, 653137, 653139.