The combination of a cold front moving through the Mid Atlantic and Post Tropical Cyclone Matthew tracking northeast just off the North Carolina and Virginia coasts, produced heavy rain across central and south central Virginia, and the Virginia Northern Neck from Saturday, October 8th into Sunday, October 9th. Rainfall totals generally ranged from 1 inch to 6 inches.
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.
The combination of a cold front moving through the Mid Atlantic and Post Tropical Cyclone Matthew tracking northeast just off the North Carolina and Virginia coasts, produced heavy rain across central and south central Virginia, and the Virginia Northern Neck from Saturday, October 8th into Sunday, October 9th. Rainfall totals generally ranged from 1 inch to 6 inches.
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 Oct 8, 5:18 AM EST, 42 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
618 AM EDT Sat Oct 8 2016
.SYNOPSIS...
Hurricane Matthew is forecast to lift along the Southeast coast
through tonight while weakening, then drift southeast well off the
coast during Sunday. Meanwhile, a cold front will cross our
region tonight and help steer Matthew east then southeast and
away from the coast through Sunday. Cool high pressure then builds
in from the northwest early next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Early this morning, Hurricane Matthew was located just off the se
coast of SC. Areas of showers were lifting nwrd acrs NC and into
wrn and cntrl VA. Hurricane Matthew will slide NE along or just
off the SC and SE NC coasts today into tonight, resulting in
widespread rainfall occuring acrs the FA. With the storm staying
south of the local area, the main impacts from Matthew will be
heavy rain/gusty winds SE and tidal flooding along the coast.
The heaviest rainfall continues to be expected this aftn into
midday Sun acrs SE VA into NE NC, where a flash flood watch
remains in place. Highs today will range fm the upr 60s NW to the
mid to upr 70s ESE. Lows tonight in the mid 50s to mid 60s.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Storm total QPF amounts thru Sun aftn have changed very little
with the most recent model runs. Rainfall totals are expected to
range fm 0.75-1.00" acrs extrm nrn counties to between 3-7" acrs
SE VA and NE NC where the flash flood watch is in effect. The
rain will end from west to east very late tonight thru Sun aftn.
Clouds will decrease from west to east on Sun as well. Winds will
be strongest over ESE portions of the FA. Peak wind gusts are
expected to reach 35-45 mph, and up to 50 mph VA Beach/Outer
Banks Currituck. Will maintain a Wind Advisory for the VA
Tidewater and lower VA ern shr into NE NC. High pressure begins to
build into the area Sun night thru Mon for dry wx all areas and a
mainly clear sky (some additional clouds linger along the coast).
A tight pressure gradient will linger Sun aftn into Mon,
especially along the immediate coast where winds will remain
elevated. Highs on Sun in the upr 60s to near 70. Lows Sun ngt
ranging fm the mid 40s to mid 50s. Highs on Mon in the 60s Please
refer to the National Hurricane Center for the latest information
on Matthew.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
The long term period Monday night through Friday will be mainly dry
and relatively uneventful. A strong surface high will be firmly in
control on Tuesday extending from a center near Maine with a ridge
reaching southwest into the Gulf Coast States. Tropical Cyclone will
be weakening well to the east of Florida. The high retreats around
midweek and a cold front moves through from the west around
Thursday.
High temperatures in the upper 60s to lower 70s warm to the mid to
upper 70s Wednesday and Thursday then cools a few degrees on Friday.
Low temperatures in the mid 40s in the Piedmont to the mid and upper
50s southeast Tuesday morning will range through the 50s to near 60
Wednesday through Friday mornings.
&&
.AVIATION /10Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Early this morning, Hurricane Matthew was located just off the se
coast of SC. Areas of showers were lifting nwrd acrs NC and into
wrn VA. The combination of the hurricane lifting ne just off the
SC and SE NC coasts, then ene of the NC coast today into Sun
morning, will result in all taf sites deteriorating to MVFR and
IFR cigs later today into tngt as shras (+shras likely at
ORF/PHF/ECG) overspread the region.
Northeast winds will increase to 10 to 20 knots, with gusts to 30
to 40 knots possible ovr SE VA/NE NC later today and tngt.
Elsewhere, expect 10 to 15 knots.
OUTLOOK...The wx will improve slowly fm NW to SE during Sun with
rain ending ESE portions in the aftn. High pressure and fair wx
returns Sun night thru mid week.
&&
.MARINE...
Hurricane Matthew is presently located e of Savannah, GA early this
morning and is forecast to gradually make a turn to the ne today and
parallel the SC coast. A cold front is located over the Ern Great
Lakes early this morning with high pressure building across the
Midwest. The cold front will continue to push ewd today into tonight
as Matthew makes more of an easterly turn tonight off of Cape Fear,
NC. Refer to the National Hurricane Center for exact details on the
track of Matthew. The wind will remain ene today averaging 10-15kt
early and then become ne and increase to 15-20kt late as the
pressure gradient tightens with the approach of Matthew. The
pressure gradient continues to tighten tonight with the wind
increasing to 20-25kt with gusts to around 30kt, and 25-30kt with
gusts to around 35kt for portions of the Bay/Lwr James/Nrn Ocean,
and 30-40kt with gusts to around 45kt s of Cape Charles. By Sunday
morning a strong LLJ develops on the wrn flank of Matthew with sharp
pressure rises developing. This should produce a ~6hr period of
storm conditions for the ocean s of Cape Charles. Elsewhere, expect
solid gale conditions with sca conditions for the
Rappahannock/York/Upper James. As for flags, ramp up SCAs continue
today for the Mouth of the Bay and Ocean. Gale warnings begin
tonight and continue through Sunday night, with the storm warning
beginning this evening and continuing through Sunday aftn, with the
greatest threat of storm conditions Sunday morning. Seas build to
8-14ft n to 12-16ft s, along with 5-8ft waves in the Bay (locally
higher at the mouth of the Bay).
SCA conditions should persist into at least Monday for the marine
area and possibly through midweek for the ocean due to elevated
seas. Otherwise, a ne wind gradually diminishes as high pressure
builds into the region.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Tidal departures are averaging 0.5-0.8ft above normal early this
morning and this should continue through the next high tide cycle
today, with no minor flooding expected. Anomalies trend back up
this evening and Sunday, and another round of Coastal Flood
headlines have been issued. Regardless of the track of Matthew,
a strong northerly wind is expected to develop this evening into
Sunday night with tightening pressure gradient between high
pressure to the n and the tropical cyclone Matthew to the south.
Latest ESTOFS/ETSS each depict the potential for 2.0-2.5ft tidal
anomalies late tonight into Sunday from the lwr Bay to coastal se
VA/ne NC. This has the potential to produce high end minor to
moderate coastal flooding for the lwr Bay to VA Beach, with major
flooding possible for the nrn Outer Banks. A coastal flood
advisory has been issued for the early Sunday morning high tide
for areas adjacent to the lwr Bay and James River including tidal
forecast point at Sewells Point and Jamestown. The higher
astronomical tide occurs Sunday afternoon and this should combine
with the highest surge bringing the potential for moderate
flooding, with major possible for the nrn Outer Banks. A coastal
flood watch has been issued to account for this. Have opted not to
extend the watch up the James River given that the wind will be
north as opposed to ne.
High seas will build to 8-10ft nearshore by Saturday night...have
issued High Surf Advisory for VA Beach/Northern OBX. Will likely
need to add Eastern Shore Atlantic coastal zones with forecast
issuance today, with seas likely building across northern zones
later Sun into Monday.
&&
.AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...None.
NC...Flash Flood Watch through Sunday afternoon for NCZ012>017-
030>032-102.
Wind Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 2 PM EDT Sunday for
NCZ012>017-030>032-102.
Coastal Flood Watch from Sunday morning through Sunday
afternoon for NCZ102.
High Surf Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 6 AM EDT Monday
for NCZ102.
VA...Coastal Flood Advisory from 3 AM to 9 AM EDT Sunday for VAZ089-
090-093-524.
Flash Flood Watch through Sunday afternoon for VAZ087-092-093-
095>098-524-525.
Wind Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 2 PM EDT Sunday for
VAZ087-092-093-095>098-100-524-525.
Coastal Flood Watch from Sunday morning through Sunday
afternoon for VAZ095-097-098.
Coastal Flood Advisory from midnight tonight to 6 AM EDT
Sunday for VAZ095>097-525.
High Surf Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 6 AM EDT Monday
for VAZ098.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EDT this evening for ANZ634-
650-652-654-656-658.
Gale Warning from 6 PM this evening to 7 AM EDT Monday for
ANZ654.
Storm Warning from 6 PM this evening to 4 PM EDT Sunday for
ANZ656-658.
Gale Warning from midnight tonight to 4 AM EDT Monday for
ANZ630-631-650-652.
Small Craft Advisory from midnight tonight to 4 AM EDT Monday
for ANZ635-636.
Small Craft Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 4 AM EDT Monday
for ANZ637.
Gale Warning from 6 PM this evening to 4 AM EDT Monday for
ANZ632>634.
Gale Warning from 6 PM this evening to 7 PM EDT Sunday for
ANZ638.
&&
SYNOPSIS...TMG
NEAR TERM...TMG
SHORT TERM...JDM/MAS
LONG TERM...MAM/LSA
AVIATION...TMG
MARINE...AJZ
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...AKQ<!doctype html>
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</html>The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
40 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. Deatonville (1 SSE) reported 3.45 inches of rain. Ammon (1 NE) reported 3.40 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Alberta (5 N) reported 4.27 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 1 inch to 4 inches across the county. Dawn (1 S) reported 3.39 inches of rain. Burruss Corner (3 NNW) reported 2.59 inches of rain. Rappahannock Academy (2 N) reported 2.42 inches of rain. Fort A.P. Hill (1 SSW) reported 2.34 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Beach (2 WNW) reported 4.42 inches of rain. Matoaca (4 N) reported 4.16 inches of rain. Midlothian (4 SSW) reported 4.05 inches of rain. Meadowville (2 SSW) reported 4.00 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. Colonial Heights reported 2.37 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. Farmville (2 N) reported 3.90 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Walkers (1 SE) reported 4.35 inches of rain. Dinwiddie County Airport reported 4.15 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. Dunnsville (2 NNE) reported 3.69 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 1 inch to 3 inches across the county. Antioch (2 SE) reported 1.40 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. Ark (2 ENE) reported 5.14 inches of rain. Selden reported 4.74 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 1 inch to 4 inches across the county. Sabot reported 2.69 inches of rain. Tabscott reported 1.86 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. Cowie Corner (1 N) reported 4.83 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. Ashland Hanover Airport (OFP) reported 3.74 inches of rain. Highland Springs (2 NE) reported 3.38 inches of rain. Mechanicsville (2 SE) reported 2.23 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Elko reported 4.46 inches of rain. Varina reported 4.25 inches of rain. Richmond International Airport (RIC) reported 4.06 inches of rain. Sandston reported 3.44 inches of rain. Tuckahoe (1 NE) reported 2.81 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. Hopewell (1 NE) reported 3.65 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. Five Forks (2 NNW) reported 5.19 inches of rain. Centerville (1 ESE) reported 4.11 inches of rain. Lightfoot (1 WNW) reported 4.09 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. West Point reported 2.76 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. Mollusk (1 SE) reported 3.98 inches of rain. Kilmarnock (1 SW) reported 3.11 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 1 inch to 3 inches across the county. Louisa (1 NNW) reported 1.51 inches of rain. Zion Crossroads (1 NNE) reported 1.14 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Kenbridge (2 WSW) reported 3.30 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 4 to 7 inches across the county. Port Haywood reported 6.61 inches of rain. North reported 5.56 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. Clarksville reported 4.85 inches of rain. John H Kerr Dam reported 4.26 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. Stampers reported 5.27 inches of rain. Healys (1 SSE) reported 4.26 inches of rain. Remlik (1 N) reported 3.71 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Bottoms Bridge reported 4.31 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Lottsburg (2 NNE) reported 4.83 inches of rain. Byrdton (1 E) reported 1.99 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. Blackstone (4 SE) reported 3.91 inches of rain. Crewe reported 2.92 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Farmville reported 3.32 inches of rain. Elam (1 SW) reported 2.15 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Disputanta (1 ESE) reported 3.93 inches of rain. Carson (2 NE) reported 3.37 inches of rain. Garysville (1 ENE) reported 3.34 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Kennard (2 ENE) reported 3.65 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Downtown Richmond (2 NNW) reported 2.70 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. Scotland (1 WSW) reported 5.02 inches of rain. Claremont reported 3.59 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. Wakefield reported 5.86 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the county. Montross (5 ESE) reported 2.77 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the county. Williamsburg (1 ENE) reported 5.51 inches of rain.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 7 inches across the county. Tabb reported 7.59 inches of rain. Grafton (1 SE) reported 4.90 inches of rain. Oaktree reported 4.85 inches of rain. Seaford reported 4.37 inches of rain. York Terrace (1 NW) reported 1.77 inches of rain.
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, October 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 663778, 663779, 663780, 663781, 663782, 663783, 663784, 663785, 663788, 663796, 663801, 663812, 663815, 663817, 663821, 663832, 663837, 663844, 663852, 663853, 663854, 663855, 663856, 663858, 663863, 663869, 663876, 663880, 663882, 663884, 663887, 663891, 663897, 663901, 663907, 663913, 663914, 663916, 663918, 663919.