An upper level storm system rotating around a broad area of low pressure anchored across the Great Lakes pushed through the area on May 31st, spurring several thunderstorms across the northern Piedmont of North Carolina. These storms produced fairly extensive wind damage, toppling trees and power-lines resulting in thousands without power.
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 RNK wrote it up.
An upper level storm system rotating around a broad area of low pressure anchored across the Great Lakes pushed through the area on May 31st, spurring several thunderstorms across the northern Piedmont of North Carolina. These storms produced fairly extensive wind damage, toppling trees and power-lines resulting in thousands without power.
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 May 31, 2:13 PM EST, 3 hours 9 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 313 PM EDT Wed May 31 2017 .SYNOPSIS... Weak front moves southeast of us by Thursday morning with high pressure keeping dry weather into most of Friday. A backdoor front enters northern Virginia Saturday, then stalls across the mid-Atlantic into Sunday before next cold front moves in Sunday night. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 300 PM EDT Wednesday... Two narrow lines of showers and storms this afternoon ahead of a front and along outflow boundary, but mainly within a region of weaker instability and dynamics per mesoanalysis. So at the moment nothing more than garden variety showers and storms. As the storms move further east, the instability increases a little as does 0-6km bulk shear, but overall not expecting widespread severe threat. Thinking now is an isolated hail or wind damage threat mainly east of a Lynchburg to Triad NC line, and even more so further east and south. High-res solutions continue to have variability in coverage with latest HRRR showing best coverage this afternoon from the New River Valley south into the NC foothills, then weakening it further east with a few more showers erupting ahead of another sfc trough/convergence boundary over the mountains of WV around dusk. Most models seem to weaken and dry things out by late evening. As we head into the over the deeper moisture stays over the coastal areas, with weak high pressure moving into the upper Tennessee Valley and Ohio Valley by dawn Thursday. Should see some clearing late with drier air advecting somewhat to the mountains. Fog is questionable but with some shower activity and wet soils, may see some fog in the river valleys late. Lows tonight will range from the lower to mid 50s in the mountains, to upper 50s to around 60 east of the Blue Ridge. Thursday will be dry under high pressure with axis of broad 5h trough overhead. Anticipate plenty of sunshine, lower humidity but warm temps in the 70s mountains to lower to mid 80s east of the mountains. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... As of 250 AM EDT Wednesday... The passing of a front Wednesday night will usher in cooler temperatures to start the day Thursday. However, under dry conditions with dew points in the upper 40s to mid 50s, abundant sunshine will help push afternoon temperatures 3F-5F warmer than normal. The area will remain under the influence of an upper level trough Thursday, so a few fair weather cumulus clouds are possible in the afternoon. Any afternoon clouds will fade during the evening with high pressure settling over the region overnight. Overnight lows will be close to normal and with dew points in the 50s, it may be a good night to leave the windows open. Surface high pressure will either move east or weaken through the day, being replaced with a weak lee trough in the east. With a west wind across the mountains and low instabilities, we have lowered the PoPs Friday afternoon. Models are now forecasting a warm front to track across the Ohio Valley Friday, then north over the Mid Atlantic Friday night. This new solution would keep most of Friday dry with light showers advancing north overnight. Previous forecast were showing more diurnal convection in the afternoon, fading in the evening. Again with less rain and clouds expected Friday, we bumped up temperatures a few degrees with mid to upper 70s west and mid to upper 80s east. The warm front will move north Saturday with winds out of the southwest. Both heat and humidity will increase with afternoon temperatures warming to near 80F across the mountains and upper 80s east into the piedmont. Instabilities will also increase through the day with scattered afternoon convection likely. Decaying diurnal convection's outflow will keep convection going deep into the evening. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Wednesday... Cold front approaches early Monday which should assist in generating additional showers and thunderstorms during the day but front should advance steadily across the CWA limiting chances for heavy rainfall. A few severe storms possible under this scenario depending on timing and other mesoscale factors. The long-wave pattern early next week shows an unseasonable upper low/trough over the northeastern U.S. with ridging back over the the high plains with several lower amplitude waves riding eastward from parent upper low over the Gulf of Alaska. This pattern should result in mainly west to northwest flow across our CWA with the main frontal boundary well to our south along the Gulf and southeast coast. Would not be favorable for much severe or heavy rain although cool air aloft and daytime heating could yield some pulse storms. Temps will be cooler than seasonal norms with highs 60s to 70s and lows in 50s to possibly even a few upper 40s by mid-week. && .AVIATION /19Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 125 PM EDT Wednesday... Generally looking for VFR conditions through the TAF valid period. Convection this afternoon will be widely scattered and not enough coverage to have it tafs main fm group, but keep VCTS in per increasing instability. However, some showers will move into the LWB airport between 18-19z, but weaken. Clearing after 00-03z. Cannot rule out a brief period of MVFR vsbys at BCB late tonight with river fog though drier airmass may restrict that. Extended Aviation Discussion... VFR conditions are expected Thursday and Friday with little to no convection. A stronger system is expected to arrive for the weekend-Monday with widespread showers, thunderstorms, and sub- VFR conditions for at least some periods of time. The other exception to VFR conditions will be any late night valley/river fog, or in areas that receive late day rain. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...WP NEAR TERM...WP SHORT TERM...PC LONG TERM...PC AVIATION...JH/RAB/WP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 344 PM EDT Wed May 31 2017 NCZ004>006-VAZ032>035-043>047-058-059-011945- Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry- Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte- 344 PM EDT Wed May 31 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Isolated severe storms possible through early evening. Marginally severe hail and damaging winds are the main threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ001>003-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-WVZ042>044-507-508-011945- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes-Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland- Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig- Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Mercer-Summers-Monroe- Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 344 PM EDT Wed May 31 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .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.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1245 PM EDT WED MAY 31 2017
WVZ507-508-311745-
Western Greenbrier-Eastern Greenbrier-
1245 PM EDT WED MAY 31 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
CENTRAL GREENBRIER COUNTY...
At 1244 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Bingham,
moving east at 45 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Rainelle...
Rupert...
Quinwood...
Renick...
and Neola.
LAT...LON 3811 8036 3805 8027 3804 8021 3804 8016
3805 8012 3793 8012 3793 8080 3795 8081
3799 8077 3799 8079 3802 8080 3804 8083
3806 8080 3805 8084 3808 8089 3810 8088
3808 8071 3820 8053 3820 8036
TIME...MOT...LOC 1644Z 267DEG 41KT 3805 8081
WPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
419 PM EDT WED MAY 31 2017
NCZ005-006-VAZ044-058-312115-
Rockingham-Caswell-Halifax-Pittsylvania-
419 PM EDT WED MAY 31 2017
...THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL ROCKINGHAM...CASWELL...
SOUTHEASTERN PITTSYLVANIA AND SOUTHWESTERN HALIFAX COUNTIES AND THE
CITY OF DANVILLE...
At 418 PM EDT, radar indicated thunderstorms extending from Westover
Hills to Ruffin. Movement was east at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and heavy downpours are possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Danville...
Yanceyville...
Bethel...
Turbeville...
and Providence.
LAT...LON 3640 7962 3667 7942 3664 7871 3659 7871
3656 7874 3654 7873 3654 7914 3630 7915
TIME...MOT...LOC 2018Z 278DEG 23KT 3661 7946 3647 7956
MBSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
455 PM EDT WED MAY 31 2017
NCZ001-002-VAZ009-015-312145-
Ashe-Alleghany-Grayson-Smyth-
455 PM EDT WED MAY 31 2017
...A THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN ALLEGHANY AND NORTHERN
ASHE COUNTIES IN NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...SOUTH CENTRAL SMYTH
AND SOUTHWESTERN GRAYSON COUNTIES IN SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA...
At 454 PM EDT, a thunderstorm was located near Whitetop, moving east
at 30 mph.
Winds around 40 mph and locally heavy rainfall are possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Lansing...
Whitetop...
Mouth Of Wilson...
Troutdale...
and Volney.
LAT...LON 3656 8169 3657 8169 3657 8168 3659 8168
3661 8165 3662 8162 3663 8160 3664 8161
3664 8162 3671 8166 3671 8119 3644 8122
3652 8171 3653 8171
TIME...MOT...LOC 2054Z 275DEG 26KT 3662 8173
MBSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
527 PM EDT WED MAY 31 2017
NCZ003-004-VAZ032-043-312230-
Stokes-Surry-Henry-Patrick-
527 PM EDT WED MAY 31 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN SURRY...NORTHERN
STOKES...NORTHWESTERN HENRY AND PATRICK COUNTIES AND THE NORTHERN
CITY OF MARTINSVILLE...
At 526 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms extended from near Mabry Mill to
Ararat. Movement was east at 15 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and very heavy rainfall are possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Martinsville...
Mount Airy...
Stuart...
Ararat...
and Spencer.
LAT...LON 3654 8065 3656 8061 3657 8061 3666 8050
3665 8049 3669 8046 3679 8033 3679 8004
3678 8001 3679 8003 3679 7973 3644 8017
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 276DEG 14KT 3674 8035 3659 8054
MBSSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 556 PM EDT WED MAY 31 2017 NCZ003-004-312230- Stokes-Surry- 556 PM EDT WED MAY 31 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN SURRY AND WESTERN STOKES COUNTIES... At 556 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Woodville, moving east at 25 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and very heavy rainfall are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Mount Airy... Flat Rock... Pilot Mountain... Danbury... and Francisco. LAT...LON 3643 8073 3655 8063 3646 8017 3629 8030 TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 281DEG 21KT 3646 8053 MBS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
619 PM EDT WED MAY 31 2017
VAZ007-009>011-WVZ042-044-312300-
Tazewell-Giles-Bland-Smyth-Mercer-Monroe-
619 PM EDT WED MAY 31 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT CENTRAL GILES...NORTH CENTRAL
SMYTH...TAZEWELL...BLAND...MERCER AND SOUTHWESTERN MONROE COUNTIES...
At 618 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms extended from near Wenonah...
through Gary...to near Glen Burke. Movement was east at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph...pea size hail...and heavy downpours are
possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Bluefield...
Bland...
Princeton...
Richlands...
and Tazewell.
LAT...LON 3717 8187 3720 8176 3724 8174 3720 8168
3721 8156 3726 8150 3727 8142 3742 8131
3742 8128 3746 8131 3751 8122 3753 8121
3749 8095 3743 8086 3747 8083 3742 8052
3720 8088 3692 8148 3703 8182 3714 8190
TIME...MOT...LOC 2218Z 287DEG 28KT 3748 8125 3735 8147 3714 8191
MBSThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 68 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:20 UTC.
13 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm winds downed several trees near the intersection of Moore Springs Road and Hanging Rock Park Road.
Outflow winds from a strong thunderstorm downed a tree near the intersection of North Carolina Highway 8 and Highway 89.
Thunderstorm winds downed two trees near the intersection of West Huner Street and South Wilson Street. A third tree was blown down nearby in a backyard along K Fork Road near the Stokes County border.
Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees near the intersection of US 220 and Ellisboro Road.
Thunderstorm winds resulted in several uprooted trees near the community of Madison.
Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees along Buckhorn Trail, including a few trees that were snapped over 30 feet in the air.
Thunderstorm winds downed a swath of trees in the general vicinity of the interchange of US 158 and Iron Works Road.
Thunderstorm winds causing numerous 12 inch in diameter or greater trees to fall across portions of a rail road track, impeding travel near the Turner Drive Crossing.
Thunderstorm winds resulted in a tree down near the intersection of Iron Works Road and Monroeton Road.
Thunderstorm winds downed several trees and power-lines along Cook Forest Road.
Thunderstorm winds resulted in large tree limbs blown down just south of Camp Springs. Pea to dime size hail, along with nearly 2 inches of rain also fell during the storm.
Thunderstorm winds resulted in a downed tree near the intersection of Boone Road and Underwood Road.
Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees along Stoney Creek Mountain Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, May 2017
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: 699243, 699244, 699247, 699245, 699248, 699249, 699396, 699380, 699390, 699388, 699403, 699398, 699393, 699384, 699382.