Scattered severe thunderstorms in advance of a frontal boundary produced damaging winds across portions of central 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 in advance of a frontal boundary produced damaging winds across portions of central 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 17, 2:56 PM EST, 3 hours 19 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wakefield VA 356 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A stalled frontal boundary will allow for continued showers and scattered thunderstorms across extreme SE VA and NE NC through Tuesday. A strong upper level ridge gradually builds toward the Mid Atlantic for the middle and later portion of the week... bringing a return to hot humid conditions. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM TUESDAY MORNING/... Update...Isolated to scattered showers have developed this aftn along seabreeze boundaries near the coast and along the higher terrain of the Blue Ridge Mts. Have adjusted the forecast to include mention of POPs farther west than previous forecast. Adjusted sky cover to expand farther west as well. Rest of forecast on track through this evening. Previous discussion... GOES water vapor imagery clearly shows a continued stream of moisture from the Gulf through the SE states and into far eastern VA. This moisture combined with the weak frontal boundary across SE VA has helped to allow for numerous showers for much of the morning across NE NC. Showers subsided somewhat this afternoon as the weak upper disturbance moved through. However, showers and storms are expected to redevelop later on this afternoon especially with any heating. The HRRR and other CAMS suggest the best chances for development will be close to the frontal boundary, but given that pop up showers are already developing across the Delmarva, have opted to include PoPs everywhere late this afternoon. No major changes to the current forecast thinking planned. It looks like the upper trough over the Great Lakes will generally miss the middle Atlantic. As such, there will be no major push to allow the moisture near the coast to move offshore. In fact, it looks like the frontal boundary and associated moisture may attempt to move north slightly as the trough amplifies to the west. As such, will maintain chance pops tonight across the Tidewater and NE NC tonight. Precipitable water values are only slightly above normal for this time of year, and as such do not expect any heavy rainfall, especially even if an isolated thunderstorm occurs. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... It looks like the upper trough will finally start to move east on Tuesday. Will need to maintain chance pops across SE VA/NE NC on Tuesday with the moisture continuing in advance of the trough. Will also go with isolated storms across the remainder of the area Tuesday afternoon given the upper trough axis is overhead. The trough axis passes over the area Tuesday night, with a drying trend expected on Wednesday (however a few sea breeze or bay breeze afternoon thunderstorms cannot be ruled out Wed). Big story starting Wednesday will be the return to the heat/humidity. Behind the upper trough, heights immediately build across the interior US and the middle Atlantic as the subtropical ridge extends into the south central US. As such, after a near normal temperature day on Tuesday, expect temperatures to rise to above normal with places in the low-mid 90s. There will likely be some mixing on Wednesday, so dewpoint values will most likely drop into the middle and upper 60s. So, heat index values should only rise into the upper 90s (maybe 100F in isolated spots) on Wednesday. The more significant heat index values will be Thu/Fri. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... Bermuda High settles over the central Atlantic the rest of this week as very persistent troughing continues across the Eastern Seaboard. Mid Atlantic Region remains well ensconced in a warm sector throughout the long term forecast. Expect periods of unsettled weather with showers/storms developing each aftn/evening...especially invof lee trough axis which develops Wednesday and persists through at least Saturday. Otherwise, warm and muggy conditions continue with dewpoints in the upper 60s NW to around 75F SE. Meanwhile, high temps will be in the mid-upper 90s Thu/Fri/Sat (possibly pushing 100 degrees in cntrl VA on Friday) and low-mid 90s Sunday. Lows in the 70s each night. The combination of heat and humidity will support widespread heat indices in the 100-105 range with 105-109 possible SE for Thursday through Sunday. && .AVIATION /20Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... A weak frontal boundary lingering in vicinity of the NC coast this afternoon may cause a passing shower at KORF with better shower chances a KECG into tonight. Elsewhere, expect a low chc of diurnally driven convection thru sunset. MVFR stratus and patchy fog possible late tonight, primarily along and west of the I-95 corridor where better clearing takes place. Minimal chc of aftn/evening showers/tstms will continue Tuesday and less into Wednesday. An upper level ridge will build over the Southeast Conus by Thursday/Friday with primarily dry conditions expected. && .MARINE... A weakening frontal boundary remains across cntrl VA up to Delaware Bay this aftn. Isolated to scattered showers have developed this aftn along seabreeze boundaries near the coast and may impact the waters at times through this evening. Although winds support better movement of storms today...heavy rainfall, locally gusty winds, and frequent lightning will be the primary impacts from any thunderstorm. Showers/storms become more focused over srn waters tonight into Tuesday as an upper level trough digs over the coastal plain of NC with sufficient shortwave energy present to support thunderstorms. Upper trough shifts far enough ewd to bring overall precip to an end by Wed morning. Otherwise, the Bermuda High settles over the cntrl Atlantic as upper level troughing persists over the Eastern Seaboard. Expect periods of unsettled weather and generally south winds aob 15kt through the end of the forecast period (Fri night). Seas 2-3ft. Waves 1-2ft. && .AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. NC...None. VA...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS...AJZ/MRD NEAR TERM...BMD/MRD SHORT TERM...MRD LONG TERM...BMD AVIATION...AJZ/JDM MARINE...BMD
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wakefield VA 356 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2017 MDZ021>025-NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>090-092- 093-095>100-509>525-182000- Dorchester-Wicomico-Somerset-Inland Worcester-Maryland Beaches- Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck- Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck-Fluvanna-Prince Edward- Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Mecklenburg-Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia- Powhatan-Westmoreland-Richmond-Northumberland-Lancaster-Brunswick- Dinwiddie-Prince George-Charles City-New Kent-Gloucester-Middlesex- Mathews-Greensville-Sussex-Surry-James City-Southampton- Isle of Wight-Norfolk/Portsmouth-Suffolk-Chesapeake-Virginia Beach- 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-York-Newport News- Hampton/Poquoson- 356 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, northeast North Carolina, central Virginia, east central Virginia, eastern Virginia, north central Virginia, south central Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Dangerous heat and humidity is expected later in the week. Heat index values are expected to rise to 105 or greater Thursday through Sunday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
627 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017
VAZ064-511-172300-
Western Hanover-Caroline-
627 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL CAROLINE AND
NORTHWESTERN HANOVER COUNTIES...
At 626 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Ladysmith, or 9
miles southwest of Milford. the storm is nearly stationary.
Wind gusts in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm.
Rainfall amounts of up to 1 inch are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Bowling Green, Milford, Ladysmith, Chilesburg, Golansville, Villboro,
Hewlett, Penola, Beaverdam, Nancy Wrights Corner, Cedar Fork, Ruther
Glen, Woodford and Cedon.
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.
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.
LAT...LON 3792 7734 3791 7769 3797 7771 3801 7769
3801 7767 3799 7766 3799 7764 3813 7749
3814 7735
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 161DEG 2KT 3797 7753
44Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
627 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017
VAZ048-062-509-172300-
Goochland-Fluvanna-Western Louisa-
627 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN GOOCHLAND AND
FLUVANNA COUNTIES...
At 626 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Fork Union,
moving northeast at 5 mph.
Wind gusts in excess of 40 mph, very heavy rainfall, and pea size
hail are possible with this storm.
In addition...Rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Palmyra, Fork Union, Lake Monticello, Columbia, Ferncliff, Kents
Store, Troy, Shores, Central Plains, Bremo Bluff, Cohasset, Tabscott,
Hardware, Wilmington, Cunningham, Nahor, Dixie, Stage Junction, Zion
Crossroads and Antioch.
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.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3791 7838 3801 7827 3793 7804 3791 7806
3789 7803 3784 7801 3774 7813 3775 7816
3775 7818 3769 7824 3769 7826 3771 7829
3773 7837 3774 7842 3778 7848
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 220DEG 5KT 3781 7825
BUTNERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
628 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017
VAZ521-522-172300-
Western Essex-Eastern Essex-
628 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL ESSEX COUNTY...
At 628 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Millers Tavern,
or near Tappahannock. the storm is nearly stationary.
Wind gusts in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm.
Rainfall amounts of up to 1 inch are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Tappahannock, Dunnsville, Mount Landing, Brays Fork, Rexburg and
Dunbrooke.
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.
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.
LAT...LON 3795 7689 3792 7684 3785 7681 3784 7701
3786 7702 3786 7703 3788 7704 3788 7702
3790 7703 3791 7702 3793 7703 3793 7706
3796 7707 3796 7706 3797 7688
TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 161DEG 2KT 3789 7695
44Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
635 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017
VAZ064-511-172300-
Western Hanover-Caroline-
635 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017
...A THUNDERSTORM WITH HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL CAROLINE
AND NORTHWESTERN HANOVER COUNTIES...
At 634 PM EDT, a thunderstorm with heavy rain was located near
Ladysmith, or 14 miles west of Milford. the storm is nearly
stationary.
Wind gusts in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with
this storm. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Bowling Green, Milford, Ladysmith, Chilesburg, Golansville, Villboro,
Hewlett, Penola, Beaverdam, Nancy Wrights Corner, Cedar Fork, Ruther
Glen, Woodford and Cedon.
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.
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.
LAT...LON 3792 7735 3792 7770 3795 7771 3800 7769
3801 7768 3799 7766 3799 7764 3812 7750
3814 7736
TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 183DEG 2KT 3799 7762
44Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
655 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017
VAZ048-061-062-509-510-172330-
Goochland-Fluvanna-Western Louisa-Cumberland-Eastern Louisa-
655 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN LOUISA...
NORTHEASTERN CUMBERLAND...NORTHWESTERN GOOCHLAND AND EASTERN FLUVANNA
COUNTIES...
At 654 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Fife, or near
Hadensville, moving east at 10 mph.
Wind gusts in excess of 40 mph, very heavy rainfall, and half inch
hail are possible with this storm.
In addition...Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Hadensville, Palmyra, Fork Union, Columbia, Gum Spring, Fife,
Ferncliff, Kents Store, Duncan, Orchid, Dixie, Sandy Hook, Stage
Junction, Caledonia, Elk Hill, Yanceyville, Georges Tavern, Tabscott,
Othma and Carysbrook.
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.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3768 7821 3777 7827 3787 7827 3792 7820
3796 7811 3796 7791 3786 7781 3773 7783
3767 7800
TIME...MOT...LOC 2254Z 258DEG 10KT 3781 7809
BUTNERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
715 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017
VAZ061-062-069-172345-
Goochland-Powhatan-Cumberland-
715 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN CUMBERLAND...
SOUTHWESTERN GOOCHLAND AND NORTHWESTERN POWHATAN COUNTIES...
At 714 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Lakeside
Village, or 11 miles southeast of Fork Union. the storm is nearly
stationary.
Wind gusts in excess of 40 mph, very heavy rain, and pea size hail
are possible with this storm.
In addition...Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Fife, Trenholm, Lakeside Village, Duncan, Hatchers, Rock Castle,
Ashby, Oak Forest, Provost, Three Square, Irwin, Clinton, Tamworth,
Elk Hill, Whiteville, Michaux, West View, Grays Siding, Georges
Tavern and Lake Powhatan.
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.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3764 7825 3768 7824 3772 7822 3776 7812
3777 7798 3772 7789 3763 7789 3755 7797
3752 7805 3749 7819 3751 7824 3753 7827
3757 7829
TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 231DEG 3KT 3766 7811
BUTNERThe Sterling radar (KLWX), 115 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:16 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were downed on Bumpass Road and Green Coral Road.
Multiple trees were downed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, July 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: 716250, 716251.