A stationary front was draped north of the Ohio River, causing deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to pool across the central Appalachians and the Mid-Atlantic region. Scattered showers were observed passing across the region beginning shortly after sunrise, with a few thunderstorms developing during the afternoon as heating increased.
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.
A stationary front was draped north of the Ohio River, causing deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to pool across the central Appalachians and the Mid-Atlantic region. Scattered showers were observed passing across the region beginning shortly after sunrise, with a few thunderstorms developing during the afternoon as heating increased. A few storms intensified to severe levels during early evening for brief periods of time. Widespread cloud cover limited instability, with surface-based CAPE in the 800-1200 J/Kg range. Steering winds were light, resulting in slow moving cells which produced locally heavy rainfall.
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 Jul 4, 2:02 PM EST, 2 hours 58 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 302 PM EDT Tue Jul 4 2017 .SYNOPSIS... An upper level disturbance over the Tennessee Valley will move east crossing our region tonight. A backdoor front over southern Pennsylvania will drift south toward our area Wednesday before lifting back north as a warm front Thursday. The combination of todays upper level disturbance and additional waves of energy along the front Wednesday and Thursday will result in an increasing threat for showers and thunderstorms for the next several days. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... AS of 301 PM EDT Tuesday... Happy 4th of July! Shortwave over the Tennessee Valley associated with an area of showers and a few thunderstorms across eastern Kentucky and eastern Tennessee will move east- northeast this afternoon into tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop this afternoon into tonight in the warm unstable air. The spc mesoanalysis at 18z showed SBCAPE between 1000 and 2000 J/Kg are forecasted by modified 12z soundings. SPC in the Day 1 convective outlook has placed southern portions in a marginal risk for severe weather with wind being the primary threat. Also, there is a threat for localized heavy rainfall per forecast precipitable water values near 1.75 and cloud layer mean wind from 250 degrees at 10 kts. The diurnally driven thunderstorms should taper off around sunset, however there will be a lingering threat for showers tonight per the presence of the upper shortwave trough passing overhead. Considerable cloudiness with the threat for showers will continue overnight into Wednesday morning. With low level moisture and light winds, added some patches of fog overnight. Low temperatures tonight will range from the upper 50s in the mountains to around 70 degrees in the Piedmont. The passage of several upper shortwaves will deepen and establish an upper trough across the east by the end of week. High pressure over New England wedges down the east side of the Appalachians and keeps a frontal boundary across the region. This will trigger some convection Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday evening. There is a marginal threat for severe thunderstorms mainly south and west as highlighted on Day Two convective outlook. The main threats will be damaging winds and heavy downpours. High temperatures Wednesday will range from the lower 70s in the mountains to the mid 80s in the Piedmont. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 301 PM EDT Tuesday... An upper level ridge in the western Atlantic will continue to block and slow the progress of weather system tracking east of the Mississippi Valley. This ridge will stretch westward across the Gulf states reducing the influx of moisture into the region. However, high moisture content will already be in place by the time the ridge moves over the Gulf States. Wednesday night, a surface reflection along the VA/NC border will slowly move eastward. This reflection will keep some showers over the area through the early morning hours. This system moves out to sea on Thursday. A significant short waves and associated cold front is forecast to move slowly across the Midwest Thursday and over the southern Ohio Valley Thursday night. A second cold front will track over the upper Midwest Thursday night and help push this short wave across the mountains Friday morning and east of the piedmont during the afternoon. This wave is able to pick up speed because the blocking ridge is sinking southward Thursday night and Friday. Since this wave is coming through during the morning, the severe weather threat will be greatly reduced. However, the cold pool comes over the area with a fair decent jet. Therefore, we can not rule out gusty winds or hail for Friday. The mountains are less likely to see severe storms Friday morning. The piedmont may see storms getting stronger in the afternoon, but the max potential for severe chances will be east across the coastal piedmont late Friday afternoon. Close to normal temperatures are expected through Friday with low to mid 80s west of the Blue Ridge and upper 80s to lower 90s east. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 240 PM EDT Tuesday... The cold front that comes across Friday will take bulk of the moisture and instabilities with it. Another front will slide across the region on Saturday. With limited moisture, this second front may produce a few hundredth of an inch of rain across the mountains, mainly along western slopes. Showers will fade as they approach the Blue Ridge then jump to a lee trough over the piedmont during the afternoon. With good mixing and low instabilities, we will only carry showers for this frontal passage. Cool and dry high pressure will move over the region Sunday and Monday. The chance for thunderstorms begin to increase on Tuesday. Temperatures will fall a few degrees below normal following the second frontal passage Saturday. Muggy conditions will also be replaced with comfortable humidity levels with dew points falling into the upper 50s to lower 60s over the weekend. && .AVIATION /19Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 200 PM EDT Tuesday... For the most part, cloudy, but VFR conditions can be expected during the forecast period. Exceptions being with mainly afternoon showers and thunderstorms moving through the mountains during the afternoon. Current radar indicates that precipitation is on the doorstep at both BLF and LWB. With the sun peaking out currently at BCB, causing rising temps, instability should be sufficient for a rumble of thunder when they arrive a bit later in the afternoon. For terminals east of BCB, have maintained vicinity within the TAFs due to uncertainty regarding timing and whether or not this larger system can clear the mountains. Otherwise, diurnal convection is possible for areas east of the Blue Ridge this afternoon, however has been left out of the TAFs due to the extremely isolated nature of these storms. Overnight, radiation fog can be expected through many of the mountain valleys, impacting BCB and LWB. Any fog that forms should be rather short lived and clear within an hour or two of daybreak. Winds outside of thunderstorms will be very light to calm. Extended Aviation Discussion... Flow aloft will gradually become more southwesterly for midweek favoring increasing moisture. Upstream disturbances will likely impinge upon this moisture resulting in increasing coverage of the afternoon/diurnally driven deep convection. Periods of MVFR cigs will be possible in this activity, most numerous initially closer to the NC/VA border, but likely impacting all areas as the week progresses. Late night and early morning fog can also be expected with increasing probability through the week, especially given the increasing potential for late day/evening rain at many TAF sites. Convection may become more numerous toward the end of the week as a stronger upper-level system approaches from the west. All- in-all, likely to be an unsettled week, but periods of VFR can certainly be expected. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...KK/PM NEAR TERM...KK SHORT TERM...RCS LONG TERM...RCS AVIATION...JR/PM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 312 PM EDT Tue Jul 4 2017 VAZ019-020-022>024-034-035-045>047-051915- Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Bedford-Amherst- Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham- 312 PM EDT Tue Jul 4 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, south central Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. A few strong to isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible Thursday. Very heavy rainfall could also result in localized flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ009-012-015>017-032-033-043-044-058-059-051915- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Smyth-Wythe-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Patrick-Franklin-Henry- Pittsylvania-Halifax-Charlotte- 312 PM EDT Tue Jul 4 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few strong to isolated severe thunderstorms containing damaging winds and large hail will be possible today. Very heavy rainfall could also result in localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. A few strong to isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible again Wednesday and Thursday. Very heavy rainfall could also result in localized flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ007-010-011-013-014-018-WVZ042>044-507-508-051915- Tazewell-Bland-Giles-Pulaski-Montgomery-Craig-Mercer-Summers-Monroe- Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 312 PM EDT Tue Jul 4 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Thunderstorms this afternoon will have very heavy rainfall which could result in localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. A few strong to isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible Wednesday and Thursday. Very heavy rainfall could also result in localized flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
244 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
VAZ058-041945-
Halifax-
244 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTH CENTRAL HALIFAX COUNTY
through 345 PM EDT...
At 243 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Cluster
Springs, moving southeast at 10 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm. Very heavy rainfall can also be expected with this activity,
which could lead to localized flooding.
Locations impacted include...
Virgilina...
Hitesburg...
and Cluster Springs.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3660 7872 3659 7871 3659 7872 3658 7872
3658 7873 3656 7874 3654 7873 3654 7883
3661 7893 3670 7887 3665 7871
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 304DEG 8KT 3664 7883
RABSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 354 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017 NCZ003-042100- Surry- 354 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SURRY COUNTY THROUGH 500 PM EDT... At 353 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Pine Ridge, moving east at 25 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Very heavy rainfall can also be expected with this thunderstorm. The ground in this area is saturated from recent heavy rainfall and localized flooding could result quickly. Locations impacted include... Mount Airy... Flat Rock... Dobson... Pilot Mountain... and Bottom. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. LAT...LON 3644 8094 3656 8090 3652 8044 3626 8045 TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 283DEG 20KT 3647 8070 RAB
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
529 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
VAZ016-017-042230-
Floyd-Carroll-
529 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WESTERN FLOYD AND
EASTERN CARROLL COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM EDT...
At 529 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Dugspur, moving
northeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm. Very heavy rainfall and frequent lightning can also be
expected. Localized flooding will be possible.
Locations impacted include...
Indian Valley...
Willis...
Dugspur...
Laurel Fork...
and Alum Ridge.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3683 8073 3699 8049 3681 8035 3680 8036
3680 8039 3677 8039 3676 8040 3674 8044
3675 8045 3674 8046 3667 8061
TIME...MOT...LOC 2129Z 238DEG 23KT 3679 8060
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
534 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
VAZ044-042230-
Pittsylvania-
534 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY
THROUGH 630 PM EDT...
At 533 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Ajax, moving
east at 10 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm. Very heavy
rainfall and frequent lightning can also be expected with this
thunderstorm.
Locations impacted include...
Hurt...
Gretna...
Sago...
Climax...
and Pittsville.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3686 7964 3701 7960 3704 7953 3702 7950
3701 7948 3702 7946 3703 7948 3705 7948
3706 7946 3706 7941 3708 7940 3711 7930
3684 7923
TIME...MOT...LOC 2133Z 258DEG 10KT 3693 7959
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
538 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
VAZ017-032-042245-
Patrick-Floyd-
538 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN FLOYD AND NORTHERN
PATRICK COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM EDT...
At 537 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Rocky Knob
Summit, moving northeast at 5 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and dime size hail are possible with this
storm. Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and very heavy rainfall
can also be expected with this thunderstorm.
Locations impacted include...
Floyd...
Woolwine...
Rocky Knob Recreation Area...
Charity...
and Rocky Knob Summit.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 3676 8045 3684 8048 3702 8022 3693 8019
3692 8020 3690 8020 3687 8023 3686 8016
3675 8012
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 244DEG 5KT 3681 8042
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
548 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
VAZ022-033-034-042245-
Franklin-Roanoke-Bedford-
548 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN
ROANOKE...SOUTHWESTERN BEDFORD...AND NORTHERN FRANKLIN
COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM EDT...
At 547 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Boones Mill,
moving east at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and dime size hail are possible with this
storm. Frequent lightning and very heavy rainfall can also be
expected with this activity.
Locations impacted include...
Boones Mill...
Stewartsville...
Moneta...
Bent Mountain...
and Burnt Chimney.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 3712 7954 3706 8012 3708 8011 3712 8013
3712 8014 3719 8015 3722 7994 3736 7960
TIME...MOT...LOC 2147Z 260DEG 17KT 3715 7999
RABThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 27 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:01 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A large tree was blown down along Black Ridge Road.
One tree was blown down on Woolwine Highway over Rock Castle Creek.
Two trees were blown down and a crop of corn damaged along Bear Creek Road.
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: 699036, 699037, 699038.