Widely scattered severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and evening of July 6th when weak upper level disturbances passed across the Mid-Atlantic region, supported by strong surface heating. 8 inch range, while surface-based CAPE values rose into the 1000-2500 J/Kg range by late afternoon.
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.
Widely scattered severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and evening of July 6th when weak upper level disturbances passed across the Mid-Atlantic region, supported by strong surface heating. Deep southerly moisture helped push precipitable water values into the 1.5 to 1.8 inch range, while surface-based CAPE values rose into the 1000-2500 J/Kg range by late afternoon. Convection initiated in the form of disorganized pulse-variety cells, but became modestly organized at maximum intensity before waning toward sunset with the loss of daytime heating.
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 6, 1:22 PM EST, 2 hours 11 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 222 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 .SYNOPSIS... An upper level trough of low pressure over the Mid-Mississippi Valley will continue to eject upper level disturbances across the forecast area tonight through Friday with an opportunity for showers and thunderstorms. A cold front will sweep through the area Saturday with a period of drying Sunday and Monday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 222 PM EDT Thursday... Several upper level disturbances will rotate eastward across the region in the westerly upper level flow. The broad upper level trough in the Ohio Valley will pivot eastward and amplify along the East Coast during the weekend. Scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms will develop in the unstable air. The larger-scale forcing mechanisms are hard to find. However, weak upper features combined with low level boundaries and surface convergence, orographic lift with a healthy instability should trigger convection. The 17z SPC mesoscale analysis displayed sbcapes from 1000 to 2500 j/kg across forecast area this afternoon. There is a marginal threat for severe weather as highlighted on the Day One Convective Outlook across the entire forecast area for this afternoon and evening. The primary threat will be damaging winds with water loading and thunderstorm clusters or line segments. The potential for torrential downpours continues with high PWATs above 1.5 inches and healthy rain efficiency. Will have to monitor for water problems that received heavy rains recently. However, the DAY 1 excessive rainfall placed marginal risk to our west and north. It will be another mild night with low temperatures from around 60 degrees in the mountains to around 70 degrees in the Piedmont. The combination of light winds and low level moisture may result in patches of fog overnight into Friday morning especially where it rains. As the upper trof settles in over the Eastern United States on Friday, the initial shortwave will push through early Friday and move a weak front across across the area. This looks like a more progressive system which would allow some drier air to mix down as Friday progresses. The latest Day 2 Convective Outlook has a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms across southeast West Virginia. The main threats will be damaging winds and heavy downpours. High temperatures Friday will range from the lower 70s in the mountains to the near 90 degrees in the Piedmont. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... As of 222 PM EDT Wednesday... Some colder air aloft and a shortwave in the northern stream trof Saturday, so locations ahead of the front will have scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Models showing upper diffluence too during Saturday. Not much backing of the winds to the southwest ahead of the front. NAM/GFS/ECMWF/GEFS suggests no precipitation in the Virginia and North Carolina piedmont Friday night, perhaps because of deep western flow. Have minimum temperatures Friday night ahead of the front slightly warmer than guidance. Models consistent bring in lower surface dewpoints and relatively cooler 850mb temperatures by Sunday morning. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 1245 PM EDT Thursday... Starting with a 500 MB ridge from the southwest United States to the northern Rockies and a long wave trough over the east. By Thursday morning, the upper ridge will progress into the center of the country. A short wave coming out of Pacific Northwest over this ridge may reach the northeast United States on Tuesday, potentially pushing a surface cold front toward the Mid Atlantic region. Will have the highest probability for showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday. 850MB temperatures warm back up into the +16 to +20 range for Monday through Thursday. This will keep temperatures just above normal for much of the week. && .AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 140 PM EDT Thursday... Solar heating will combine with instability to create scattered MVFR showers and thunderstorms this afternoon into tonight. There is the potential for an organized clustering of thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening associated with a west to east moving mesoscale convective vortex. Storms associated with this feature may contain wind gusts of 20-30kts and will be associated with heavy rainfall. With the loss of heating the deeper convection(thunderstorms) will end. However, showers may linger tonight into Friday morning. Will have to monitor for another round of thunderstorms Friday morning in the western mountains. Light winds and low level moisture may create patchy fog overnight especially where it rains. MVFR showers and thunderstorms should develop Friday afternoon. Medium confidence on ceilings, visibilities and winds during the taf period. Extended Aviation Discussion... Unsettled weather is expected over the Mid-Atlantic region into Friday night with additional opportunities for showers and thunderstorms associated with areas of MVFR and local IFR conditions. Generally VFR conditions are anticipated for the weekend as dry northwesterly winds develops for a few days. MVFR conditions could returns Monday and tuesday with showers and thunderstorms. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...KK/PM NEAR TERM...KK SHORT TERM...MBS LONG TERM...AMS AVIATION...KK/PM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 358 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 VAZ007-010-011-018-023-024-035-071200- Tazewell-Bland-Giles-Craig-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Amherst- 358 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, southwest Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few strong to isolated severe thunderstorms containing damaging winds will be possible this afternoon and evening. Very heavy rainfall could also result in localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. A few strong to isolated severe thunderstorms containing damaging winds will be possible Friday and Friday night. Very heavy rainfall could also result in localized flooding. Saturday through Wednesday there is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ009-012>017-022-032>034-043>047-058-059-071200- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Smyth-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Roanoke- Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox- Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte- 358 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, central Virginia, 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 will be possible this afternoon and evening. Very heavy rainfall could also result in localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. A few strong to isolated severe thunderstorms containing damaging winds will be possible Saturday. Very heavy rainfall could also result in localized flooding. Sunday through Wednesday there is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ019-020-WVZ042>044-507-508-071200- Alleghany VA-Bath-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 358 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few strong to isolated severe thunderstorms containing damaging winds will be possible this afternoon and evening. Very heavy rainfall could also result in localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 246 PM EDT THU JUL 6 2017 NCZ003>005-061945- Stokes-Surry-Rockingham- 246 PM EDT THU JUL 6 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL SURRY...STOKES AND SOUTHWESTERN ROCKINGHAM COUNTIES... At 246 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Germanton, moving east at 20 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Mayodan... Madison... Pilot Mountain... Walnut Cove... and Danbury. If you are on or near Belews Lake, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm. LAT...LON 3626 8045 3642 8052 3647 7997 3625 7990 TIME...MOT...LOC 1846Z 256DEG 19KT 3628 8019 AS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
250 PM EDT THU JUL 6 2017
VAZ011-WVZ042>044-061945-
Giles-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-
250 PM EDT THU JUL 6 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
CENTRAL GILES...SOUTH CENTRAL SUMMERS...MERCER AND SOUTHWESTERN
MONROE COUNTIES...
At 248 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Kegley, moving
east at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Princeton...
Pearisburg...
Narrows...
Pembroke...
and Athens.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
If you are on or near Bluestone Lake, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
LAT...LON 3742 8131 3741 8129 3742 8128 3746 8131
3747 8128 3748 8127 3755 8062 3728 8062
3729 8098 3730 8098 3730 8101 3731 8133
3734 8136
TIME...MOT...LOC 1848Z 268DEG 28KT 3741 8113
ASSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 304 PM EDT THU JUL 6 2017 VAZ032-033-043-061930- Henry-Franklin-Patrick- 304 PM EDT THU JUL 6 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN HENRY...SOUTH CENTRAL FRANKLIN AND NORTHEASTERN PATRICK COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF MARTINSVILLE... At 303 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Buffalo Ridge, moving east at 25 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Martinsville... Bassett... Woolwine... Villa Heights... and Collinsville. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. If you are on or near Philpott Lake, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm. LAT...LON 3670 8027 3680 8030 3691 7986 3664 7983 TIME...MOT...LOC 1903Z 263DEG 23KT 3675 8020 AS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
424 PM EDT THU JUL 6 2017
VAZ014-022-062115-
Montgomery-Roanoke-
424 PM EDT THU JUL 6 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT
ROANOKE AND CENTRAL MONTGOMERY COUNTIES...THE CITY OF SALEM AND THE
CITY OF ROANOKE...THIS INCLUDES THE SALEM FAIRGROUNDS.
At 423 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Bradshaw through Blacksburg to
Prices Fork. Movement was east at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Roanoke...
Blacksburg...
Salem...
Christiansburg...
and Vinton.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may cause
localized ponding of water and flooding. This is especially true
in urban areas. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
these storms pass.
LAT...LON 3735 7991 3730 7984 3727 7986 3723 7984
3721 7988 3714 7996 3714 7999 3717 8001
3717 8003 3716 8009 3712 8012 3711 8017
3718 8056 3720 8052 3721 8052 3718 8059
3721 8061 3722 8061 3726 8043 3737 8019
TIME...MOT...LOC 2023Z 271DEG 29KT 3734 8019 3726 8036 3723 8052
JJMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
428 PM EDT THU JUL 6 2017
VAZ044-062115-
Pittsylvania-
428 PM EDT THU JUL 6 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
CENTRAL PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY...
At 427 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Callands,
moving east at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Chatham...
Blairs...
Callands...
Java...
and Swansonville.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding, especially in urban areas. 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 3669 7961 3684 7962 3688 7951 3689 7913
3666 7919
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 272DEG 18KT 3678 7953
JJMThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 74 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:33 UTC.
9 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds across Bearskin Road and another was blown down along Banister Road.
Power lines were blown down by thunderstorm winds on Military Drive.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorms winds across Dry Fork Road and powerlines were blown down along Highway 29.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds across Reeves Mill Road.
Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree near the intersection of Deer Ridge Trail and Oak Level Road just west of the city of South Boston.
Thunderstorm winds downed at least four healthy trees within the city of South Boston. In addition, a tree was blown down near the intersection of Deer Ridge Trail and Oak Level Road and another down at the intersection of Philpott Road and Maplewood Drive.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds along Timberlake Drive.
Lightning struck a tree, causing it to fall onto a car along Edgewood Avenue.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds along Beaver Creek Crossing and another was blown down along Camp Hydaway Road.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds along Toll Gate 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: 699092, 699089, 699115, 699090, 699091, 699117, 699080, 699118, 699087, 699083.