Southerly flow around high pressure pushing off to the east provided suitable moisture into the region to cause afternoon thunderstorms to develop in the Virginia piedmont. Thunderstorms began in the North Carolina high country before progressing northeast, tapping into higher instabilities where the storms became severe.
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.
Southerly flow around high pressure pushing off to the east provided suitable moisture into the region to cause afternoon thunderstorms to develop in the Virginia piedmont. Thunderstorms began in the North Carolina high country before progressing northeast, tapping into higher instabilities where the storms became severe.
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 Jun 4, 2:56 PM EST, 34 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 356 PM EDT Sun Jun 4 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A warm front will lift northeastward across the region into Monday, shower and thunderstorm coverage increasing across the Mid Atlantic Region. Unsettled weather will then persist until a cold front sweeps through the region late Monday night or early Tuesday. Passage of Tuesday's front will be followed by a cool late season cutoff low which will settle over the northern Mid-Atlantic for mid-week, temperatures retreating to the cooler side of normal. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 400 PM EDT Sunday... Dry high pressure will move east overnight. Behind this high pressure is southerly flow which will increase moisture from the Atlantic into the region. Another contributor of moisture is a closed low that will wobble over the southern plains through Monday. This low will bring Gulf moisture into the region. PWATS this morning were 0.59 of an inch across the mountains and 0.84 of an inch over the piedmont. Models are bringing PWATS of 1.50-2.00 inches into the area which is 150-200% above normal. This may seem aggressive considering we were so dry this morning, but Nashville's morning sounding has PWATS of 1.72 inches and Atlanta was 1.64 inches. This air mass is heading our way. The southern plains upper low will also send short waves over the region. Each wave will help add moisture to the area. A northern stream low over the Great Lakes will send a weak cold front towards the region tonight and Monday. A surface wave is expected to form along this front tonight and track east in zonal flow. Most models are in agreement with tracking this surface low over the forecast area. However, they differ some on where the axis of heavy rain will occur. The GFS has the axis over the Greenbrier Valley to the Southern Shenadoah Valley. The NAM is slightly south from Bluefield WV to Lynchburg VA. The ECM with its course resolution, looks like a combination of the GFS and NAM. Models, especially the GFS, may be overdone on rainfall amounts due to convective feedback. Within the axis of heavy rain, north of HWY 460, up to two inch of rain possible and around an inch south into early Monday afternoon. With the lack of rain the past several days, these amounts will not cause any flood concerns as long as repeated strong storms do not train over the same area over and over again through the night. The surface low will track towards DC by early afternoon with rain becoming light or ending all together. With a humid air mass entering the area tonight, temperatures will remain on the muggy side with lows only falling into the 60s. If the rain can clear out by early afternoon, temperatures maybe able to warm into the upper 70s to lower 80s. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... As of 315 PM EDT Sunday... Deepening Great Lakes upper low will sag southward into the Mid-Atlantic Region through mid-week, stalling near the PA/MD border B4 finally lifting back north toward the end of the week. With the upper low over the region, anticipate cooler than normal temperatures with highs confined to the 60s in the mountains and 70s piedmont. Cold air aloft will also drive diurnal showers...this pattern favoring very little precip at night but enough instability during the day for widely scattered afternoon and evening showers. The mountains and northern areas will likely tend to be the more favored for showers per per orographic lift and proximity to the upper low, however due to the warm June sun, enough instability should be generated for threat to extend into the VA/NC Piedmont also...in addition to steep enough lapse rates for an isolated rumble of thunder. Overall QPF should not be much...mainly a tenth of an inch or less, with most folks remaining dry. Coolest of the airmass is forecast to pass overhead Wednesday night into Thursday morning, 85h temps approaching 8 deg C. This will promote surface temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees below normal. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 330 PM EDT Sunday... The upper level Low will slowly lift northward out of the area by Friday, resulting in decreasing rain chances and a slow warming trend. A short wave will move through the Great Lakes in the wake of the upper Low Saturday as it continues to lift north and away from the area. This short wave feature may bring some showers to the area, mainly during the peak heating part of the day Saturday late afternoon. Overall, heights are rising across the eastern U.S. for the weekend resulting in a less active and much warmer weather pattern. Both the GFS and ECMWF have a 590 dm upper level ridge of High pressure over the area by Monday of next week. This suggests high temperatures will flip to the warm side of normal with highs into the 80s and 90s as we transition into Mid June. && .AVIATION /19Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 135 PM EDT Sunday... VFR conditions will continue at the TAF sites through this evening. Low level moisture will be on the increase on the heels of southwest winds in advance of a low pressure across the southern plains. MVFR cigs will begin to develop first over the NC High Country with thunderstorms this afternoon and into the evening. Lower ceilings and rain will spread into the area from the southwest to northeast after 06Z, with most TAF sites seeing IFR cigs/vsbys in place by daybreak Mon, although it may take until just after daybreak Mon for this to occur at KLYH. Winds will be mainly southwest 5-10kts through the period. Expect widespread rain through the day Monday tapering off from the northwest to southeast during the evening. Expect IFR or worse cigs/vsbys through much of the morning, potentially improving to IFR/MVFR later in the day. Extended Aviation Discussion... Monday night into Tuesday the front will be east of the area and northwest winds will be on the increase on the backside of the system. However, an upper low will persist over the region through mid week keeping rather unsettled conditions in place, especially across the mountains with variable MVFR clouds and patchy rain showers. Conditions should begin to improve overall after Wednesday with the upper low shifting east and south of the area. && .HYDROLOGY... As of 500 AM EDT Sunday... With no substantial rainfall over the area in just a little over a week now, 1-hr, 3-hr, and 6-hr flash flood guidance numbers have increased notably as compared to where they were at the point of our last substantial rainfall. Values are lowest in the north where 1- hr numbers are in the 1.25 to 1.50 inch range with 6-hr numbers around 2.00 to 2.25 inches. Across the south, 1-hr values are closer to 2.00 to 2.50 inches with 6-hr numbers in the 3.00 to 4.00 inch range. Forecast average rainfall during the bulk of the upcoming event will range from 1.0 inch to 1.50 inches, with most of this falling over a 12-hr period from roughly midnight to noon on Monday. Will need to continue to monitor the progression of how the system is developing, but at this point, confidence in flooding is not high enough to warrant a watch. Will continue to highlight the concern in the Hazardous Weather Outlook and the experimental graphical HWO. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...PM NEAR TERM...RCS SHORT TERM...PM LONG TERM...PM AVIATION...RCS HYDROLOGY...RAB
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 401 PM EDT Sun Jun 4 2017 NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059- WVZ042>044-507-508-052015- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson- Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge- Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell- Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte-Mercer-Summers-Monroe- Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 401 PM EDT Sun Jun 4 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. Storms through Monday will be slow moving and may produce localized flooding of poor drainage areas and/or washing debris onto the highways. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. Storms through Monday will be slow moving and may produce localized flooding of poor drainage areas and/or washing debris onto the highways. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
342 PM EDT SUN JUN 4 2017
NCZ003-042045-
Surry-
342 PM EDT SUN JUN 4 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN SURRY COUNTY...
At 341 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Lambsburg,
moving southeast at 15 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Mount Airy...
Flat Rock...
Bottom...
Cana...
and Pine Ridge.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3656 8085 3656 8060 3651 8044 3642 8045
3630 8062
TIME...MOT...LOC 1941Z 309DEG 13KT 3659 8076
MBSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
345 PM EDT SUN JUN 4 2017
NCZ003-019-020-042030-
Surry-Yadkin-Wilkes-
345 PM EDT SUN JUN 4 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT
SOUTHERN SURRY...EAST CENTRAL WILKES AND YADKIN COUNTIES...
At 344 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a line
extending from Roaring River to near Bermuda Run.
Movement was northeast at 20 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Elkin...
Fairview...
Yadkinville...
Jonesville...
and Dobson.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
These storms 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 3605 8074 3623 8113 3643 8076 3629 8045
3624 8045 3623 8043 3622 8043 3621 8045
3617 8044 3614 8044 3612 8046 3612 8049
3611 8051 3608 8051 3605 8050
TIME...MOT...LOC 1944Z 244DEG 15KT 3622 8097 3596 8041
MBSSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 347 PM EDT SUN JUN 4 2017 VAZ016-042045- Carroll- 347 PM EDT SUN JUN 4 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTH CENTRAL CARROLL COUNTY... At 346 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Lambsburg, moving southeast at 15 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Cana... and Lambsburg. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. LAT...LON 3656 8083 3666 8076 3658 8061 3656 8062 TIME...MOT...LOC 1946Z 311DEG 11KT 3659 8075 MBS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
358 PM EDT SUN JUN 4 2017
VAZ012-015-016-042045-
Grayson-Wythe-Carroll-
358 PM EDT SUN JUN 4 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
SOUTHEASTERN WYTHE...NORTHWESTERN CARROLL AND NORTHEASTERN GRAYSON
COUNTIES AND THE NORTHERN CITY OF GALAX...
At 357 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Spring Valley,
moving northeast at 20 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and small hail are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Galax...
Hillsville...
Fries...
Patterson...
and Byllesby.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3697 8083 3695 8081 3694 8081 3694 8080
3688 8074 3689 8070 3676 8062 3665 8103
3679 8114
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 242DEG 18KT 3675 8103
MBSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
420 PM EDT SUN JUN 4 2017
VAZ033-034-042100-
Franklin-Bedford-
420 PM EDT SUN JUN 4 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
SOUTHWESTERN BEDFORD AND NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES...
At 419 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Burnt Chimney,
moving northeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and small hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Moneta...
Huddleston...
Chamblissburg...
Burnt Chimney...
and Northwest Smith Mountain Lake.
Heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3717 7947 3706 7989 3714 7996 3716 7991
3718 7991 3718 7990 3720 7989 3722 7987
3722 7985 3723 7984 3735 7962
TIME...MOT...LOC 2019Z 241DEG 22KT 3714 7985
MBSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
427 PM EDT SUN JUN 4 2017
NCZ003-004-020-042130-
Stokes-Surry-Yadkin-
427 PM EDT SUN JUN 4 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
SOUTHEASTERN SURRY...STOKES AND NORTHEASTERN YADKIN COUNTIES...
At 427 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Siloam, moving
northeast at 30 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and small hail are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Pilot Mountain...
East Bend...
Danbury...
Sandy Ridge...
and Francisco.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3614 8052 3627 8068 3655 8029 3654 8003
3640 8003 3626 8030 3626 8045 3624 8045
3623 8043 3622 8043 3621 8045 3619 8044
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 235DEG 27KT 3627 8056
MBSThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 51 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:30 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm wind gusts knocked down a couple of trees.
Multiple trees down on and near 5 Mile Mountain Road likely caused by a microburst.
Thunderstorm wind gusts knocked down a tree.
Thunderstorm wind gusts caused a large limb to fall and block Smith Mountain Lake Parkway.
Thunderstorm wind gusts caused multiple trees to fall over Maple Road.
Thunderstorm wind gusts caused multiple trees to fall down across Pleasant Gap Road.
Thunderstorm wind gusts caused a tree to fall down across Riceville Road.
Thunderstorm wind gusts caused a tree to fall down on Chatham Road.
Thunderstorm wind gusts cause a tree to fall down; dime size hail from the storm was also reported.
Several trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds near River Road in West Salem.
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, June 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: 700457, 700460, 700463, 700467, 700456, 700476, 700477, 700479, 700453, 700455, 704854.