Heavy rain moved into an area where earlier afternoon thunderstorms had occurred making conditions favorable for flash flooding as an additional 1 to 2 inches fell in a few hours.
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.
Heavy rain moved into an area where earlier afternoon thunderstorms had occurred making conditions favorable for flash flooding as an additional 1 to 2 inches fell in a few hours.
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 Aug 1, 6:36 PM EST, 1 hour 51 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
736 PM EDT Wed Aug 1 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
The Mid-Atlantic Region will remain in a very moist airmass
through at least Friday as a deep southerly flow of air persists
ahead of a slow moving front. This will result in periods of
showers and storms with heavy rains and potential flash
flooding.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 706 PM EDT Wednesday...Adjusted PoPs/Wx slightly through
midnight to match forecast expectations. No adjustments
presently needed to the flash flood watch at this point.
Greatest convective threat through midnight appears to be for
areas east of the Blue Ridge. This is where the air mass has
destabilized more substantially than areas along and west of the
Blue Ridge. With better instability in the foothills and
Piedmont areas, scattered thunderstorms may be capable of heavy
convective rainfall rates at least through 10 PM, even though
individual storms in this moderately unstable regime will be
moving along at a good clip. Have added heavy rain wording to
the zone forecast in these eastern sections through midnight,
though it will likely not be raining through the period.
There is still some corridor of severe weather given strong flow
fields also in this eastern area, and will need to keep tabs on
storms currently in Southside and into northern NC for wind
damage. There has already been several reports of trees downed
in Henry County and in parts of Stokes County as well.
Along and west of the Blue Ridge, thunderstorm coverage probably
will be only isolated to widely scattered, but a steady slug of
at least moderate rain now over eastern TN into northern GA
moves across these areas after 9 PM. These areas are just not as
unstable as areas further east of the Ridge. There may be some
heavier rainfall rates at times here, but steady moderate rain
is a good bet as weak surface wave moves northeast over the next
few hrs.
No other changes needed attm.
Previous discussion from 415 PM follows...
Widespread showers with only isolated thunder have moved into
the western half of RNK forecast area in deep southerly moist
flow, while breaks in clouds to the east have helped establish
modest instability of SBCAPE of 2000-2500 J/kg across parts of
the Piedmont. However there is a weak capping inversion and some
mid level drier air there to so far prevent any convection from
developing except for much farther east along remnants of sea
breeze from in central NC. Some of this may move into the
Piedmont areas of our CWA in north-central NC and Southside VA
this evening. Meanwhile, deeper convection forming in the
western parts of the Carolinas may also move north into our
foothills this evening where the ground is saturated from
rainfall over 4-5 inches yesterday. The more moderate rainfall
rates farther west may last for much of the evening so this
also remains an area of a flooding concern as well. Thus see no
reason to change the FF watch headline at this point. However
looking like the threat of any severe weather is minimal and may
be confined to the Piedmont this evening where instability is
the highest. Shear remains marginal but enough to help with some
degree of organization of storms and the small chance of an
isolated severe storm through the late this evening, with
damaging winds being the main threat.
Later tonight, many of the hi res shorter term models suggest
the deeper convection along or east of the foothills fades, with
a regeneration of the some of the coverage back to the west with
an upper wave moving up out of the deep south, so do not think
the flood threat goes way completely even toward morning but
rates will be lower. So have depicted an increasing trend in
PoP values in the far west back into in the categorical range
toward morning after first lowering late this evening into
chance range.
For Thursday the pattern overall remains similar, with fairly
widespread convection developing again including higher chances
in the Piedmont by afternoon and could be better overall
coverage than today considering the hi res ensemble solutions.
Could be another marginal threat for severe in the Piedmont but
really do not see this being any better chance than today,
which so far has proved very minimal. Greatest threat again
should be for flash flooding with yet another wave moving north
and helping to concentrate much of the convection in the same
foothill areas of wrn NC and the souther Blue Ridge of VA.
Still, hard to be confident enough to say the threat for flash
flooding is only there so continuation of the FF watch still
looks good through Thursday in all locations except for the
Piedmont where coverage should again be more scattered.
Overall confidence in continued wet pattern with heavy rain and
isolated flash flood being the main threat, but confidence is
lower in terms of specific areas for potential flash flooding
as well as any marginal severe threat.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 115 PM EDT Wednesday...
Thursday night into Friday, the region will remain in a pattern where
copious moisture continues to stream into the area on the eastern
side of a stalled, but soon to be washing-out upper trough centered
over the Mississippi River Valley. Rounds of heavy rain will again
be possible over the area.
Friday night into Saturday, expect the start of a transition whereby
the upper trough dissipates and an upper high off the southeast U.S.
coast retrogrades west, closer to the coast. This process will begin
to deviate the low level flow so that trajectories off the Gulf of
Mexico will be heading into the Lower Mississippi River valley,
rather than across our area of the country. Low level flow across
our region will become more light and variable and then light from
the west. This pattern shift will not be complete until Saturday
night into Sunday, so Saturday still has the potential for some more
organized showers and storms, but not as much so as in recent days.
Temperatures during this part of the forecast will trend warmer with
readings around normal for this time of year by Saturday.
Forecast confidence during this segment of the forecast is moderate
to high.
&&
.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 1215 PM EDT Wednesday...
Saturday night through at least Monday night the area will be on the
north side of a west-east oriented upper level ridge. This feature
will keep our region out of the main steering flow aloft. All the
best jet dynamics will be well north of our region near the
U.S./Canadian border and also to our west over the Plains States.
Low level flow will be weak with no direct avenue of moisture either
from the Gulf of Mexico or the western Atlantic.
Even though there will not be a strong stream of moisture into the
area, plenty will simply be in place across the area given our
current moist environment. Also, surface heating of saturated ground
will help evaporate some of that moisture into the boundary layer.
Diurnal showers and storms are forecast with the best coverage
across the mountains. This region is most preferred as it will be
farther away from the influence of the upper ridge's capping
inversion, and weak low level orographical convergence during the
peak heating of the day will be the mechanism for convective
initiation.
The forecast becomes a bit more questionable Tuesday into Wednesday.
Guidance has been flip-flopping in regards to a possible shortwave
trough and associate cold front that may be entering and crossing
our region during this time period. This feature would allow for
more than simply diurnal activity, but a broader region of
convection coincident to its crossing.
Temperatures during this portion of the forecast will trend milder
through at least Monday with temperatures averaging five degrees
above normal by then. Depending upon the trend of the potential
trough/front, temperatures will either continue to be around five
degrees above normal on Tuesday, and potentially Wednesday as well,
or drop to readings closer to normal for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Forecast confidence through Monday/Monday night is moderate, but
drops to low confidence Tuesday through Wednesday.
&&
.AVIATION /23Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 736 PM EDT Wednesday...Similar to last couple nights,
expect degraded flight conditions for the evening and overnight
hrs due to combination of showers/thunder through midnight, and
then showers interspersed with mist and low ceilings for
overnight potentially into the Thursday AM hrs.
Areas east of the Blue Ridge (Danville and Lynchburg TAFs) stand
the best chance at seeing IFR or lower visibility from heavy
rain producing thunderstorms at least through 04z. A few of
these may be associated with gusty winds/localized wind shear if
storms directly affect a TAF site. Have highest confidence on
Danville being most impacted and have included a TEMPO group
with the 00z TAF issuance. May need to amend Lynchburg's TAF
with TEMPOs as well as storms move north-northeast. Western TAFs
should see more MVFR showers developing around mid-evening, and
while thunder is possible the better chance east of the Blue
Ridge. Rain looks to last well into the overnight and morning
hrs from Roanoke west. Ceilings likely will lower to MVFR- IFR
again after midnight, but it remains uncertain when ceilings may
lift tomorrow. Did show some VFR ceilings at Lynchburg in the
afternoon, but at least MVFR looks more likely elsewhere. Winds
south 4-8 kts.
Confidence high in terms of winds, and is moderate on flight
categories. Confidence is low to moderate on timing specific
thunderstorm impacts at eastern terminals through 04z.
Extended...
Moist airmass will remain over the forecast area through Friday
and will start to see more of a summer pattern later in the
weekend as upper ridge builds in from the Atlantic limiting
storms to mainly afternoon/evening and scattered. Until then
should expect periods of sub-VFR conditions in storms as well as
at night/early morning at most sites.
Confidence is moderate to high, both temporally and spatially
throughout the extended period.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
As of 415 PM EDT Wednesday...
Flash Flood Watch in effect through 8am Friday, with 1.5 to 4
inches of rain likely in an area from the foothills of VA/NC to
the Central/Southern Appalachians. Rainfall past 2 days has
averaged about one half to 2 inches along/west of the Blue
Ridge, though some areas saw upwards of 5 inches or more, while
some locations saw few. The heavier rains have fallen across the
NC foothills, into southside VA with another stripe across
portions of Southeast WV into Wythe County.
3 hour flash flood guidance is running about 1 to 2 inches in the
mountains and foothills, with some 3 inch amounts. Given PWATS
running 1.75 to 2 inches or about 150 to 175 percent of normal, any
rainfall will be heavy at times.
Flash flooding could occur almost anywhere this evening, and
again into Thursday, but the foothills/mountains have the best
shot.
In addition, after several days of rainfall where several inches to
5+ occur, will have to watch main stem rivers, particularly, the New
and Greenbrier Rivers, and possibly the Yadkin and Dan. Those
along the Greenbrier, Yadkin, and Dan, as well as upper New
River should pay attention to the forecast and river levels
over the coming 48 to 72 hours.
&&
.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...Flash Flood Watch through Friday morning for VAZ007-009>020-
022>024-032>035-043.
NC...Flash Flood Watch through Friday morning for NCZ001>004-
018>020.
WV...Flash Flood Watch through Friday morning for WVZ042>044-507-
508.
&&
SYNOPSIS...SK
NEAR TERM...AL/SK
SHORT TERM...DS
LONG TERM...DS
AVIATION...AL/SK
HYDROLOGY...WPHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 421 PM EDT Wed Aug 1 2018 NCZ001>004-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-043-WVZ042>044-507- 508-022030- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-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-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 421 PM EDT Wed Aug 1 2018 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING... 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...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Flash Flood Watch. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect through Thursday but may be needed again Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. NCZ005-006-VAZ044>047-058-059-022030- Rockingham-Caswell-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham- Halifax-Charlotte- 421 PM EDT Wed Aug 1 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, central Virginia and south central Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. An isolated severe storm with damaging winds and very heavy rain is not out of the question through late this evening, but overall the probability for hazardous weather remains low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. A wet weather pattern continues into Friday. Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms may lead to localized flooding. Flash Flood watches may be necessary. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 815 PM EDT WED AUG 1 2018 NCZ006-020045- Caswell- 815 PM EDT WED AUG 1 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN CASWELL COUNTY... Until 845 PM EDT. At 815 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Baynes, moving northeast at 30 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Jericho... Prospect Hill... Leasburg... Topnot... and Hightowers. 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 3625 7942 3626 7943 3646 7914 3624 7916 TIME...MOT...LOC 0015Z 220DEG 27KT 3621 7934 MBS
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
823 PM EDT WED AUG 1 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0800 PM FLOOD 2 SE OREGON HILL 36.43N 79.63W
08/01/2018 ROCKINGHAM NC TRAINED SPOTTER
SPOTTERS REPORT HEAVY RAIN HAS CAUSED MINOR STREET
FLOODING ON OREGON HILL ROAD ALONG QUAQUA CREEK.
&&
LOCONTOSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
852 PM EDT WED AUG 1 2018
VAZ044-020130-
Pittsylvania-
852 PM EDT WED AUG 1 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY AND THE
CITY OF DANVILLE...
Until 930 PM EDT.
At 851 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from Cascade to near Mayfield. Movement was
northeast at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Danville...
Chatham...
Blairs...
Callands...
and Java.
This includes The following Location Danville Airport.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and a flash
flood warning is in effect. 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 3669 7968 3701 7949 3682 7915 3671 7917
3654 7935 3654 7971
TIME...MOT...LOC 0051Z 214DEG 33KT 3658 7968 3649 7953
MBSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
857 PM EDT WED AUG 1 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0815 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NE BROOKNEAL 37.07N 78.95W
08/01/2018 CAMPBELL VA 911 CALL CENTER
CAMPBELL COUNTY DISPATCH REPORTED A TREE AND POWER LINE
DOWNED ON JUNIPER CLIFF RD IN BROOKNEAL. TIME ESTIMATED
FROM RADAR.
&&
LOCONTOPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
901 PM EDT WED AUG 1 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0745 PM LIGHTNING 3 N HURT 37.12N 79.28W
08/01/2018 CAMPBELL VA 911 CALL CENTER
CAMPBELL COUNTY DISPATCH REPORTED A RESIDENCE WAS STRUCK
BY LIGHTNING ON RIVERVIEW DRIVE IN ALTAVISTA. TIME
ESTIMATED.
&&
LOCONTOPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
905 PM EDT WED AUG 1 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0844 PM HAIL RED HOUSE 37.18N 78.80W
08/01/2018 E0.25 INCH CHARLOTTE VA BROADCAST MEDIA
PEA SIZED HAIL RELAYED FROM GEORGE AT WSET.
&&
LOCONTOThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 77 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:28 UTC.
2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
County dispatch reported high water covering River Road around Country Club Drive.
Wolf Island Creek overtopped a bridge on Wolf Island Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, August 2018
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: 777939, 777940.