Scattered severe thunderstorms developed in the afternoon from a hot and humid air mass. These storms blew several trees down in the North Carolina Piedmont.
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.
Scattered severe thunderstorms developed in the afternoon from a hot and humid air mass. These storms blew several trees down in the North Carolina Piedmont.
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 7, 2:10 PM EST, 1 hour 55 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 310 PM EDT Tue Aug 7 2018 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure was centered over the southeastern United States providing typical summer weather conditions with a daily threat for mainly afternoon and evening thunderstorms and near seasonal temperatures. A weak cold front is approaching from the northwest and will provide better coverage of showers, and greater threat for organized storms, to the region as it crosses the area Wednesday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 305 PM EDT Tuesday... For late this afternoon into early evening, instability have increased per diurnal heating cycle and with little or no cap, deep convection has formed over the mountains. Scattered showers and thunderstorms a good bet into this evening with greatest concentration along old outflow boundary that continues to sink southeast from southeastern West Virginia this morning into southwestern Virginia this afternoon. Aside for pulse storms associated with the general heating of the day, there is a chance for organization of storms to generate from this old outflow boundary. This boundary favors robust deep convection and yield strong to isolated severe storms WV/VA this afternoon and evening. With PWATs in excess of 1.50, main threats would be from torrential downpours and wet microbursts. Showers will survive through the evening, living off residual instabilities and outflow boundaries. Majority of the convection, if not all, should dissipate around midnight. Debris clouds from today's storms should limit dense fog from forming overnight. Overnight lows will ranging from the mid to upper 60s across the mountains to the low 70s east. A weak cold front will approach the area tomorrow, but may not enter the mountains until late in the day. If this is the case, scattered thunderstorms will fire during the afternoon across the mountains from heating and lingering outflow boundaries. These prefrontal mountain showers may help stabilize the environment before the front enters the area. Late in the day, convection will start east of the Blue Ridge and in the vicinity of a lee trough. Convection will likely become stronger across the piedmont as the front jumps to this surface trough. With the later arrival of the front tomorrow, more heating will help destablize the atmosphere, therefore increasing the chances for strong to severe storms across the area with the higher chance for organize storms occuring east of the Blue Ridge. SPC currently has the area in a marginal risk for storms producing damaging winds. High temperature across the mountains will warm into the 80s with low to mid 90s east. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 150 PM EDT Tuesday... Enough upper support reaches southwest Virginia, northwest North Carolina, and southeast West Virginia that thunderstorms will be in full swing early Wednesday evening. Will be leaning toward the timing and placement shown by the GFS for the showers and thunderstorms on Thursday through Friday. The surface front stalls across Tennessee and North Carolina Thursday and Friday. This pushes the higher precipitable water values into the Carolinas and Tennessee Valley. However, not much change in temperatures behind the front. Confidence was average for all elements. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 155 PM EDT Tuesday... Models continued to advertise the same synoptic pattern over the weekend as the past few runs, with an upper low closing off over the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes. The Canadian showed little movement of the upper low but the ECMWF and GFS have the low lifting northeast and becoming an open wave by Tuesday. WPC favors this more progressive solution. This is a mild and wet pattern for the Mid Atlantic region with deep southwest winds keeping moisture over the area, especially Saturday and Sunday. A push of drier air works into the region behind a front that comes through late Monday. Will keep probability of precipitation behind the second front confined to the western upslope area in the mountains. Confidence was average for temperatures and below average for timing of precipitation. && .AVIATION /19Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 130 PM EDT Tuesday... Concerns this afternoon and evening are similar to yesterday with heating of the day deep convection likely with build-ups across the mountains leading to scattered showers and thunderstorms. A more organized area of showers/thunderstorms will be associated with the cold front in the Ohio Valley and along any outflow boundary which emanates ESE this afternoon and evening. There is some potential for organized line segments or clusters of storms to develop this afternoon across WV/VA resulting in gusty outflow winds and torrential downpours. Have include VCTS for all TAF sites today with tempo 4SM SHRA that may last 10-15 minutes. Winds today will have a westerly flavor with gradual freshening of the wind field today into Wednesday ahead of the approaching cold front, speeds averaging 8-12 kts with gusts 15-20 kts, with higher wind gusts associated with thunderstorm outflow. Extended... Best coverage of storms for the Virginias will occur mid-week (Wednesday) associated with an upper level trof and passage of the surface cold front. Focus will then shift south into the Carolinas Thursday into Friday as the front stalls across the southern Appalachians. There is a lot of uncertainty in the forecast for the weekend. Models are hinting at a cutoff low forming over the eastern CONUS which suggests a wet pattern for the Mid-Atlantic and greater potential for sub-VFR. Just not sure how much of an impact this will have attm to Cigs/Vsbys. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...RCS NEAR TERM...RCS SHORT TERM...AMS LONG TERM...AMS AVIATION...PM/RCS
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 410 AM EDT Tue Aug 7 2018 VAZ007-010>014-016>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-WVZ042>044- 507-508-080900- Tazewell-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-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- 410 AM EDT Tue Aug 7 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Some storms Wednesday afternoon and evening may produce locally damaging wind, especially north of Route 460. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ009-015-080900- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Smyth-Grayson- 410 AM EDT Tue Aug 7 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. 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
429 PM EDT TUE AUG 7 2018
VAZ034-035-045-072115-
Amherst-Campbell-Bedford-
429 PM EDT TUE AUG 7 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
NORTH CENTRAL CAMPBELL...NORTHEASTERN BEDFORD...AND SOUTHWESTERN
AMHERST COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF LYNCHBURG...
Until 515 PM EDT.
At 428 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Naola, moving
southeast at 5 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Lynchburg...
Forest...
Coleman Falls...
Madison Heights...
and Boonsboro.
This includes The following Locations Liberty University and
Lynchburg Airport.
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 3744 7901 3743 7902 3742 7901 3726 7919
3747 7941 3761 7926 3746 7898
TIME...MOT...LOC 2028Z 311DEG 6KT 3749 7927
LocontoSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
449 PM EDT TUE AUG 7 2018
NCZ020-072145-
Yadkin-
449 PM EDT TUE AUG 7 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
EASTERN YADKIN COUNTY...
Until 545 PM EDT.
At 449 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over East Bend,
moving southeast at 10 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail are possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
East Bend...
Enon...
Huntsville...
and Donnaha.
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.
When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of hail of any
size, as well as reports of any wind damage, including downed trees
or large limbs, to the National Weather Service by calling toll free
at 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. Reports and pictures can also be
shared on the National Weather Service Blacksburg Facebook page and
on Twitter.
LAT...LON 3618 8064 3626 8053 3626 8047 3623 8043
3622 8043 3621 8045 3617 8044 3614 8044
3612 8046 3611 8050 3609 8051 3605 8050
3605 8053
TIME...MOT...LOC 2049Z 318DEG 9KT 3619 8051
LocontoPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
450 PM EDT TUE AUG 7 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0417 PM TSTM WND DMG 4 NE SHAWSVILLE 37.21N 80.23W
08/07/2018 MONTGOMERY VA 911 CALL CENTER
ONE TREE BLOWN DOWN ON BRAKE ROAD IN ELLISTON
&&
PWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
456 PM EDT TUE AUG 7 2018
NCZ003>005-VAZ016-032-043-072145-
Stokes-Rockingham-Surry-Henry-Patrick-Carroll-
456 PM EDT TUE AUG 7 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT
NORTHEASTERN SURRY...STOKES...NORTHWESTERN ROCKINGHAM...SOUTHEASTERN
CARROLL...SOUTHWESTERN HENRY AND PATRICK COUNTIES...
Until 545 PM EDT.
At 456 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Sanville to near Stuart to near
Cana. Movement was southeast at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Mount Airy...
Flat Rock...
Mayodan...
Madison...
and Pilot Mountain.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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.
When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of hail of any
size, as well as reports of any wind damage, including downed trees
or large limbs, to the National Weather Service by calling toll free
at 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. Reports and pictures can also be
shared on the National Weather Service Blacksburg Facebook page and
on Twitter.
LAT...LON 3659 8072 3681 8011 3654 7982 3637 8000
3626 8042 3626 8045 3625 8045 3625 8046
TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 319DEG 17KT 3675 8015 3665 8032 3658 8062
LocontoPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
457 PM EDT TUE AUG 7 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0422 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 ENE ELLISTON-LAFAYETT 37.23N 80.20W
08/07/2018 MONTGOMERY VA 911 CALL CENTER
ONE TREE BLOWN DOWN ALONG ROANOKE ROAD BETWEEN THE
INTERSECTIONS OF LAFAYETTE ROAD AND STONES KEEP LANE
&&
PWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
505 PM EDT TUE AUG 7 2018
VAZ033-034-043>045-072145-
Henry-Franklin-Campbell-Bedford-Pittsylvania-
505 PM EDT TUE AUG 7 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT
SOUTHWESTERN CAMPBELL...WESTERN PITTSYLVANIA...HENRY...SOUTHWESTERN
BEDFORD AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF MARTINSVILLE...
Until 545 PM EDT.
At 505 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Burnt Chimney to near Rocky Mount to
Philpott Dam. Movement was east at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Martinsville...
Rocky Mount...
Altavista...
Hurt...
and Chatham.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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.
If you are on or near Smith Mountain 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 3674 8009 3676 8009 3678 8010 3679 8007
3679 8004 3682 8007 3683 8007 3699 7992
3722 7986 3722 7985 3717 7927 3687 7930
3656 7966
TIME...MOT...LOC 2105Z 283DEG 22KT 3714 7982 3698 7983 3680 8004
LocontoThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 92 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:02 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees near the intersection of Route 67 and Butner Mill Road.
Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees across the southern part of Rockingham County.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree along Whitaker Road.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree at the intersection of Rockford Road and Gadberry Road and a second tree along Rockford Road between the intersections of Route 67 and Nebo Road.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree on Vallie Davis Drive just off Route 67.
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: 767914, 767915, 767916, 767918, 767919.