A closed upper level low helped to trigger scattered severe thunderstorms during the afternoon. These storms blew down a number of trees and produced hail up to the size of quarters.
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 closed upper level low helped to trigger scattered severe thunderstorms during the afternoon. These storms blew down a number of trees and produced hail up to the size of quarters.
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 13, 1:34 PM EST, 21 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 234 PM EDT Mon Aug 13 2018 .SYNOPSIS... Low pressure off the Mid-atlantic coast will drift northeast through Tuesday with a nearly stationary front across the eastern Carolinas, keeping a chance for showers and thunderstorms over the Appalachians and central mid Atlantic region through Tuesday. High pressure will then build in from the west with generally fair weather for Wednesday, before a warm front brings showers and thunderstorms back to the forecast on Thursday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 215 PM EDT Monday... Convection is starting to pop early this afternoon as cool pool associated with upper low is aiding in destabilization. Expect some storms to be strong with a few producing large hail and damaging winds mainly in Virginia along and east of I81 and east of I77. Some storms will also have heavy downpours and may produce some localized flooding, but the main threat for excessive rainfall will reside further off to our northeast. Convection will move east and taper off this evening, allowing for fog and stratus to develop once again overnight. Do not have enough confidence on areal coverage of fog outside of valley locations to issue a dense fog advisory but expect some visibilities below one mile by daybreak. Any fog/stratus will burn off Tuesday morning and allow for some self destructive sunshine. While the upper low will slowly be pulling off to the northeast, it will still have enough influence over the Appalachians and central mid Atlantic region to aid convective development Tuesday afternoon. Expect coverage to be of the scattered/widely scattered variety and a bit less vigorous than the past couple of days. Lows tonight will be on the chilly side with low/mid 60s east of the Blue Ridge and mid 50s/around 60 to the west, with cooler readings in the valleys. Highs Tuesday will be near seasonal norms with mid 80s in the east and mid 70s/around 80 to the west. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... As of 445 AM EDT Monday... The closed 576dm upper low that brought the rain and severe thunderstorms to the area yesterday, will continue to drift northeast away from the region Tuesday. However, it will remain close enough to still have a notable influence on the weather across our region as we remain under the periphery cyclonic circulation and subject to any PVA spokes tracking through the west/south side of the upper low. While it appears any organized convection would remain to our north and east, there is still good diurnal potential for scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially across the mountains in association with the added impetus of differiental diurnal heating. There will be a notable diurnal swing to the precipitation chances, peaking in the mid to late afternoon and basically diminishing to near zero at night. This upper low will continue to drift further away from the CWA Wed-Thu in advance of a more progressive trough drifting eastward from the Midwest. In between, a short wave ridge will drift across the Mid-Atlantic. This will allow for a minimum in diurnal convection, but given the continued moist/warm/unstable air mass, would still expect widely scattered to scattered diurnally driven convection. Have gone above MOS guidance pops, as both MET and MAV MOS seem low given the available moisture and overall cyclonic flow, at least through much of Wed. Little change expected in temperatures through the period as the warm humid air mass remains across the area. Dewpoints, which dropped a tad across northern/western areas Monday, will creep back up toward 70 by Wednesday. Lows in the lower to mid 60s Mon-Tue will drift back toward the 65-70 range by midweek. High temperatures will remain near to just slightly below normals in the 80-85 range most areas, except 70s mountains. /Forecast Confidence Levels/ Temperatures - High Precipitation Chances - Moderate, Winds - Moderate, Thunderstorm Threat - Moderate. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 500 AM EDT Monday... Yet another upper trough will drift into the region from the Midwest/Ohio Valley by Friday. Deep moisture is expected to return with PWATS creeping back into the 1.5 to 2.0 range once again. This trough will move very slowly through the region over the weekend as yet another upper trough lifts out of the southern/central plains early next week. The tropical air mass resident over the southern plains at this time will eventually lift northeast into the eastern half of the U.S. by the weekend in association with the trough. This very moist air mass will be back in our region by Thu/Fri and as a result could renew the threat of flooding rainfall with expected showers and thunderstorms into the weekend. A brief short wave ridge will be wedged between the two late week and weekend troughs, so a minimum of convection Sunday may be possible, with convection briefly more widely scattered. No appreciable change in air mass, other than the noted humidity and moisture levels changes, will result in little to no change in day-to-day temperatures. Look for highs in the 80s east to the mid and upper 70s western mountains. Overnight lows will remain above normal in the mid 60s west to the lower 70s east. /Forecast Confidence Levels/ Temperatures - Moderate to High, Precipitation Chances - Moderate, Winds - Moderate, Thunderstorm Threat - Moderate to High. && .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 215 PM EDT Monday... Cool pool aloft will aid in destabilization and yield scattered thunderstorms across the region into this evening. Will go with VCTS all sites and use short term amendments when storms become imminent at an airfield. After convection tapers off this evening, expect a brief period of VFR before fog/stratus develop in a manner similar to last night. This should yield IFR/LIFR conditions due to cig and/or vis at all TAF sites late tonight before burning off Tuesday morning. VFR conditions are then expected for the latter portion of the valid period before widely scattered showers/storms develop later Tuesday afternoon. Winds will generally be light, with higher gusts near thunderstorms. Extended Discussion... Model solutions are fair agreement that cut off upper level low will move northeast through Wednesday. This will bring drier weather and a better chance of VFR conditions into midweek. The next cold front and chance of widespread showers and thunderstorms with the associated MVFR conditions arrives on Friday. && .EQUIPMENT... As of 215 PM EDT Monday... Still awaiting parts delivery to begin repair of the KFCX WSR- 88D power supply. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...MBS NEAR TERM...MBS SHORT TERM...RAB LONG TERM...RAB/SK AVIATION...MBS/AMS EQUIPMENT...MBS
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 245 PM EDT Mon Aug 13 2018 NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009>013-015-016-019-020-WVZ042>044-507-508- 140900- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Grayson-Carroll- Alleghany VA-Bath-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 245 PM EDT Mon Aug 13 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Dense fog will develop toward daybreak with visibility below one mile at times. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ014-017-018-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-140900- Montgomery-Floyd-Craig-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin- Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham- Halifax-Charlotte- 245 PM EDT Mon Aug 13 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few thunderstorms may become severe this afternoon into this evening with large hail and damaging winds. Dense fog will develop toward daybreak with visibility below one mile at times. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
913 AM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0205 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 SW CLIFTON FORGE CITY 37.81N 79.85W
08/12/2018 ALLEGHANY VA PUBLIC
A FEW MODERATELY LARGE TREE BRANCHES DOWNED ON THE SIDE
OF SELMA LOW MOOR ROAD. TIME RADAR ESTIMATED.
&&
LOCONTOPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
914 AM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0255 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 SW CLIFTON FORGE CITY 37.81N 79.85W
08/12/2018 ALLEGHANY VA PUBLIC
A FEW MODERATELY LARGE TREE BRANCHES DOWNED ON THE SIDE
OF SELMA LOW MOOR ROAD. TIME RADAR ESTIMATED.
&&
LOCONTOPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
928 AM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0232 PM TSTM WND DMG NNE NATURAL WELL 37.92N 79.97W
08/12/2018 ALLEGHANY VA TRAINED SPOTTER
SPOTTER WHO WORKS FOR VDOT RESPONDED YESTERDAY TO SEVERAL
TREES DOWNED ALONG ROUTE 687 FROM FALLING SPRING TO LAKE
MOOMAW.
&&
LOCONTOPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1141 AM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0125 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 WNW WILKESBORO RESERV 36.13N 81.34W
08/12/2018 WILKES NC DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
A TREE WAS BLOWN DOWN BY THUNDERSTORM WINDS ALONG
CHAMPION MT PLEASANT ROAD.
0150 PM TSTM WND DMG 4 N NORTH WILKESBORO 36.23N 81.16W
08/12/2018 WILKES NC DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
A TREE WAS BLOWN DOWN BY THUNDERSTORM WINDS ALONG JOHN
MCGRADY ROAD.
0155 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 S NORTH WILKESBORO 36.15N 81.14W
08/12/2018 WILKES NC DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
A TREE WAS BLOWN DOWN BY THUNDERSTORM WINDS ALONG HAYS
STREET.
&&
16Special Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 235 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018 VAZ022-033-131930- Franklin-Roanoke- 235 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN ROANOKE AND CENTRAL FRANKLIN COUNTIES... Until 330 PM EDT. At 234 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Boones Mill, moving south at 15 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Rocky Mount... Boones Mill... Ferrum... Penhook... and Burnt Chimney. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. LAT...LON 3716 8005 3721 7978 3697 7962 3689 8010 TIME...MOT...LOC 1834Z 343DEG 9KT 3709 7993 KK
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
11 hail, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Hail up to the size of quarters fell on Route 39 on the east side of Warm Springs Mountain and created hazardous driving conditions. In addition, thunderstorm winds blew down one tree along Route 39.
Thunderstorm winds blew down several large tree limbs at the Cliff View Golf Club and Inn.
Hail up to the size of quarters fell for about ten minutes five miles east of Sydnorsville.
Hail up to the size of pennies fell about five miles east of Alto.
Hail up to the size of nickels fell about two miles west-northwest of Stewartsville.
Hail up to the size of nickels fell on Wet Sleeve Creek Road.
Hail up to the size of quarters fell on Gravel Hill Road.
Hail up to the size of nickels fell on Grandmas Hill Road.
Hail up to the size of nickels fell in the town of Hardy.
Hail up to the size of nickels fell about four miles south-southeast of Stewartsville.
Hail up to the size of quarters fell on Strawberry Road.
Thunderstorm winds blew down two large tree branches about six miles east of Stewartsville.
Hail up to the size of pennies fell about one mile west-southwest of Bedford.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, 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: 768574, 768589, 768590, 768575, 768592, 768593, 768597, 768595, 768577, 768596, 768599, 768598, 768594.