Scattered severe thunderstorms associated with a trough of low pressure produced damaging winds across portions of central and eastern Virginia.
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 AKQ wrote it up.
Scattered severe thunderstorms associated with a trough of low pressure produced damaging winds across portions of central and eastern Virginia.
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 Wakefield, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 13, 3:07 PM EST, 3 hours 19 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wakefield VA 407 PM EDT Mon Aug 13 2018 .SYNOPSIS... A trough of low pressure slowly moves away from the region through Tuesday. High pressure builds into the area Wednesday through Friday. A cold front moves into the region over the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 355 PM EDT Monday... Latest analysis indicates the center of the upper level low is located over northern WV/southwest PA and this can clearly be seen on GOES WV imagery. The associated sfc low pressure is centered off the NJ coast, and extends back to the W and SW into the central Appalachians as a sfc trough. This have continue to serve as a focus for widespread showers/tstms that have developed over the Mtns. However, over the local area there has been enough large-scale subsidence to keep most of the CWA dry thus far this aftn. High res modeled moisture fields suggest that this convection will make an attempt to push to the SE into this evening. Given the current conditions, with better low and mid level lapse rates off to our NW, have lowered PoPs a bit late this aftn/evening. Following the NAM Nest/HRRR simulated reflectivity for timing brings best chance for tstms through south central and central VA from 22Z through 01Z with highest PoPs to around 50% in the Piedmont, tapering down to 30-40% farther east as the storms encounter the less favorable storm environment. Severe threat will be rather limited unless a more organized line segment develops and can tap into the somewhat highest effective shear that is present. Will keep the HWO as is, mentioning gusty winds in strongest storms into early this evening. Heavy downpours will be likely in any storm. Storms expected to slowly weaken with loss of heating late in the evening with PoPs lowering from W to E. Relatively comfortable overnight with clearing skies and dew pts into the 60s except near the coast where they will hold in the lower 70s. Expecting at least patchy fog inland after midnight and have this in the gridded forecast. Lows in the mid 60s Piedmont to the lower 70s SE coast. Upper level low continues to pull NE and away from the region on Tue. genly looks like only a 20% PoP at most in the aftn and this may even be overdone. Partly to mostly sunny with highs in the upper 80s to around 90 F most areas, but with dew pts in the 60s (around 70 F near the coast). && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 355 PM EDT Monday... Models depict final shortwave diving SE and brushing the eastern shore Tue evening and will carry up to 30% PoPs there (with a 20% along the rest of the coast). Otherwise, a welcome drier period looks to take hold Tue night through Thu. High pressure builds into the area Wed and Thu with mostly sunny skies and warming temperatures. Under the influence of ridging aloft and a developing trough into the upper midwest/western Great Lakes, Thu looks mostly sunny again and will likely be the hottest day of the week with highs into the lower to mid 90s inland and upper 80s/lower 90s near the coast. Dew pts should mix out to the mid/upper 60s to around 70 F so heat indices are not expected to become headline worthy. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 355 PM EDT Monday... The ridge slowly breaks down Fri into the weekend. Will have mainly diurnal/aftn- evening tstms Fri with PoPs to 20-40%. Highs Fri into the lower 90s most areas. The GFS/GEM/ECMWF are into better agreement now over the weekend, with the cold front slowing down and stalling in the vicinity of the region. Will therefore maintain chc PoPs Sat/Sun/Mon (mainly in the aftn/evening with highest PoPs over the south). Temperatures will cool off a few degrees for highs (mainly 85-90 F) given more clouds and moisture. Lows will be mainly in the upper 60s to lower-mid 70s through the entire period. && .AVIATION /20Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 140 PM EDT Monday... VFR conditions prevail for the most part early this afternoon. Still some lingering MVFR ceilings occasionally at KPHF/KORF/KRIC/KECG, but overall trend on satellite is for diminished coverage. Winds are light as well and generally from the W/SW. Few showers around KSBY early this afternoon, so added TEMPO for those. Have also included VCTS at KRIC/KPHF/KORF, but delayed this until the 00Z-04Z time frame, based upon latest hi- res model output. In addition, have added some fog overnight at KRIC/KPHF, based upon conditions similar to this morning. Otherwise, VFR conditions through the 18Z TAF period. OUTLOOK... VFR conditions with decreased chances for precipitation Tue thru Thu as high pressure builds in from the west. Patchy late night and early morning fog each day. Next threat for more widespread showers/tstms and flight restrictions will be in the Fri/Sat time frame. && .MARINE... As of 315 PM EDT Monday... Upper low continues meandering to the NW of the area this afternoon. Low is expected to gradually move east through New England and out to sea by Wednesday. Region remains in a generally weak low level gradient regime through Wednesday, which means a continuation of overall good boating conditions on the Bay and coastal waters. There will be a couple of brief periods of winds getting to the 10-15 kt range. One is overnight tonight, lingering into early Tuesday. The second is Tuesday night/early Wednesday, across the southern Bay/southern coastal waters, as a weak front moves through the marine area. Otherwise, winds are expected to be 10 kts or less into midweek. Scattered showers/tstms may move across the southern half of the marine area this evening, and again Tuesday evening across the entire marine area. Otherwise, dry weather prevails through Thursday. Seas generally 2-3 feet on the ocean, and 1-2 feet on the Bay, slightly higher during the time periods mentioned above. && .AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. NC...None. VA...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS...LKB NEAR TERM...LKB SHORT TERM...LKB LONG TERM...LKB AVIATION...WRS MARINE...BMS/WRS
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wakefield VA 308 AM EDT Mon Aug 13 2018 MDZ021>025-NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>090-092- 093-095>100-509>525-140715- Dorchester-Wicomico-Somerset-Inland Worcester-Maryland Beaches- Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck- Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck-Fluvanna-Prince Edward- Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Mecklenburg-Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia- Powhatan-Westmoreland-Richmond-Northumberland-Lancaster-Brunswick- Dinwiddie-Prince George-Charles City-New Kent-Gloucester-Middlesex- Mathews-Greensville-Sussex-Surry-James City-Southampton- Isle of Wight-Norfolk/Portsmouth-Suffolk-Chesapeake-Virginia Beach- Accomack-Western Louisa-Eastern Louisa-Western Hanover- Eastern Hanover-Western Chesterfield- Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights)- Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond)-Eastern Henrico- Western King William-Eastern King William-Western King and Queen- Eastern King and Queen-Western Essex-Eastern Essex-York-Newport News- Hampton/Poquoson- 308 AM EDT Mon Aug 13 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, northeast North Carolina, central Virginia, east central Virginia, eastern Virginia, north central Virginia, south central Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. Heavy downpours and gusty winds will be possible in any thunderstorm. Minor flooding is also possible, especially in urban or low-lying areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
430 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
VAZ509-132115-
Western Louisa-
430 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN LOUISA COUNTY...
At 429 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 7 miles west of
Boswells Tavern, or 9 miles northeast of Charlottesville, moving
northeast at 15 mph.
Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph and rainfall amounts of up to 1 inch are
possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Boswells Tavern, Gordonsville, Waldrop, Vawter Corner and Green
Springs.
If you see lightning or hear thunder...you are at risk. Take shelter
indoors immediately. If you cannot find shelter in a building a
vehicle provides safety from lightning.
Motorists should use extra caution in the vicinity of this storm. Be
prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Heavy rain
could cause ponding of water on roads...and possible minor flooding
of ditches and poor drainage areas.
LAT...LON 3807 7825 3813 7821 3813 7818 3814 7815
3814 7812 3815 7811 3815 7809 3813 7805
3814 7801 3812 7798 3812 7797 3811 7793
3800 7829 3801 7831
TIME...MOT...LOC 2029Z 247DEG 12KT 3809 7833
JMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
458 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
VAZ048-509-132145-
Fluvanna-Western Louisa-
458 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN LOUISA AND
NORTHEASTERN FLUVANNA COUNTIES...
At 458 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Lake
Monticello, or near Palmyra, moving east at 10 mph.
Wind gusts in excess of 30 mph and rainfall amounts of up to 1 inch
are possible with this storm.
This storm will be near...
Troy around 515 PM EDT.
Ferncliff and Kents Store around 545 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Nahor, Bybee, Byrd
Mill, Trevilians, Zion Crossroads, Wilmington, Union Mills and
Wildwood.
If you see lightning or hear thunder...you are at risk. Take shelter
indoors immediately. If you cannot find shelter in a building a
vehicle provides safety from lightning.
Motorists should use extra caution in the vicinity of this storm. Be
prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Heavy rain
could cause ponding of water on roads...and possible minor flooding
of ditches and poor drainage areas.
LAT...LON 3796 7835 3801 7830 3806 7807 3783 7811
3782 7812 3789 7836
TIME...MOT...LOC 2058Z 266DEG 11KT 3794 7831
ALBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
535 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
VAZ048-061-062-509>511-132215-
Goochland-Western Hanover-Fluvanna-Western Louisa-Cumberland-Eastern
Louisa-
535 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT LOUISA...NORTHEASTERN
CUMBERLAND...NORTHWESTERN GOOCHLAND...NORTHWESTERN HANOVER AND
SOUTHEASTERN FLUVANNA COUNTIES...
At 535 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Hadensville to near New Canton.
Movement was east at 20 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph and rainfall amounts of up to 1 inch are
possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Louisa, Mineral, Hadensville, Fork Union, Columbia, Gum Spring, Fife,
Ferncliff, Bumpass, Kents Store, Duncan, Orchid, Louisa Airport,
Shores, Three Square, Irwin, Bremo Bluff, Cohasset, Tabscott and
Othma.
If you see lightning or hear thunder...you are at risk. Take shelter
indoors immediately. If you cannot find shelter in a building a
vehicle provides safety from lightning.
Strong wind gusts are possible with these storms. These wind gusts
are capable of knocking down tree limbs...small or weakened trees...
and blowing around trash cans...potted plants...lawn furniture and
other light outdoor objects.
Motorists should use extra caution in the vicinity of these storms.
Be prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Heavy
rain could cause ponding of water on roads...and possible minor
flooding of ditches and poor drainage areas.
LAT...LON 3811 7786 3810 7786 3810 7784 3807 7778
3806 7778 3805 7775 3802 7775 3803 7773
3801 7772 3799 7764 3795 7762 3796 7757
3793 7755 3792 7756 3791 7752 3765 7800
3767 7824 3769 7824 3774 7841
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 273DEG 18KT 3790 7799 3773 7833
JMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
546 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
VAZ064-132230-
Caroline-
546 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN CAROLINE COUNTY...
At 545 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Fort A.p. Hill,
or 8 miles north of Bowling Green, moving east at 20 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph and rainfall amounts of up to 1 inch are
possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Bowling Green, Milford, Port Royal, Fort A.p. Hill, Ladysmith,
Rappahannock Academy, Villboro, Nancy Wrights Corner, Guinea, Corbin,
Woodford and Cedon.
If you see lightning or hear thunder...you are at risk. Take shelter
indoors immediately. If you cannot find shelter in a building a
vehicle provides safety from lightning.
Motorists should use extra caution in the vicinity of this storm. Be
prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Heavy rain
could cause ponding of water on roads...and possible minor flooding
of ditches and poor drainage areas.
LAT...LON 3824 7731 3824 7729 3822 7729 3823 7728
3825 7727 3825 7723 3823 7725 3819 7725
3819 7723 3820 7722 3817 7718 3817 7713
3813 7710 3812 7715 3810 7714 3808 7717
3804 7713 3800 7763 3824 7738 3825 7735
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 254DEG 16KT 3817 7732
JMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
557 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
VAZ060>062-067>069-132300-
Goochland-Nottoway-Powhatan-Amelia-Cumberland-Prince Edward-
557 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT CUMBERLAND...PRINCE
EDWARD...NORTHWESTERN NOTTOWAY...SOUTHERN GOOCHLAND...NORTHWESTERN
AMELIA AND POWHATAN COUNTIES...
At 557 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a line
extending from near New Canton to near Evergreen. Movement was east
at 30 mph.
Wind gusts in excess of 30 mph and rainfall amounts of up to 1 inch
are possible with these storms.
These storms will be near...
Lakeside Village around 605 PM EDT.
Trenholm around 620 PM EDT.
Prospect and Darlington Heights around 625 PM EDT.
Powhatan, Hampden Sydney and Macon around 635 PM EDT.
Farmville, Hampden Sydney College and Longwood University around
640 PM EDT.
Manakin and Rice around 655 PM EDT.
Tuckahoe around 700 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Tuggle, Angola,
Hawk, Elam, Whiteville, Fine Creek Mills, West View, Grays Siding,
Holly Hills and Genito.
If you see lightning or hear thunder...you are at risk. Take shelter
indoors immediately. If you cannot find shelter in a building a
vehicle provides safety from lightning.
Motorists should use extra caution in the vicinity of these storms.
Be prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Heavy
rain could cause ponding of water on roads...and possible minor
flooding of ditches and poor drainage areas.
LAT...LON 3726 7868 3734 7860 3740 7859 3737 7858
3737 7857 3733 7851 3734 7846 3762 7826
3769 7824 3759 7762 3758 7762 3747 7778
3709 7838 3708 7848 3714 7852 3715 7855
3714 7859 3717 7863 3719 7864 3720 7869
TIME...MOT...LOC 2157Z 287DEG 27KT 3768 7826 3732 7883
ALBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
700 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
VAZ062-068-069-513-515-132345-
Goochland-Western Chesterfield-Western Henrico (Including the City of
Richmond)-Powhatan-Amelia-
700 PM EDT MON AUG 13 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CHESTERFIELD...SOUTHEASTERN
GOOCHLAND...NORTHWESTERN HENRICO...CENTRAL AMELIA AND POWHATAN
COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF RICHMOND...
At 659 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Powhatan,
moving east at 25 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and rainfall amounts of up to 1 inch are
possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Richmond, Powhatan, Goochland, Virginia Commonwealth University,
Tuckahoe, Moseley, Amelia Courthouse, Downtown Richmond, Bon Air,
Virginia Union University, University Of Richmond, Manakin, Macon,
Sabot, Laurel, Wyndham, Jetersville, Scotts Fork, Glen Allen and
Chula.
If you see lightning or hear thunder...you are at risk. Take shelter
indoors immediately. If you cannot find shelter in a building a
vehicle provides safety from lightning.
Strong wind gusts are possible with this storm. These wind gusts are
capable of knocking down tree limbs...small or weakened trees...and
blowing around trash cans...potted plants...lawn furniture and other
light outdoor objects.
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 3769 7791 3771 7761 3768 7756 3770 7752
3770 7749 3768 7748 3768 7744 3763 7743
3760 7745 3758 7742 3745 7742 3746 7746
3746 7749 3739 7752 3737 7751 3729 7760
3727 7766 3725 7792 3725 7804 3727 7811
TIME...MOT...LOC 2259Z 261DEG 27KT 3750 7785
JMThe Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 74 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:26 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Tree was downed and large branches were snapped on Deer Run Drive near Hull Street Road.
Tree was downed on Claridge Drive.
Tree was downed on River Road.
Tree was downed on Grant Avenue.
Multiple trees were downed.
Trees were downed near Topping and Syringa.
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: 782334, 782336, 782337, 782338, 782340, 782341.