Scattered severe thunderstorms in advance of a frontal boundary produced damaging winds across portions of central 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 in advance of a frontal boundary produced damaging winds across portions of central 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 30, 6:48 PM EST, 32 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wakefield VA 748 PM EDT Thu Aug 30 2018 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will remain anchored well off the Mid Atlantic and Southeast coast tonight through Sunday. A frontal boundary will linger across portions of the area tonight into Saturday, before washing out. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/... As of 345 PM EDT Thursday... Hot and humid conditions prevailed acrs the region late this aftn, with temps ranging fm the upper 80s to mid 90s. The heat, combined with MLCAPE values between 2000-3000 J/KG and an approaching frontal boundary fm the NW, has triggered isolated to sctd showers and tstms over portions of the area late this aftn. This activity will gradually push to the ENE twd the VA nrn neck and Lower MD ern shore this evening into early Fri morning. A few storms over the VA piedmont this evening could contain isolated damaging wind gusts. Otherwise, mostly clear to partly cloudy tonight with lows ranging thru the 70s. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 345 PM EDT Thursday... Not as hot but still humid Fri thru Sun. With the boundary lingering over portions of the area, continued chcs for showers and tstms (20-50%) will prevail, mainly during the aftn/evening hours. Highs on Fri, Sat and Sun generally 85-90F. Lows mainly in the lower to mid 70s thru the period. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 345 PM EDT Thursday... A 500hPa anticyclone builds back into the region by Monday, and is forecast to remain over the eastern third of the country for much of next week. The anticyclone will be centered over OH/PA/NY/NJ from Tue-Thu as it slowly strengthens. This will put much of VA/NC in (weak) easterly flow aloft. At the surface, high pressure will be anchored offshore for much of next week. While the core of the highest H85 temperatures (18-20C) will be N/NW of the region, expect more of the same conditions to continue. Afternoon highs will range from the upper 80s to lower 90s with lows between 70 and 75 degrees for much of next week. Isolated afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms will be possible throughout the extended period, with the highest coverage over the Piedmont. Capped PoPs at 30% given that the coverage of showers/t-storms will be relatively sparse. && .AVIATION /00Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 745 PM EDT Thursday... As of 745 PM, there is a cluster of t-storms stretching from the eastern Piedmont to just west of RIC. Expect this area of t-storms to propagate to the east before slowly weakening from now through 06z. T-storms will likely impact RIC from 00-03z, so included a TEMPO group to account for this. Not as confident about t-storms at the other terminals, so left VCSH in the TAFs for now. May need to amend if it becomes clear that t-storms will impact a given terminal. Regardless, expect brief IFR/LIFR flight restrictions due to +RA in any storm. Mainly VFR conditions after 06z tonight, with the exception of some patchy fog late tonight, mainly from RIC westward. Went ahead and added some MVFR BR at RIC from 08-12z. Expect SCT-BKN CU around 4-5k feet Friday afternoon, with isolated-scattered t-storms possible. Outlook...Chances for mainly isolated to scattered aftn/evening showers and t-storms continue this weekend, due to instability and lingering frontal boundaries. && .MARINE... As of 315 PM EDT Thursday... Bermuda high pressure will remain in control of the weather across the local marine area through at least the middle of next week. A weak frontal boundary will linger over the area through this evening, and then lift back N later tonight. Expect a SSW wind of 5- 15kt S of the boundary and N/NE 5-10kt to the N of the boundary. The wind will generally become E-SE 5-10kt by Friday aftn, but locally 10-15kt N of Chincoteague as high pressure builds across New England. The wind will become more sea-breeze (diurnally) driven over the weekend with a S-SW ~10kt morning/overnight and SE aftn/early evening. This pattern continues early next week as we remain under the influence of high pressure. Seas will mainly be 2- 3ft, with ~1 foot waves and 1-2ft at the mouth of the Bay. && .CLIMATE... Temperature data from the Norfolk ASOS (ORF) has been unrepresentative this month for high temperatures. Therefore, the daily highs have been substituted with data from the nearby co-op site (min temperatures have not been adjusted). && .AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. NC...None. VA...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS...TMG NEAR TERM...TMG SHORT TERM...ALB/TMG LONG TERM...ERI AVIATION...ERI/TMG MARINE...AJZ CLIMATE...
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wakefield VA 409 PM EDT Thu Aug 30 2018 MDZ021>025-NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ065-075>090-092-093-095>100- 517>525-312015- Dorchester-Wicomico-Somerset-Inland Worcester-Maryland Beaches- Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck- Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck-Mecklenburg-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 King William- Eastern King William-Western King and Queen-Eastern King and Queen- Western Essex-Eastern Essex-York-Newport News-Hampton/Poquoson- 409 PM EDT Thu Aug 30 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, northeast North Carolina, east central Virginia, eastern Virginia, south central Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms tonight could produce locally heavy downpours and strong gusty winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ048-060>062-064-066>069-509>516-312015- Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Lunenburg- Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Western Louisa-Eastern Louisa- Western Hanover-Eastern Hanover-Western Chesterfield- Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights)- Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond)-Eastern Henrico- 409 PM EDT Thu Aug 30 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, north central Virginia and south central Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms this evening will produce locally heavy downpours. There is also an isolated threat for severe thunderstorms with damaging winds being the primary threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. TG
Special Weather Statement...Corrected
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
725 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018
Corrected Typographical Error
VAZ060-302345-
Prince Edward-
725 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT WESTERN PRINCE EDWARD
COUNTY...
At 719 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from Centenary to near Prospect to near
Charlotte Court House. Movement was east at 15 mph.
Wind gusts in excess of 30 mph and rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches
are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Farmville, Hampden Sydney, Hampden Sydney College, Prospect,
Darlington Heights, Kingsville, Briery Creek Lake, Tuggle, Elam,
Briery, Allens Mill and Worsham.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.
Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3726 7868 3732 7863 3734 7860 3739 7859
3737 7858 3733 7851 3733 7847 3734 7846
3732 7844 3732 7841 3708 7845 3709 7848
3714 7852 3715 7855 3714 7858 3717 7864
3719 7864 3719 7868 3720 7869
TIME...MOT...LOC 2319Z 252DEG 14KT 3772 7850 3726 7855 3706 7859
05Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
731 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018
VAZ068-069-513-310000-
Western Chesterfield-Powhatan-Amelia-
731 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WESTERN CHESTERFIELD...EASTERN
AMELIA AND SOUTHEASTERN POWHATAN COUNTIES...
At 731 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Moseley, moving
northeast at 10 mph.
Wind gusts in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm.
Rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Moseley, Bon Air, Mannboro, Chula, Scotts Fork, Flat Rock,
Winterpock, Pilkinton, Midlothian, Subletts, Skinquarter, Holly
Hills, Genito and Clayville.
LAT...LON 3760 7780 3759 7774 3759 7770 3756 7765
3755 7760 3754 7760 3753 7759 3753 7757
3754 7756 3754 7755 3753 7754 3722 7779
3727 7797
TIME...MOT...LOC 2331Z 205DEG 14KT 3737 7777
SCALORASpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
738 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018
VAZ048-061-062-310015-
Goochland-Fluvanna-Cumberland-
738 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018
...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN
CUMBERLAND...WEST CENTRAL GOOCHLAND AND FLUVANNA COUNTIES...
At 738 PM EDT, thunderstorms with heavy rain were located along a
line extending from 7 miles north of Centenary to near Fork Union to
near Lakeside Village. Movement was northeast at 15 mph.
Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Palmyra, Fork Union, Columbia, Lakeside Village, Duncan, Scottsville,
Nahor, Dixie, Stage Junction, Shores, Central Plains, Bremo Bluff,
Antioch, Elk Hill, Cohasset, Hardware, Carysbrook, Pemberton and
Cunningham.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.
Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3793 7838 3785 7822 3772 7804 3762 7810
3767 7824 3769 7824 3769 7826 3771 7829
3772 7834 3773 7837 3773 7839 3777 7847
3780 7849
TIME...MOT...LOC 2338Z 247DEG 17KT 3781 7851 3778 7836 3764 7824
05Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
753 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018
VAZ060-310030-
Prince Edward-
753 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018
...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT WESTERN PRINCE
EDWARD COUNTY...
At 752 PM EDT, thunderstorms with heavy rain were located along a
line extending from near Mike to near Pamplin City to near Abilene.
Movement was northeast at 15 mph.
Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Farmville, Longwood University, Hampden Sydney, Hampden Sydney
College, Prospect, Darlington Heights, Kingsville, Briery Creek Lake,
Tuggle, Elam, Allens Mill and Worsham.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.
Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3726 7868 3734 7860 3739 7859 3736 7858
3737 7856 3733 7851 3733 7849 3734 7847
3731 7840 3730 7836 3708 7847 3710 7850
3714 7852 3715 7855 3714 7859 3717 7863
3719 7864 3720 7869
TIME...MOT...LOC 2352Z 222DEG 13KT 3717 7888 3723 7867 3715 7849
05Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
816 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018
VAZ081>083-090-512-514-516-518-310045-
Eastern Hanover-Charles City-New Kent-Prince George-Eastern King
William-Eastern Henrico-James City-Eastern Chesterfield (Including
Col. Heights)-
816 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018
...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN
PRINCE GEORGE...CHARLES CITY...NEW KENT...SOUTHEASTERN HENRICO...
SOUTH CENTRAL KING WILLIAM AND NORTHWESTERN JAMES CITY COUNTIES...
At 816 PM EDT, thunderstorms with heavy rain were located along a
line extending from near Roxbury to near Toano. Movement was
northeast at 20 mph.
Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
New Kent, Charles City, West Point, Talleysville, Roxbury, Norge,
Toano, Adkins Store, Tunstall, Rustic, Ruthville, Providence Forge,
Bottoms Bridge, Holdcroft, Barhamsville, Jordans Point, Eltham,
Taylors Corner, Chickahominy Shore and Croaker.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.
Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3754 7682 3752 7679 3750 7679 3748 7675
3745 7673 3740 7667 3737 7672 3737 7674
3735 7675 3729 7687 3727 7689 3724 7695
3725 7697 3722 7702 3735 7735 3764 7717
TIME...MOT...LOC 0016Z 227DEG 17KT 3747 7719 3734 7682
05Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
816 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018
VAZ048-061-062-068-069-310100-
Goochland-Powhatan-Fluvanna-Amelia-Cumberland-
816 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018
...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT CUMBERLAND...
WESTERN GOOCHLAND...NORTHWESTERN AMELIA...WESTERN POWHATAN AND
FLUVANNA COUNTIES...
At 815 PM EDT, thunderstorms with heavy rain were located along a
line extending from near Palmyra to Lakeside Village to near
Ballsville. Movement was northeast at 15 mph.
Wind gusts in excess of 30 mph and rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches
are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Powhatan, Goochland, Cumberland, Palmyra, Fork Union, Columbia,
Tobaccoville, Trenholm, Lakeside Village, Macon, Kents Store, Fife,
Sunnyside, Ballsville, Duncan, Morven, Angola, Maidens, Three Square
and Central Plains.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.
Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3795 7819 3795 7817 3793 7812 3761 7779
3733 7821 3754 7832 3764 7825 3769 7824
3769 7826 3771 7829 3772 7834 3774 7840
3781 7843
TIME...MOT...LOC 0015Z 217DEG 23KT 3782 7826 3767 7817 3752 7802
EIThe Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 87 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:21 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were downed on Moseley Road.
Trees were downed at Fordham Road and Hull Street Road in Chesterfield.
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: 782453, 782454.