Strong surface heating overcame westerly flow off the Blue Ridge to support a few brief severe thunderstorms across the Piedmont of south-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 RNK wrote it up.
Strong surface heating overcame westerly flow off the Blue Ridge to support a few brief severe thunderstorms across the Piedmont of south-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 Blacksburg, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 20, 1:58 PM EST, 3 hours 22 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
258 PM EDT Wed Jun 20 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
A weak front just north of the area will drift south into the
region tonight before stalling across the region through the
end of the week. This front will be the focus for scattered
showers and thunderstorms for the remainder of this week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 245 PM EDT Wednesday..
Overall showers/storms remain rather disorganized this afternoon with
bands of somewhat deeper convection likely to exit the east in the
next hour or two. This should leave much of the area in weak focus
over the next few hours with the residual surface front to the
north, and ahead of another wave/impulse riding in aloft for
this evening. Latest HREF/HRRR support this in having only scattered
to isolated storms continuing within the westerly downsloping
regime before perhaps a more organized band with the wave arrives
across the northwest this evening. However with this around the
time of loss of heating, may only be fading outflow driven showers,
so only keeping in a brief period of likely pops northwest and
mainly chance elsewhere for now.
Shortwave crosses from the west overnight as the surface front to
the northwest oozes in late. This could result in another round
of showers crossing the mountains after midnight where will keep
some low end pops. Otherwise looking at partly cloudy and muggy
overnight with patchy fog around. Lows generally 60s west to
around 70 east.
A bit more active day could be in store on Thursday as a front aloft
ahead of the main upper low to the west shifts east crossing the
mountains later in the afternoon. This axis of stronger lift coinciding
with the stalled surface boundary nearby may establish a conveyor belt
for convection to unzip along while lifting northeast within backing
southwest 850 mb flow later in the afternoon. However appears will
be less instability around per the front across parts of the region,
and more clouds ahead of the upper wave axis. Still with strong
diffluence and tropical type Pwats appears at least a heavy rain
threat, excluding perhaps the far south, with embedded deeper
multicell convection possible espcly near the surface front over
the northeast despite weak shear. Given support from the latest
ensembles will follow more in line with the faster HREF and
boost pops further to include a swath of categorical across
western/northern sections with a gradual increase to afternoon
likelys elsewhere. Highs not quite as hot as the last couple of
days but still around 90 southeast, and perhaps close to 90
Roanoke/Lynchburg if clouds/showers are less. Elsewhere looking
at mostly upper 70s western ridges to low/mid 80s near the Blue
Ridge per forecast thickness and latest guidance blend.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
As of 245 PM EDT Wednesday...
Good upper diffluence and high precipitable water values continued
to be forecast by several models. Thursday night still has a
elevated potential for heavy rain. Will be keeping probability of
precipitation high Thursday night and Friday.
Leading edge of the positive vorticity advection associated with the
upper low tracking out of the Ohio Valley will reach the central
Appalachians early Saturday morning with the mean trough axis
passing east of the Mid Atlantic region by early Sunday morning.
Bulk 0-6KM shear Friday and Saturday will be around 30 knots and mid
level temperatures are slightly lower so environment will be
supportive of thunderstorms. Models move the tropical moisture east
of the area on Saturday.
Enough clouds and rain to hold maximum temperatures in the 70s and
80s on Friday. Saturday highs will be close to normal. Overnight
lows will be mild, especially THursday night due to surface dew
points in the 60s to mid 70s.
Confidence for all elements is average.
&&
.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 215 PM EDT Wednesday...
By Sunday upper low has opened and will be moving northeast into the
Great Lakes. The trailing short wave crosses the region Monday along
with a surface cold front. Sunday night will have the highest
probability of precipitation with this feature.
Tuesday and Wednesday a large ridge builds over the eastern United
States. 500 MB heights over the Mid Atlantic region will be around
591dm. subsidence and warmer temperatures aloft will suppress
widespread thunderstorm development. Will keep Tuesday and Wednesday
near normal for temperatures and dry.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 100 PM EDT Wednesday...
Overall VFR to prevail at most sites this afternoon and evening.
However developing showers and storms will lead to areas of
sub-VFR espcly across northern/eastern sections through mid
afternoon and perhaps across the west again later today into
this evening.
There is potential for more organized deep convection this
afternoon and evening along a boundary to the north with
impacts mainly along and north of Interstate 64. However,
outflow boundary with strong wind gust may propagate as far
south as the VA/NC border toward sunset. Therefore have
continued the VCTS mention in all locations with an inclusion of
MVFR or worse in TEMPO groups along the KLWB-KLYH corridor and
perhaps KDAN pending release coverage. As this convection
continues to evolve, the forecast will be amended to narrow down
the timing and further locations of the stronger storms.
Winds will remain primarily be out of the west with speeds of 8
to 18 kts and gusts of 25 kts through late in the afternoon.
Much higher gusts will be associated with the thunderstorm
outflow boundaries.
Showers and storms should slowly fade with loss of heating this
evening. However potential for multiple upstream bands to slide
southeast with the front could keep shra/tsra going espcly
western sections past midnight. Otherwise should be mainly VFR
with some patchy MVFR level valley fog possible and elsewhere
where any showers occurred.
Next round of showers and afternoon thunderstorms will occur on
Thursday with another feature aloft propagating in from the west
by afternoon. This should bring better coverage of convection
espcly mountains Thursday with more in the way of periodic sub-
VFR with storms spreading north and east by later in the day
with the front across the region.
Medium to low confidence on exact timing of showers and storms at
any given TAF location. Low confidence with fog formation.
.Extended Aviation Discussion...
Frontal boundary is expected to remain stalled over the region for
the end of the week. This boundary will then become the focus
for added showers/storms again on Friday with varying VFR to
MVFR in clouds/showers with local IFR in areas of heavier
rainfall. The front will lift back north Saturday followed by
another cold front passing through from the west on Sunday. This
should result in improving conditions over the weekend with
only periods of sub- VFR likely in more scattered nature showers
and storms through Monday. Increasing moisture from rainfall
will also result in the opportunity for late night fog and
stratus for much of the period.
&&
.CLIMATE...
As of 245 PM EDT Wednesday...
Records for June 20...
Record Highs Record warm Mins
Bluefield WV 91 in 1952 57 in 1920
Danville VA 102 in 1933 65 in 1956
Lynchburg VA 99 in 1964 74 in 1924
Roanoke VA 101 in 1931 76 in 2009
Blacksburg VA 90 in 1994 68 in 2009
&&
.EQUIPMENT...
As of 400 AM EDT Wednesday...
The NOAA weather radio transmitter in Hinton, West Virginia that
is WXM72 and broadcasting at a frequency of 162.425 MHz is off
the air. Parts are on order to repair the transmitter, but there
is no known time of restoration. We apologize for any
inconvenience.
&&
.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...None.
NC...None.
WV...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...JH
NEAR TERM...JH
SHORT TERM...AMS
LONG TERM...AMS
AVIATION...JH/PM
CLIMATE...PM
EQUIPMENT...Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 906 AM EDT Wed Jun 20 2018 NCZ001>003-018-019-VAZ007-009>018-022-032-WVZ042>044-211315- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles- Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Roanoke-Patrick- Mercer-Summers-Monroe- 906 AM EDT Wed Jun 20 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...Today and tonight. Strong to isolated severe thunderstorms containing locally damaging winds are possible into this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Showers and thunderstorms could result in locally heavy rainfall Thursday and Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ004>006-020-VAZ033-043-044-058-211315- Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Yadkin-Franklin-Henry-Pittsylvania-Halifax- 906 AM EDT Wed Jun 20 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, south central Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Heat index values around 100 degrees this afternoon into early this evening. Strong to isolated severe thunderstorms containing locally damaging winds are possible into this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Showers and thunderstorms could result in locally heavy rainfall Thursday and Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ019-020-023-024-WVZ507-508-211315- Alleghany VA-Bath-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 906 AM EDT Wed Jun 20 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds will be the primary threat along with very heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Showers and thunderstorms could result in locally heavy rainfall Thursday and Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ034-035-045>047-059-211315- Bedford-Amherst-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Charlotte- 906 AM EDT Wed Jun 20 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia and south central Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Heat index values around 100 degrees this afternoon into early this evening. There is also a slight risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds will be the primary threat along with very heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Showers and thunderstorms could result in locally heavy rainfall Thursday and Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
429 PM EDT WED JUN 20 2018
VAZ059-202045-
Charlotte-
429 PM EDT WED JUN 20 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL CHARLOTTE
COUNTY...
Until 445 PM EDT
At 428 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were expanding
south along a line extending from near Keysville to near Wylliesburg.
Movement was southeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Keysville.
LAT...LON 3699 7847 3690 7849 3687 7851 3694 7858
3711 7851 3709 7848 3709 7846 3708 7844
TIME...MOT...LOC 2028Z 320DEG 21KT 3708 7846 3692 7853
DSSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 439 PM EDT WED JUN 20 2018 VAZ044-058-202115- Halifax-Pittsylvania- 439 PM EDT WED JUN 20 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL PITTSYLVANIA AND WEST CENTRAL HALIFAX COUNTIES... Until 515 PM EDT At 438 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Java, moving east at 15 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Java and Ridgeway. LAT...LON 3677 7908 3685 7928 3689 7926 3688 7903 TIME...MOT...LOC 2038Z 287DEG 13KT 3684 7919 DS
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 520 PM EDT WED JUN 20 2018 NCZ006-202145- Caswell- 520 PM EDT WED JUN 20 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL CASWELL COUNTY... Until 545 PM EDT At 519 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Bethel, moving east at 20 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Yanceyville... Bethel... Providence... and Hamer. LAT...LON 3642 7949 3651 7939 3648 7918 3633 7932 TIME...MOT...LOC 2119Z 286DEG 17KT 3644 7943 DS
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 546 PM EDT WED JUN 20 2018 VAZ044-202215- Pittsylvania- 546 PM EDT WED JUN 20 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY... Until 615 PM EDT At 545 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Gretna, moving east at 30 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Gretna... Mt Airy... and Chalk Level. LAT...LON 3681 7915 3692 7943 3701 7940 3699 7911 TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 281DEG 25KT 3694 7936 DS
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 552 PM EDT WED JUN 20 2018 VAZ007-010-WVZ042-202215- Tazewell-Bland-Mercer- 552 PM EDT WED JUN 20 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL...NORTHWESTERN BLAND AND SOUTHWESTERN MERCER COUNTIES... Until 615 PM EDT At 552 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Tiptop, moving east at 25 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Bluefield... and Clear Fork. This includes The following Location Mercer County Airport. LAT...LON 3717 8141 3724 8143 3732 8121 3720 8115 TIME...MOT...LOC 2152Z 257DEG 21KT 3722 8139 DS
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 600 PM EDT WED JUN 20 2018 VAZ044-045-058-202230- Halifax-Campbell-Pittsylvania- 600 PM EDT WED JUN 20 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN CAMPBELL...NORTHEASTERN PITTSYLVANIA AND NORTH CENTRAL HALIFAX COUNTIES... Until 630 PM EDT At 600 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Long Island, moving east at 25 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Brookneal... Hodges... Long Island... Straightstone... and Hat Creek. LAT...LON 3704 7926 3717 7916 3715 7890 3696 7900 TIME...MOT...LOC 2200Z 283DEG 20KT 3710 7912 DS
The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 107 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:18 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
One tree and a piece of fencing was blown down by thunderstorm winds along Whitehall Road.
A tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds near the intersection of Rock Barn Road and McKeever Trail.
Four trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds along Highway 92 between Highway 15 and Godseys Lane.
A tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds onto a car on 2nd Street, while another tree was blown down onto a home on Linden Avenue.
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, June 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: 754656, 754657, 754659, 754661.