Strong surface heating and low level convergence south of an approaching cold front was supported aloft by a passing upper level disturbance. This resulted in a favorable environment for multiple severe thunderstorms to develop along and south of Interstate 64.
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 and low level convergence south of an approaching cold front was supported aloft by a passing upper level disturbance. This resulted in a favorable environment for multiple severe thunderstorms to develop along and south of Interstate 64.
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 22, 1:53 PM EST, 3 hours 6 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
253 PM EDT Fri Jun 22 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
A frontal boundary will drift slowly north tonight as a wave of low
pressure along it moves east. Scattered to numerous showers and
thunderstorms are expected across the region into tonight. The rain
may be heavy at times. Low pressure will move from the Ohio Valley
to the eastern Great Lakes Saturday, then eastward across New
England Sunday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 253 PM EDT Friday...
Flash Flood Watch remain in effect until midnight for
VAZ046-047-058-059.
A closed upper low over Indiana this afternoon will open up and
northeast tonight into Saturday. Numerous showers and thunderstorms
have developed this afternoon in the unstable air across our region.
SPC Mesoscale analysis at 18z showed Surface based CAPES from 1k to
2500 j/kg and LIs from minus 2 to minus 4 across our forecast area.
The Effective bulk wind shear still demonstrates a pocket of 30 to
40 knot this afternoon. SPC in the Day One Convective outlook
continued a slight risk of severe weather in our northeastern
portion of the forecast area with marginal risk elsewhere.
There remains a potential for supercells. Damaging winds, heavy
rains and hail are the primary threat with deeper convection.
Showers and thunderstorms will move east across our area
this afternoon into tonight. HiResW-arw-east and HRRR capture
the main band of convection quite well for this afternoon. The
NAM,GFS and ECMWF showed scattered storms moving east across the
region tonight. Spokes of energy associated with the upper low
may result in lingering showers overnight especially in the west.
Areas of low clouds and fog will develop overnight especially
where heavier rain falls this afternoon. Low temperatures tonight
will range from the upper 50s in the mountains to around 70 degrees
in the piedmont.
With the movement of the low pressure center northeast, the warm
front will continue to advance north Saturday with the cold front
pushing east. The cold front should move across our area Saturday
afternoon into Saturday night. Shortwaves rotating around the upper
trough will enhance convection. The Latest day 2 convective outlook
placed a marginal chance to our east and to our west. In any case,
expected scattered showers and thunderstorms again on Saturday.
High temperatures will vary from around 70 degrees in the northwest
mountains to near 90 degrees in the piedmont.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
As of 253 PM EDT Friday...
500MB heights rising Saturday night through Monday night. Flow is
zonal Saturday night and Sunday with more ridging by Monday. A 60
knot jet streak over the West Virginia and Pennsylvania Sunday will
provide some shear and upper diffluence during the afternoon and
evening.
Downsloping winds and 850MB temperatures across southern Virginia
and northern North Carolina will result in above normal temperatures
east of the Blue Ridge on Sunday. Will stay on the warm side of
guidance for maximum temperatures.
Confidence for all elements is average.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 253 PM EDT Friday...
Upper ridge over the forecast area on Tuesday. Northern jet stream
remains progressive and models in decent agreement bringing the next
trough through the northeast United States on Wednesday and
Thursday.
Surface high pressure over the northeast and Mid Atlantic on Tuesday
will move offshore by Wednesday. This will mean a return of moisture
and a daily thunderstorm threat each afternoon and evening.
Potential for west to northwest surface to 850MB winds on Thursday
and Friday as seen on the ECMWF may limit areal coverage of
precipitation. Temperatures will be slightly above normal through
the period.
Confidence for all elements is average Tuesday and Wednesday and
below average for Thursday and Friday probability of precipitation.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 135 PM EDT Friday...
VFR/MVFR conditions with pockets of IFR/LIFR associated with
convection and frontal boundary expected this afternoon into
tonight. Gusty winds around thunderstorms may hinder aviation
operations.
North and east of the front cigs into IFR category across
central and eastern VA. Southwest of the front conditions
generally are MVFR to VFR. Scattered to numerous showers
and thunderstorms will spread east across our region this
afternoon into tonight. KROA,KBCB and KLWB all have a good
chance of having a thunderstorm this afternoon. Expect
areas of low clouds and fog to develop overnight with leftover
convection lingering especially in the west. Morning low clouds
and fog will lift by late morning return most areas to VFR and
MVFR.
Medium confidence in ceilings,visibilities and winds during the
taf period.
.Extended Aviation Discussion...
Similar conditions anticipated into Saturday with scattered
convection. The best chance of a thunderstorm will occur across
northwest portions of the forecast area. A cold front will
finally sweep through the region Sunday with improving
conditions Monday and Tuesday. Isolated to scattered MVFR
showers and thunderstorms are possible Wednesday.
&&
.EQUIPMENT...
As of 200 PM EDT Friday...
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...Flash Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for VAZ046-047-
058-059.
NC...None.
WV...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...KK
NEAR TERM...KK
SHORT TERM...AMS
LONG TERM...AMS
AVIATION...KK/PM
EQUIPMENT...Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 1033 AM EDT Fri Jun 22 2018 NCZ001>004-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>034-043-WVZ042>044-507- 508-231445- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Watauga-Wilkes-Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth- Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig- Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin- Bedford-Henry-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 1033 AM EDT Fri Jun 22 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible today. Thunderstorms may be capable of damaging winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Another round of strong to isolated severe thunderstorms may occur Saturday and Sunday. Very heavy rainfall may also result in localized flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ046-047-058-059-231445- Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte- 1033 AM EDT Fri Jun 22 2018 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia and south central Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch through this evening. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with heavy rains are possible today. Thunderstorms may be capable of damaging winds, and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Another round of strong to isolated severe thunderstorms may occur Saturday and Sunday. Very heavy rainfall may also result in localized flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ005-006-VAZ035-044-045-231445- Rockingham-Caswell-Amherst-Pittsylvania-Campbell- 1033 AM EDT Fri Jun 22 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, central Virginia and south central Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible today. Thunderstorms may be capable of damaging winds, and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Another round of strong to isolated severe thunderstorms may occur Saturday and Sunday. Very heavy rainfall may also result in localized flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
534 PM EDT FRI JUN 22 2018
WVZ042-043-222200-
Mercer-Summers-
534 PM EDT FRI JUN 22 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
SOUTHWESTERN SUMMERS AND NORTHEASTERN MERCER COUNTIES...
Until 600 PM EDT
At 534 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Flat Top,
moving east at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Pipestem...
Ellison...
Camp Creek State Park...
Flat Top...
and Jumping Branch.
LAT...LON 3750 8085 3750 8120 3753 8121 3754 8120
3757 8120 3758 8119 3760 8114 3759 8112
3759 8109 3761 8106 3763 8107 3764 8107
3766 8103 3769 8099
TIME...MOT...LOC 2134Z 253DEG 19KT 3757 8114
RSSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 534 PM EDT FRI JUN 22 2018 VAZ014-017-022-033-222215- Franklin-Floyd-Montgomery-Roanoke- 534 PM EDT FRI JUN 22 2018 ...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN ROANOKE...FLOYD...NORTHWESTERN FRANKLIN AND SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTIES... Until 615 PM EDT At 534 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered over Alum Ridge, moving northeast at 35 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Christiansburg... Floyd... Boones Mill... Pilot... and Copper Hill. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. LAT...LON 3682 8046 3693 8056 3725 8022 3710 7988 TIME...MOT...LOC 2134Z 229DEG 29KT 3692 8042 AS
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
542 PM EDT FRI JUN 22 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0322 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 WNW SALEM CITY 37.30N 80.09W
06/22/2018 ROANOKE VA 911 CALL CENTER
ONE POWER LINE BLOWN DOWN BY THUNDERSTORM WINDS ALONG
SHIRLEY ROAD
&&
PWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
544 PM EDT FRI JUN 22 2018
VAZ017-032-033-043-222230-
Henry-Franklin-Patrick-Floyd-
544 PM EDT FRI JUN 22 2018
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN
FLOYD...NORTHWESTERN HENRY...FRANKLIN AND PATRICK COUNTIES...
Until 630 PM EDT
At 544 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered over Endicott,
moving northeast at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Rocky Mount...
Stuart...
Ferrum...
Penhook...
and Bassett.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3679 8053 3712 7992 3698 7961 3693 7962
3655 8031
TIME...MOT...LOC 2144Z 229DEG 28KT 3685 8014
ASPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
547 PM EDT FRI JUN 22 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0330 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 W ROANOKE 37.28N 80.05W
06/22/2018 CITY OF SALEM VA PUBLIC
LARGE LIMBED SNAPPED ON TREE OFF TENNESSEE STREET.
&&
WHPPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
558 PM EDT FRI JUN 22 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0352 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 NNE FOREST 37.41N 79.26W
06/22/2018 BEDFORD VA 911 CALL CENTER
ONE TREE BLOWN DOWN BY THUNDERSTORM WINDS NEAR THE
INTERSECTION OF SHADWELL DRIVE AND HAWKINS MILL ROAD
&&
PWThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 85 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:59 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds along Fairway Drive.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds along Morgan Drive, while another was blown down along Shirley Road.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds near the intersection of East Washington Street and Holt Lane.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in West Virginia in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in West 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: 766188, 766191, 766189.