Hail and Damaging Winds in North Carolina, August 1, 2019

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in North Carolina, August 1, 2019
Start: 2019-08-01T13:25
End: 2019-08-01T17:37
Location: North Carolina

August 1, 2019 · NWS RNK · 3 events in 2 counties and zones

A slow moving upper level storm system moving through the area, combined with weak steering flow aloft, and ample heat and humidity allowed for isolated slow-moving severe thunderstorms to develop across northern North Carolina. These storms caused some isolated wind damage and hail.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $5,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 3

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS RNK wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

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 1, 1:07 PM EST, 18 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 1, 1:07 PM EST, 18 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
207 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

.SYNOPSIS...
Little change in the weather pattern is expected through
Saturday, as an old frontal boundary will combine with upper
level disturbances to keep showers and thunderstorms across the
Appalachians and central mid Atlantic region into the weekend.
The boundary will continue to weaken and erode Sunday through
Tuesday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 205 PM EDT Thursday...

In similar fashion to the last several days, scattered
thunderstorms have developed early this afternoon. Not a lot
of dynamic support for widespread organized convection, but
outflow boundary interaction, moderate instability, and elevated
DCAPE values will help storms produce strong gusty winds. Heavy
rainfall is also possible with the stronger storms, and while
precipitable water values are a bit lower today slow storm
motion and training cells will create some localized hydro
issues.

Expect a diurnal trend to convection, though there are indications
that boundary interactions will keep showers/storms going east
of the Blue Ridge a bit deeper into the night. There will also
be some fog, especially in the valleys west of the Blue Ridge.

With little change in the overall pattern and a steady supply of
subtle short waves, expect another round of showers/thunder on
Thursday with a continued localized severe/hydro threat.

Temperatures tonight will be mild with readings in the 60s.
Highs tomorrow will be cooler with readings generally in the
lower 80s east of the Ridge, mid/upper 70s to the west.

&&

.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
As of 205 PM EDT Thursday...

Weak frontal boundary should linger across the region into Saturday
night, shifting south Sunday. Airmass remains unstable/moist during
this time, though best coverage for storms will be Friday evening
and Saturday, with a bit of lull Sat night/early Sunday.

Will see best coverage closer to the front Sunday in the southern
forecast area. Temps will run close to seasonal normals for highs
and lows.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 205 PM EDT Thursday...

Models stay fairly consistent this period with a broad trough across
the Great Lakes into the Tennessee Valley. One shortwave moves
across Monday into early Tuesday, the another arrives by Thursday.
Adjusted pops based on the blend of the ECMWF and GFS allowing for
more coverage Monday ahead of the shortwave, with more diurnal/less
coverage Tuesday-Wednesday, the better chances for Thursday.

The airmass maintains the humidity and close to seasonal normals for
early August through the period.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 205 PM EDT Thursday...

Scattered thunderstorms have developed once again early this
afternoon and anticipate a scenario quite similar the past
several days. Expect a diurnal trend to convection, though there
are some indications that boundary interactions will keep
showers/storms going east of the Blue Ridge a bit deeper into
the night. Some storms will produce heavy rainfall and reduce
flight categories to MVFR/IFR. To cover the situation will
employ liberal use of VCTS, with an early tempo especially
along/west of the Blue Ridge, and amend as necessary. Also
expect some fog overnight, especially west of the Blue Ridge,
with some locations trending down to IFR/LIFR. Convection will
fire once again on Friday with VCTS for the latter portion of
the TAF period.

Winds near thunderstorms will be variable and gusty. Winds
outside of storms will generally be light.

.Extended Aviation Discussion...

A weak boundary will remain close to the region through
Saturday. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms with
periods of sub-VFR ceilings can be expected through Sunday or
Monday with coverage becoming less by early next week. This
pattern will also result in MVFR or lower clouds and MVFR fog
due to moist low levels, especially at night.

&&

.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...None.
NC...None.
WV...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...MBS
NEAR TERM...MBS
SHORT TERM...WHP
LONG TERM...WHP
AVIATION...MBS/AMS

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 1, 3:56 AM EST, 9 hours 29 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
456 AM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-
WVZ042>044-507-508-020900-
Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes-
Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-
Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-
Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-
Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-
Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier-
456 AM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina,
northwest North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia,
southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West
Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms may produce locally
heavy rainfall this afternoon until late this evening. Localized
flooding is possible. A few of the more intense storms may be strong
to severe, with the primary threat damaging wind.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected both
Friday and Saturday. The main hazard will be locally heavy rainfall.
The repeated may result in localized flooding. A few storms could
also be strong to severe, with the primary threat damaging wind.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 1, 12:24 PM EST, 1 hour 1 minute before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
124 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

NCZ001-018-019-011800-
Ashe-Wilkes-Watauga-
124 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT ASHE, WILKES, AND
WATAUGA COUNTIES...

Until 200 PM EDT.

At 123 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered over Valle Crucis,
moving northeast at 10 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Boone...
Jefferson...
West Jefferson...
Blowing Rock...
and Beech Mountain.

This includes The following Location Appalachian State University.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

LAT...LON 3630 8191 3636 8180 3634 8177 3633 8171
      3641 8174 3643 8172 3646 8171 3653 8161
      3635 8126 3611 8152 3612 8155 3612 8167
      3611 8181 3616 8183 3619 8186 3619 8188
      3621 8191 3623 8191 3626 8189 3629 8192
TIME...MOT...LOC 1723Z 239DEG 8KT 3621 8181

RR

Special weather statement, Aug 1, 12:37 PM EST, 48 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
137 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

NCZ002-003-011800-
Surry-Alleghany-
137 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN ALLEGHANY AND WESTERN
SURRY COUNTIES...

Until 200 PM EDT.

At 136 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Glade Valley,
moving east at 5 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Sparta...
Ennice...
Roaring Gap...
Cumberland Knob...
and Glade Valley.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

LAT...LON 3639 8095 3640 8097 3639 8098 3639 8104
      3641 8105 3642 8108 3643 8108 3644 8111
      3657 8110 3656 8087 3638 8088
TIME...MOT...LOC 1736Z 274DEG 5KT 3649 8102

WP

Special weather statement, Aug 1, 12:40 PM EST, 45 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
140 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

VAZ017-032-033-011815-
Franklin-Patrick-Floyd-
140 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT FAR EASTERN FLOYD,
NORTHERN PATRICK, AND SOUTHERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES...

Until 215 PM EDT.

At 140 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered over Endicott,
moving east at 15 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Woolwine...
Ferrum...
Endicott...
Fairy Stone State Park...
and Buffalo Ridge.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

LAT...LON 3674 8041 3692 8028 3694 7999 3678 8003
      3679 8004 3679 8007 3678 8010 3674 8009
      3672 8009
TIME...MOT...LOC 1740Z 266DEG 14KT 3687 8014

RR

Special weather statement, Aug 1, 12:55 PM EST, 30 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
155 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

VAZ018-011830-
Craig-
155 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CRAIG COUNTY...

Until 230 PM EDT.

At 154 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was developing near New Castle,
moving east at 10 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
New Castle.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is expected with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

LAT...LON 3757 7999 3748 8002 3748 8003 3747 8003
      3744 8005 3742 8008 3743 8024 3757 8023
      3760 8001
TIME...MOT...LOC 1754Z 275DEG 5KT 3749 8019

WP

Special weather statement, Aug 1, 1:06 PM EST, 19 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
206 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

NCZ001-002-019-011845-
Ashe-Wilkes-Alleghany-
206 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS
INTO WILKES COUNTY...

Until 245 PM EDT.

At 205 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms extending from
near Glade Valley to Todd. Movement was easst at 10mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph and dime size hail are possible with these
storms.

Locations impacted include...
Sparta...
Jefferson...
West Jefferson...
Laurel Springs...
and Glendale Springs.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

LAT...LON 3656 8109 3652 8092 3644 8098 3625 8143
      3631 8160 3635 8164 3637 8169
TIME...MOT...LOC 1805Z 092DEG 5KT 3648 8101 3630 8158

WP

Special weather statement, Aug 1, 1:15 PM EST, 10 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
215 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

VAZ017-033-011845-
Franklin-Floyd-
215 PM EDT Thu Aug 1 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN FLOYD AND WESTERN
FRANKLIN COUNTIES...

Until 245 PM EDT.

At 215 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Callaway. the
storm is nearly stationary.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Ferrum...
Check...
and Callaway.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

LAT...LON 3692 8022 3707 8021 3708 7995 3688 7994
TIME...MOT...LOC 1815Z 263DEG 4KT 3700 8012

WP

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 90 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:25 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Alleghany

When: August 1, 1:25 PM EST
Where: Alleghany County, 2.82 mi NNW of Glade Vly
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.520, -81.060

Thunderstorm Wind, Alleghany

When: August 1, 1:25 PM EST
Where: Alleghany County, 2.22 mi E of Sparta
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.500, -81.090

A few trees were blown down by severe thunderstorm winds in Alleghany Manor near the river.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rockingham

When: August 1, 5:29 PM EST to 5:37 PM EST
Where: Rockingham County, 0.21 mi W of Boulevard
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.501, -79.774

A few trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds just to the northwest of Eden.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in North Carolina in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history Warnings in North Carolina, August 2019

Sources

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: 848257, 848258, 848269.