5 inches in the heaviest bands over several hours on the afternoon of the 19th. Some flash flooding was reported in Pulaski and Galax.
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.
An area of heavy rainfall with embedded thunderstorms developed across the mountains of southwest Virginia dropping 2 to 3.5 inches in the heaviest bands over several hours on the afternoon of the 19th. Some flash flooding was reported in Pulaski and Galax. In Pulaski the COOP site (PSKV2) had a 24-hour total of 3.28 inches (ending at 700 AM on April 20th), most of which fell during a 6- to 10-hour period from late morning to early evening of the 19th. For this site was the highest on record for any April day with nearly complete precipitation records dating back to 1940 and 6th highest for any day. The old April record was 2.99 inches on April 26, 1978. For a 24-hour duration, the 3.28 inches falls in the 10-year (0.10 annual chance of occurrence) 90-percent confidence interval (3.25-3.75 inches), but it was a much more unusual event for the shorter duration in which the rain actually occurred, approximately 9 hours according to a nearby automated rain gage. The COOP site at Galax, VA (GAXV2) had a 24-hour total of 2.47 inches ending at 700 AM on the 20th which was the 5th highest April 1-day rainfall on record at this site. A CoCoRaHS gage north of Galax (VA-CR-3) measured 3.30 inches for the same period.
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 Apr 19, 1:38 PM EST, 25 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 238 PM EDT Fri Apr 19 2019 .SYNOPSIS... A strong cold front will bring showers and thunderstorms through tonight. Upslope showers could linger west of the Blue Ridge for Saturday and early Sunday. High pressure will arrive by early next week to provide drier conditions. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Friday... A special 15Z sounding was conducted to gauge the severe weather threat, and the shear numbers have significantly increased since the previous 12Z sounding. The 0-1 km wind shear in this special RNK sounding reaches 55 kt, while the 0-6 km wind shear is up to 74 kt. This shear environment is extremely favorable for supercells capable of damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes. The sounding also reveals surface CAPE of about 700 J/kg, so there is still enough instability for these storms to fire despite the prevalent cloud cover overhead. Reports of significant structural damage have already been relayed to us south of Rocky Mount, Virginia. A tornado watch remains in effect for most of southwest VA and northwest NC until 5 PM EDT. Needless to say, everyone should remain alert through this evening as these showers and thunderstorms track northeastward. In addition, these thunderstorms will produce heavy rain that could lead to hydrological issues. While they are moving at speeds up to 50 kt, it will be repeated rounds of rain from prefrontal convection and the eventual line along the cold front along with the potential for training that may lead to localized flash flooding and urban/small stream flooding. Precipitable water values have climbed to 1.25 inches, but there is considerable moisture advection still ongoing from the Gulf of Mexico courtesy of deep southerly flow aloft. The hydro threat could linger further into tonight after the severe threats taper beyond sunset. It is too early to tell whether any river flooding threats will materialize, but this facet will be closely monitored. The culprit responsible for the previously mentioned multitude of weather hazards is a strong cold front approaching the Mid Atlantic. A closed upper level low in association with this cold front is in the process of tilting negatively. After the frontal passage projected to be around midnight tonight, notably cooler air should arrive. Plentiful low clouds should shut down the low-level instability, but lingering showers may continue throughout the day along and west of the Blue Ridge. High temperatures by Saturday afternoon may not escape the 40s in the higher elevations. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... As of 230 PM EDT Friday... By Saturday night, the closed upper level low will slowly track overhead. With 850 mb temperatures falling below freezing overnight, lingering rain showers in the highest elevations west of the Blue Ridge could change over to light snow showers. Any precipitation should dissipate by Sunday as the upper level low heads toward the northeast. Low clouds could linger along and west of the Blue Ridge until later in the afternoon, but confidence is higher that drier conditions should ensue by Sunday night. High pressure will build over the Mid Atlantic to provide sunshine for Monday. The upper level pattern will be changing as well due to ridging aloft, so expect milder air to arrive for Monday and Monday night. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Thursday... Another cold front should cross over the Ohio River Valley by Tuesday, while its associated upper level trough swings through the New England states. The return flow of moisture along with diurnal heating could spark a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the mountains by the afternoon. It is worth noting that the ECMWF model is a little slower and drier for Tuesday, while the GFS indicates this slight chance. Wednesday appears to be more favorable for showers and thunderstorms as the cold front moves closer. The model solutions diverge notably by Thursday as the ECMWF becomes more progressive as it pushes the cold front offshore to bring high pressure by Friday, but the GFS stalls the frontal boundary to the north of the CWA during both days. Given that both models produce MOS high temperatures in the 60s and 70s for Thursday and Friday and the potential proximity of this boundary, there appears to be enough instability to advertise a general threat for afternoon showers and thunderstorms throughout this timeframe. Later model runs will hopefully paint more details to add confidence for this portion of the forecast. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Friday... The threat for numerous showers and thunderstorms this afternoon into early tonight has necessitated putting thunder in all TAF sites. Some of these storms could become severe and pose a significant threat to aviation with strong winds aloft, especially along and east of the Blue Ridge. MVFR/IFR conditions, heavy rain, and significant turbulence will likely accompany these storms as well. The convective threat should wane after 04Z as a strong cold front passes east of KLYH and KDAN. However, lingering showers and low clouds point to a high confidence of MVFR ceilings. It is possible that some ceilings may dip lower toward IFR, but a decent surface south wind overnight may prevent it from actually occurring. Conditions should slowly improve on Saturday morning, but it will be questionable if any of the TAF sites can leave the MVFR category. EXTENDED AVIATION DISCUSSION... A closed upper level low should move overhead during Saturday night, which will keep MVFR ceilings and lingering showers along and west of the Blue Ridge into Sunday morning. VFR conditions appear likely to return by Sunday evening. High pressure should bring good flying weather for Monday and most of Tuesday. However, the chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms will increase by Wednesday. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...PW NEAR TERM...PW SHORT TERM...PW LONG TERM...PW AVIATION...PW
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 1037 AM EDT Fri Apr 19 2019 NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ010>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-201445- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-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- 1037 AM EDT Fri Apr 19 2019 ...TORNADO WATCH 88 IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia and west 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. Tornado Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed. VAZ007-009-WVZ042>044-507-508-201445- Tazewell-Smyth-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 1037 AM EDT Fri Apr 19 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms that could produce large hail, damaging winds, and possibly a tornado. In addition, heavy rain could lead to isolated flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed. PW
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
206 PM EDT FRI APR 19 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0205 PM HAIL 2 W BOTTOM 36.49N 80.81W
04/19/2019 E0.75 INCH SURRY NC PUBLIC
&&
VFJPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
212 PM EDT FRI APR 19 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0211 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 W BOTTOM 36.49N 80.82W
04/19/2019 SURRY NC 911 CALL CENTER
TREE DOWN ACROSS LADONIA CHURCH ROAD.
&&
VFJPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
233 PM EDT FRI APR 19 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0201 PM TSTM WND DMG LOW GAP 36.53N 80.86W
04/19/2019 SURRY NC 911 CALL CENTER
MULTIPLE TREES DOWN IN THE LOW GAP
COMMUNITY.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
247 PM EDT Fri Apr 19 2019
VAZ019-020-191930-
Bath-Alleghany-
247 PM EDT Fri Apr 19 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT BATH AND ALLEGHANY
COUNTIES...
Until 330 PM EDT.
At 246 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Lake Moomaw to Selma. Movement was
northeast at 60 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Clifton Forge...
Warm Springs...
Hot Springs...
Lake Moomaw...
and Douthat State Park.
These storms 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.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 500 PM EDT for southwestern
and west central Virginia.
LAT...LON 3822 7971 3820 7956 3818 7951 3815 7953
3817 7947 3777 7990 3799 8000 3804 7997
3808 7995 3810 7993 3813 7995 3815 7992
3818 7992 3827 7980
TIME...MOT...LOC 1846Z 218DEG 51KT 3807 7999 3782 7986
DSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
252 PM EDT Fri Apr 19 2019
VAZ018>020-023-WVZ507-191915-
Bath-Botetourt-Craig-Alleghany-Eastern Greenbrier-
252 PM EDT Fri Apr 19 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT BATH, BOTETOURT,
CRAIG, ALLEGHANY, AND EASTERN GREENBRIER COUNTIES...
Until 315 PM EDT.
At 251 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Earlehurst to near Jordan Mines to
near New Castle. Movement was northeast at 60 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Alleghany...
Covington...
New Castle...
Jordan Mines...
and Oriskany.
These storms 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.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 500 PM EDT for south central,
southwestern and west central Virginia.
LAT...LON 3798 7984 3777 7986 3740 8014 3755 8014
3761 8024 3763 8022 3766 8028 3769 8029
3769 8032 3806 8003
TIME...MOT...LOC 1851Z 207DEG 51KT 3770 8026 3762 8010 3747 8011
DSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
257 PM EDT FRI APR 19 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0204 PM TSTM WND DMG 4 N BOTTOM 36.55N 80.78W
04/19/2019 SURRY NC EMERGENCY MNGR
BARN DESTROYED AND MULTIPLE TREES DOWN.
POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE.
&&The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 70 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:03 UTC.
2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Railroad Avenue and Fair Street in Galax were closed with water flowing across the roadway.
Emergency management reported 10 to 15 roads closed in and around the town of Pulaski and some flooding affecting businesses in the town. Some of the flooding was urban-type and some directly from Peak Creek. The IFLOWS gage along Peak Creek (PCRV2) rose rapidly and crested in about a 5-hour period at 8.30 feet, slightly above the Minor flood stage of 8 feet. Photos showed Peak Creek flooding several roads in the area including portions of Dora Highway and Crescent Street.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, April 2019
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: 821314, 821319.