A weak upper level storm system moving over a very moist and unstable environment spawned multiple clusters of severe thunderstorms that brought down several trees and isolated hail.
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.
A weak upper level storm system moving over a very moist and unstable environment spawned multiple clusters of severe thunderstorms that brought down several trees and isolated hail.
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 20, 12:40 PM EST, 19 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 140 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will remain over the region today into tonight resulting in a continuation of the hot and humid weather. A cold front approaches by the middle of the week bringing increasing chances of showers and storms Wednesday into Thursday. This front should finally work southeast through the area by the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 959 AM EDT Tuesday... Made some minor adjustments in temperatures utilizing the latest surface obs, their trends and blended in the NBM for late morning into this afternoon. The hot and humid weather continues with scattered strong to severe thunderstorms. MCS and associated shortwave across central West Virginia this morning will move east today. This may serve as a trigger for storms this afternoon. The SPC Day 1 convective outlook highlights a marginal threat for severe storms across most of the CWA. CAPEs are high, good low level lapse rates expected, and weak mean flow. Additional triggers orographic lifts, and surface boundaries will enhance storm development this afternoon into this evening. The strongest storms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail and heavy rains. More later this morning... As of 245 AM EDT Tuesday... Still mostly a persistence forecast again today with any patchy fog early giving way to afternoon convection within the hot/moist airmass across the area. This beneath high pressure and weak upper troffiness that will provide just enough cooling aloft and perhaps weak shortwave energy to help spark at least widely to scattered storms into this evening. Better focus to start development early this afternoon appears along/west of the Blue Ridge where models suggest slightly better low level convergence, per developing south/southeast flow, aided by an axis of higher theta-e and differential heating ahead of a weak shortwave to the northwest. Guidance then remains a bit uncertain with organization and just how far to the east any clusters/multicells might evolve given weak flow aloft. However does appear with outflow around and merging cells that even the east will see some isolated coverage by mid to late afternoon. Therefore covering most with chance pops including spots of likelys west/northwest where models seem to have some consensus. Latest forecast sounding profiles also suggest more of a pulse nature severe/heavy rain threat across the region per dry air aloft above high low level moisture within weak steering and steep lapses. This may again support isolated severe cells as indicated by the latest Day1 SPC outlook. Otrw partly to mostly sunny with highs again similar to the hotter NBM, in the upper 80s to mid 90s, including eastern heat indices of around 100. Isolated convection likely to linger espcly southeast into the evening ahead of a weak low sliding by to the southeast. Then expecting mainly partly cloudy elsewhere before patchy fog development takes place again overnight. Models also indicate that more low clouds may head into western sections in the wake of the passing low and deeper advection of moisture from the southwest. In addition, will need to watch the remnants of the projected upstream MCS that may make a run, or at least some development off residual outflow late tonight across the far northwest as winds aloft increase. Otrw trimmed back pops for the most part after early this evening with lows mostly 60s mountains to 70-75 east. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 300 AM EDT Tuesday... The upper level pattern will be gaining some amplitude through the end of the workweek, though the Appalachains and central mid Atlantic region will only be on the fringes of the trof moving through the northeastern US. This will ultimately push the slowly approaching frontal boundary into the region but ensemble guidance continues to show a slower timing and only slowly sags the front just south of the area by Friday night. The net result will be increasing chances for showers/thunderstorms along with increasing coverage through Friday. Guidance shows a series of short waves crossing the area and this will introduce the potential for upstream MCS development to slide into the region along the baroclinic zone. While guidance is ambiguous as to specifics it appears that the greatest threat will reside off to our west, where there is better instability, and to our north where dynamic support is more robust. Will monitor the convective trends closely over the next few days to see if the threat becomes better defined. Precipitable water anomalies will be on the increase as the baroclinic zone settles over the region so the potential for locally heavy rainfall and potential hydro issues will remain a concern through Friday. Expect temperatures to be trending cooler, moreso on Friday as clouds/precip and the frontal boundary keep highs in the low/mid 80s east of the Blue Ridge, mid 70s/around 80 to the west. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 345 PM EDT Monday... A pattern change will slowly evolve into the weekend as an upper trough centered across the Great Lakes continues to deepen and help push a west-east oriented cold front slowly south through the area. Models disagree on the speed with which the front will drift south of the area enough to shut off precipitation changes. At this point, that does not appear with strong enough potential to remove pops from any forecast period within this time frame. In fact, the weekend could be quite wet and unsettled as the front slowly drifts southward through the area. This front will eventually stall across the Southeast by the weekend. Given time of year and the overall lack of good upper-level support to push the front south, have kept high chance to even periods of likely pops across the southern two thirds of the region into the weekend. It appears from the viewpoint of most models that drying will be limited to northern areas, generally near and north of the I-64 corridor. Temperatures are expected to be a bit closer to normal as 850mb temperatures drop back into the mid and upper teens and clouds and precipitation remain abundant. Northern areas may eventually end up being warmer during the daytime than southern areas by the weekend, as clouds and precipitation will be more abundant south/east of the Blue Ridge. Nighttime low temperatures will likely remain at or above normal during the period, especially across southern areas. && .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 140 PM EDT Tuesday... VFR conditions will prevail this afternoon into tonight. Isolated to scattered MVFR/IFR showers and thunderstorms expected this afternoon into this evening. The best chances for thunderstorms will be along and west of the Blue ridge mountains. Mean wind aloft is forecast under 15 kts, so storm cells that develop should be slow moving. Any residual convection will fade with loss of heating this evening although isolated storms could linger into tonight per lingering instability and outflow. Otherwise, looking at mostly VFR conditions tonight with patchy fog/stratus late tonight into Wednesday morning. Some lower cigs associated with stratus heading up from the southwest riding up along the Blue Ridge late. MVFR ceilings are possible in the west tonight into Wednesday morning. Medium confidence in ceilings,visibilities and winds during the taf period. .Extended Aviation Discussion... The airmass will remain unchanged through mid-week with daily threat for showers and thunderstorms. A cold front will approach from the northwest later in the week, resulting in an uptick in shower/thunderstorm activity with potential for organized deep convection across the Ohio Valley which may move downstream and into the Mid-Atlantic region as an MCS or series of MCSs. Improving conditions with more in the way of VFR will be possible for the weekend, pending just how far south of the area the front makes it. && .CLIMATE... As of 250 AM EDT Tuesday... Record Daily Maximum Temps: Tuesday 8/20: ROA: 104/1983 BLF: 92/1914 DAN: 101/1925 LYH: 102/1983 BCB: 92/1983 Wednesday 8/21: ROA: 105/1983 BLF: 94/1936 DAN: 104/1983 LYH: 101/1983 BCB: 98/1983 && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...JH/KK NEAR TERM...JH/KK SHORT TERM...MBS LONG TERM...RAB AVIATION...JH/KK CLIMATE...PH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 407 AM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059- WVZ042>044-507-508-210815- 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- 407 AM EDT Tue Aug 20 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. Strong to isolated severe thunderstorms producing locally damaging winds and very heavy rainfall will be possible this afternoon into early this evening. Some hail may also occur with the stronger storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 1248 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 VAZ014-022-201730- Montgomery-Roanoke- 1248 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WESTERN ROANOKE AND EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTIES... Until 130 PM EDT. At 1247 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Elliston-Lafayette. the storm is nearly stationary. Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Salem... Glenvar... Elliston-Lafayette... Bradshaw... and Hollins. This includes The following Location The Salem Fairgrounds. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. LAT...LON 3734 7999 3718 8011 3720 8024 3736 8024 TIME...MOT...LOC 1647Z 205DEG 2KT 3723 8017 PW
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1258 PM EDT TUE AUG 20 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0912 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 E EVERGREEN 37.30N 78.73W
08/19/2019 APPOMATTOX VA EMERGENCY MNGR
ONE LARGE WHITE OAK TREE BLOWN DOWN NEAR A
CHURCH ALONG ROCKS CHRUCH ROAD.
0906 PM LIGHTNING 3 WSW PAMPLIN CITY 37.25N 78.74W
08/19/2019 APPOMATTOX VA EMERGENCY MNGR
LIGHTNING STRUCK A BARN ON LITTLE CUB ROAD
AND IGNITED A FIRE THAT DESTROYED IT
COMPLETELY.
0847 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SE APPOMATTOX 37.35N 78.82W
08/19/2019 APPOMATTOX VA EMERGENCY MNGR
A POSSIBLE MICROBURST BLEW DOWN SEVERAL
TREES, POWER LINES, AND POLES DOWN NEAR THE
INTERSECTION OF FLESHMAN STREET AND ANNIE
STREET. IN ADDITION, THE WINDS FLIPPED OVER
A WOODEN ROOF OF A DUGOUT AT A BASEBALL PARK
ON PARK LANE.
&&
PWPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
100 PM EDT TUE AUG 20 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0310 PM HAIL 2 ENE IVANHOE 36.85N 80.92W
08/19/2019 E0.75 INCH WYTHE VA PUBLIC
0319 PM HAIL DRAPER 37.00N 80.77W
08/19/2019 E0.50 INCH PULASKI VA PUBLIC
PEA TO 1/2 INCH DIAMETER HAIL.
0615 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SE SCOTTSBURG 36.75N 78.77W
08/19/2019 HALIFAX VA 911 CALL CENTER
SEVERAL TREES DOWN ACROSS THE EXTREME
SOUTHEAST PART OF THE COUNTY IMPACTING
SEVERAL ROADS, SUCH AS WOLFTRAP ROAD,
COLEMAN, AND MACDONALD RD., ETC..
0912 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 E EVERGREEN 37.30N 78.73W
08/19/2019 APPOMATTOX VA EMERGENCY MNGR
ONE LARGE WHITE OAK TREE BLOWN DOWN NEAR A
CHURCH ALONG ROCKS CHRUCH ROAD.
0906 PM LIGHTNING 3 WSW PAMPLIN CITY 37.25N 78.74W
08/19/2019 APPOMATTOX VA EMERGENCY MNGR
LIGHTNING STRUCK A BARN ON LITTLE CUB ROAD
AND IGNITED A FIRE THAT DESTROYED IT
COMPLETELY.
0847 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SE APPOMATTOX 37.35N 78.82W
08/19/2019 APPOMATTOX VA EMERGENCY MNGR
A POSSIBLE MICROBURST BLEW DOWN SEVERAL
TREES, POWER LINES, AND POLES DOWN NEAR THE
INTERSECTION OF FLESHMAN STREET AND ANNIE
STREET. IN ADDITION, THE WINDS FLIPPED OVER
A WOODEN ROOF OF A DUGOUT AT A BASEBALL PARK
ON PARK LANE.
0225 PM HAIL 2 N BLOWING ROCK 36.15N 81.67W
08/19/2019 E0.50 INCH WATAUGA NC TRAINED SPOTTER
CORRECTS PREVIOUS HAIL REPORT FROM 2 N
BLOWING ROCK. FIVE MINUTES WORTH OF 1/4 TO
1/2 INCH DIAMETER HAIL.
0117 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NE COLLINSTOWN 36.54N 80.34W
08/19/2019 STOKES NC 911 CALL CENTER
ONE TREE DOWN ALONG THE 2800 BLOCK OF
COLLINSTOWN ROAD.
&&
PWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
127 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019
VAZ014-022-201800-
Montgomery-Roanoke-
127 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN MONTGOMERY AND WESTERN
ROANOKE COUNTIES...
Until 200 PM EDT.
At 127 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Shawsville,
moving northeast at 5 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Christiansburg...
Shawsville...
Bent Mountain...
Elliston-Lafayette...
and Crockett Springs.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3725 8009 3712 8013 3711 8017 3711 8018
3710 8021 3710 8037 3728 8038
TIME...MOT...LOC 1727Z 210DEG 6KT 3715 8026
PWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
139 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019
WVZ042-043-201815-
Mercer-Summers-
139 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN MERCER AND
SOUTHWESTERN SUMMERS COUNTIES...
Until 215 PM EDT.
At 138 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Camp Creek. the
storm is nearly stationary.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Pipestem...
Camp Creek...
Ellison...
Camp Creek State Park...
and Flat Top.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3759 8113 3759 8109 3761 8107 3757 8091
3743 8109 3748 8121
TIME...MOT...LOC 1738Z 214DEG 2KT 3749 8113
PWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
148 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019
VAZ013-014-017-201845-
Pulaski-Floyd-Montgomery-
148 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN PULASKI, WESTERN
MONTGOMERY, AND WESTERN FLOYD COUNTIES...
Until 245 PM EDT.
At 147 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Graysontown.
the storm is nearly stationary.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Blacksburg...
Christiansburg...
Radford...
Dublin...
and Indian Valley.
This includes The following Location Virginia Tech.
This storm 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.
If you are on or near Claytor Lake, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
LAT...LON 3687 8059 3711 8072 3728 8039 3696 8035
3685 8057
TIME...MOT...LOC 1747Z 235DEG 4KT 3704 8056
PWThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 8 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:59 UTC.
8 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Two trees were blown down near the intersection of Daniels Run Road and Locust Grove Road by severe thunderstorms winds.
At least two trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds. One tree was blown down near Three Oaks Road and power lines were blown down near Burnt Chimney Road.
Several large limbs were downed by severe thunderstorm winds along Broad Street in Dublin.
A few large tree limbs were blown down by thunderstorm winds off Route 731.
One tree and a couple of large limbs were blown down by severe thunderstorm winds at Pedlar Dam.
A couple of large tree limbs were blown down by severe thunderstorm winds.
Several trees were blown down near the intersection of Chalk Level Road and Strader Road by severe thunderstorm winds.
Several tree were blown down by severe thunderstorm winds near the 5000 block of Strawberry Road.
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, August 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: 850251, 850255, 849873, 849875, 850252, 849876, 850253, 850254, 849877.