Scattered thunderstorms formed in the afternoon hours thanks to a very moist and unstable atmosphere. There storms mainly produced damaging winds.
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.
Scattered thunderstorms formed in the afternoon hours thanks to a very moist and unstable atmosphere. There storms mainly produced damaging winds.
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 23, 1:37 PM EST, 1 hour 17 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 237 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will move through the Appalachians and central mid Atlantic region, bringing showers and thunderstorms to the area into this evening. A wedge of high pressure will then build in overnight and bring much cooler weather with some light showers possible for the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Friday... Visible satellite imagery shows that clouds have broken up and allowed for destabilization ahead of the cold front which has entered from the north and already cleared the Interstate 64 corridor. The current activity on radar is just starting to encounter the more unstable environment so anticipate convective trends will be increasing through the afternoon. Anticipate clusters evolving into more of a linear mode with a primary threat of damaging winds, particularly east of the Blue Ridge into Southside where better instability and shear will overlap. Will also be watching for development of deeper cores which may support large hail, as well as a small chance of rotating storms especially in the vicinity of the enhanced shear along the frontal boundary as it pushes in. Will also be alert for locally heavy rainfall and potential hydro issues. A strong wedge then builds in overnight with lingering sprinkles and some fog, along with much cooler temperatures for Saturday. Expect highs tomorrow only in the lower 70s east of the Blue Ridge with mid/upper 60s to the west. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... As of 230 PM EDT Friday... The wedge that will spread southwest through the region Saturday will remain in place well into early next week as it appears at this time. Temperatures will be much cooler than recent weeks, actually below normal for high temperatures, closer to normal for low temperatures. While the deeper moisture will be pushed further south by Sunday, the remains considerable question as to whether or not this moisture will remain far enough south of our area to allow at least the northern parts of the CWA to remain dry and with less cloudiness. Areas south of the Blue Ridge are most certain to remain cloudy through the period with periods of rain and/or drizzle. Upslope moist easterly flow will likely leave the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge, especially from Watauga northeast toward Floyd cloudy, cooler than normal, and with frequent periods of drizzle and/or rain through the period. Areas north of U.S. 460 should remain dry Sunday into Monday, but moisture will start returning northward by Tuesday as the frontal boundary dissipates. The entire period cloud end up being cloudy, damp, and relatively cool in the southwest part of the CWA, especially northwest NC, while areas closer to I-64 should see periods of sun and slightly warmer daytime temperatures. Hazardous weather during this period appears unlikely as the potential for thunderstorms will be minimal and rainfall, at least at this time, should be modest with a non- tropical atmosphere and lowered PWATS, that is the deeper moisture relegated further south of our CWA. With 850mb temperatures more in the +14C to +16C range compared to the +20C readings of recent weeks, maximum temperatures should be mainly in the 70s to lower 80s northeast, with lows mainly in the 50s west to 60s east. These readings are just a bit below normal. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Thursday... A much cooler and drier period appears to be in store for the into early next week. Highs will be 10 to 15 below what has recently been experienced with daily highs in the 70s or even upper 60s and overnight lows will be 50s west to low 60s east. Will certainly feel different. The surface high will shift north and east toward mid-week with increasing southerly flow and warmer temperatures along with renewed chances for mainly afternoon convection. An approaching front toward mid- to late late week will possibly trigger a few stronger thunderstorms in an increasingly warm and unstable air mass. A trough of low pressure currently along the FL coast has been given a 30 percent chance of tropical storm formation near the SC/NC coast in the latest NHC 5- day outlook but impacts on the local weather look to be negligible or minimal at this writing. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Friday... Frontal boundary is sagging southward through the region, and will continue to make slow progress before pushing just south of the region tonight as a cool wedge of high pressure builds in. This will result in generally VFR conditions, but lower flight conditions can be expected in showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy rain and gusty winds this afternoon into the evening. There will then be a fairly quick transition to IFR conditions as the wedge builds in with low cigs and some fog overnight into Saturday. There may be some gradual improvement in cigs toward the end of the period but will not get too specific that far out. Winds will be a bit gusty mainly along and west of the Blue Ridge early due to convective mixing, then become a bit gusty east of the Blue Ridge as the wedge surges in on robust northeasterly flow tonight. .Extended Aviation Discussion... Improving conditions with more in the way of VFR will be possible for Sunday, pending just how far south of the Mid Atlantic area the front progresses. Some MVFR showers are possible in the southwest Virginia and northwest North Carolina on Monday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms with MVFR conditions are expected Tuesday. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...MBS NEAR TERM...MBS SHORT TERM...RAB LONG TERM...RAB AVIATION...MBS/AMS
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 331 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019 NCZ004>006-VAZ017-032-033-043>046-058-059-240900- Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Floyd-Patrick-Franklin-Henry-Pittsylvania- Campbell-Appomattox-Halifax-Charlotte- 331 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 612 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ001>003-018>020-VAZ015-016-022>024-034-035-047-240900- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes-Yadkin-Grayson-Carroll- Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Bedford-Amherst-Buckingham- 331 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019 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...This afternoon and tonight. Strong to possibly severe thunderstorms are expected into this evening. The main threat will be damaging wind. Periods of heavy rain are likely on today and early night, increasing the threat of urban and small stream flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ007-009>014-018>020-WVZ042>044-507-508-240900- Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Craig- Alleghany VA-Bath-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 331 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. 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
1243 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019
VAZ019-WVZ044-507-231745-
Alleghany-Eastern Greenbrier-Monroe-
1243 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT ALLEGHANY,
EASTERN GREENBRIER, AND MONROE COUNTIES THROUGH 145 PM EDT...
At 1243 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Lake Moomaw to Asbury. Movement was
east at 55 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Alleghany...
Covington...
Clifton Forge...
Lewisburg...
and White Sulphur Springs.
This includes The following Location The West Virginia State
Fairgrounds.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3800 8000 3795 8005 3794 8003 3795 7993
3789 7989 3788 7975 3784 7969 3787 7966
3786 7961 3776 7967 3780 7982 3770 7992
3760 8015 3762 8017 3763 8022 3761 8023
3774 8067 3776 8067 3779 8066 3805 7996
TIME...MOT...LOC 1643Z 265DEG 48KT 3805 7990 3781 8056
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
128 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019
VAZ019-020-023-024-231830-
Bath-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Alleghany-
128 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT BATH, BOTETOURT,
ROCKBRIDGE, AND ALLEGHANY COUNTIES THROUGH 230 PM EDT...
At 128 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 7 miles north of Bells Valley to near
Jordan Mines. Movement was east at 55 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Lexington...
Buena Vista...
Covington...
Clifton Forge...
and Buchanan.
This includes The following Location VMI.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
LAT...LON 3818 7951 3815 7953 3817 7944 3809 7949
3788 7915 3780 7917 3779 7920 3781 7923
3779 7927 3766 7935 3761 7946 3757 7943
3749 7956 3745 7959 3748 7966 3754 7997
3766 8003 3760 8015 3766 8028 3824 7974
TIME...MOT...LOC 1728Z 252DEG 46KT 3814 7940 3770 8018
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
228 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019
VAZ023-024-034-035-045-231930-
Botetourt-Amherst-Campbell-Bedford-Rockbridge-
228 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT Botetourt, Amherst,
Campbell, Bedford, and Rockbridge COUNTIES THROUGH 330 PM EDT...
At 227 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Montebello to near Glasgow to near
Springwood. Movement was south at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Lynchburg...
Buena Vista...
Bedford...
Amherst...
and Buchanan.
This includes The following Locations Liberty University, The
National D-Day Memorial, and Lynchburg Airport.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3786 7915 3781 7917 3781 7914 3778 7911
3778 7907 3772 7907 3770 7902 3750 7894
3750 7895 3749 7894 3745 7901 3743 7902
3736 7898 3725 7917 3715 7952 3754 7988
3768 7942 3790 7916
TIME...MOT...LOC 1827Z 348DEG 24KT 3784 7916 3763 7941 3752 7979
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
249 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019
VAZ007-231930-
Tazewell-
249 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT TAZEWELL COUNTY THROUGH 330 PM
EDT...
At 247 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Jewell
Ridge and Bandy, moving southeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Bluefield...
Tazewell...
Cedar Bluff...
Burkes Garden...
and Jewell Ridge.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3719 8181 3724 8174 3720 8168 3721 8156
3726 8150 3728 8141 3727 8128 3723 8123
3722 8128 3717 8126 3715 8133 3712 8126
3709 8127 3704 8146 3701 8144 3699 8148
3700 8148 3702 8147 3700 8153 3713 8184
TIME...MOT...LOC 1847Z 292DEG 20KT 3719 8171
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
255 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019
VAZ047-231945-
Buckingham-
255 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT BUCKINGHAM COUNTY THROUGH 345
PM EDT...
At 254 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Wingina,
moving southeast at 35 mph. Other thunderstorms were developing near
Andersonville and just northeast of Gold Hill.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Buckingham...
Dillwyn...
New Canton...
Toga...
and Centenary.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
LAT...LON 3764 7825 3734 7847 3745 7870 3755 7882
3764 7877 3763 7874 3764 7871 3767 7872
3768 7869 3770 7869 3768 7866 3768 7864
3771 7865 3774 7863 3775 7844 3769 7824
TIME...MOT...LOC 1854Z 294DEG 33KT 3756 7872
RABSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 346 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019 NCZ004-005-232030- Stokes-Rockingham- 346 PM EDT Fri Aug 23 2019 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN STOKES AND WESTERN ROCKINGHAM COUNTIES... Until 430 PM EDT. At 346 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Hanging Rock State Park, moving east at 20 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Eden... Wentworth... Mayodan... Madison... and Walnut Cove. LAT...LON 3626 8034 3646 8034 3653 7978 3625 7980 TIME...MOT...LOC 1946Z 270DEG 17KT 3635 8026 VFJ
The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 122 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:55 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
One large tree was blown down by severe thunderstorm winds on Phoebe Pond Road.
A tree was blown down onto power lines by severe thunderstorm winds on Morning Star Road.
One tree was downed by severe thunderstorm winds at the intersection of Cluster Springs Road and Turbeville Road.
One tree was downed by severe thunderstorm winds on Hodges Street.
A tree was blown down onto Memorial Drive by severe thunderstorm winds and was blocking both lanes of traffic.
Lightning struck a tree at the intersection of North Fork Church Road and Wilson Road, causing it to catch on fire.
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: 850259, 850260, 850262, 850263, 850264, 850258.