Heat and plentiful low level moisture led to the development of instability and therefore scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon of July 4th. While forcing was limited, one of the thunderstorms did briefly become pulse severe.
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 LWX wrote it up.
Heat and plentiful low level moisture led to the development of instability and therefore scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon of July 4th. While forcing was limited, one of the thunderstorms did briefly become pulse severe.
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 Baltimore/Washington wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 4, 2:05 PM EST, 40 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
305 PM EDT Thu Jul 4 2019
.SYNOPSIS...
Surface high pressure will remain over the southeastern U.S.
through the end of the week. A weak cold front will approach
this weekend, before settling to our south early next week.
Thereafter, Canadian high pressure will build over the region
through the middle of next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
So far this afternoon, convection has fired over the Baltimore
metro where early heating was maximized coincident with theta-e
advection, with a second area developing over the Potomac
Highlands due to terrain circulations and an approaching MCV.
Mid level clouds helped keep a lid on other areas, but now that
clearing is taking place and outflow boundaries are being
established, would expect additional convection to develop and
spread westward/eastward from the aforementioned areas. Besides
the persistent threat of lightning with thunderstorms, the
highest threat of the day will be flash flooding. Precipitable
water values are near or above 2 inches, and storm motions will
likely be less than 10 mph. Currently have Flash Flood Watches
in effect where flash flood guidance is lower, and it will take
less rain to produce flash flooding. Mid level lapse rates are
weak and shear is almost non-existent, but due to the abundant
instability, a few pulse severe storms producing localized
damaging winds aren't out of the question. Heat indices are
peaking in the 100-105 range in some areas, but the highest
values are mostly confined near the Bay where dew points are
higher. Storms and outflow will likely mean any heat indices
above advisory criteria should be short lived.
As the two areas of convection propagate through the remainder
of the day due to slight differences in the steering flow, there
appears to be a convergent zone that will set up where storms
may merge this evening. Some guidance has fairly high rain
totals if this occurs, though it may occur south of our forecast
area. Given the southeast flow, there is some concern this could
happen near the central Virginia Blue Ridge, but given model
spread and higher FFG in this area, don't have the confidence to
expand the Watch. Along the I-95 corridor, there is some
indication the storms will be diminishing between the 6-8 PM
time frame, but there is still some chance of storms through the
evening.
While a few showers could occur late tonight given the moisture
in place, there should be a drying trend. Some fog may develop,
and it's possible it could be dense, particularly in western
valleys where it rains today...if skies can clear.
&&
.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
The upper trough axis will cross the area Friday and Friday
night, so expected additional showers and storms during this
period, with the afternoon and evening hours seeing the highest
coverage. Morning showers and cloud cover could aid in limiting
instability and ultimately thunderstorm coverage Friday
afternoon and evening, but PWATs potentially in the 2.25-2.50
inch range will result in more locally heavy rainfall.
Therefore, additional Flash Flood Watches may be needed,
especially in any areas that get heavy rain today. With less
insolation, there is some indication coverage could be lower
today, but wouldn't fully bet on that given lift in place.
Slightly lower temperatures are expected Friday, with highs in
the mid to upper 80s, which is near normal for early July.
It will remain quite muggy considering dewpoints stuck in the
70s.
As the first shortwave passes, mid level flow becomes slightly
cyclonic with additional shortwave energy approaching. There
will also be a weak cold front approaching from the northwest.
Additional showers and storms are expected once again Saturday
afternoon and evening as the front slides into the area late
Saturday night. Showers and storms likely a bit more progressive
in nature, but an isolated threat for flooding will persist.
Activity will wane Saturday night with temperatures holding in
the 70s.
&&
.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
A weak frontal boundary will sag to our south on Sunday and stall
over portions of central and southern Virginia. Temperatures will be
cooler than previous days, but ample low-level moisture will still
be in place with dewpoints in the low 70s. Showers and thunderstorms
will be possible to the north of the front across our area. Flow
aloft will be fairly weak, which will limit the threat for organized
severe thunderstorm activity. However, a few stronger wind gusts may
be possible with any stronger pulse thunderstorms that form. With a
stalled out front situated just to our south, and a moisture rich
environment in place (precipitable water values around 2 inches),
there may be a threat for flash flooding as well.
On Monday, the front will work a bit further south and winds will
switch around to easterly as high pressure starts to build to our
north. With the front working a bit further south, and slightly
drier air working in at the surface, areal coverage of storms should
be lower than previous days. With an easterly component to the low-
level flow, most of the activity should be focused across western
portions of the forecast area, where an upslope component to the
flow could help to initiate storms along both the Blue Ridge and
Allegheny Front. High pressure will continue to build to our north
on Tuesday, before sliding offshore on Wednesday. Overall Tuesday
and Wednesday should feature sunnier conditions, although an
afternoon pop up shower or storm can't be ruled out across the
higher terrain in western portions of the forecast area.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Main concerns for the next several days will revolve around
thunderstorms and fog. The main window for the
Baltimore/Washington metro will continue through mid afternoon,
but may taper off by early evening. The threat will continue to
increase at MRB/CHO through the afternoon, and may last the
longest in CHO. Under the strongest storms, IFR conditions are
likely with torrential rain, with wind gusts of 25-40 kt
possible. Amendments will attempt to capture radar trends.
Overnight, models show a trend for fog given low level moisture,
but this will be somewhat dependent on clearing skies. Have
indicated MVFR for now at climo-favored locations. There is also
some potential for sub-VFR clouds through early Friday morning
if fog does not form.
Afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms and late night/early
morning fog will continue to be possible Friday and Saturday.
Winds will remain light into the weekend, outside of convection,
trending southerly.
Prevailing VFR conditions are expected through the long term
period. However, brief reductions to sub-VFR conditions will be
possible in association with any thunderstorms that move over the
terminals on Sunday or Monday.
&&
.MARINE...
With high pressure parked south of the region, a light wind
gradient will continue to prevail over the waters resulting in
sub-advisory conditions. There will be a persistent threat of
showers and thunderstorms each day through Saturday, with the
greatest risk of Special Marine Warnings from gusty outflow
winds during the afternoon and evening.
Sub-SCA level winds are expected on both Sunday and Monday.
Thunderstorms will be possible over the waters on both Sunday and
Monday. Special Marine Warnings may be needed for any of the
stronger storms that move over the waters.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Anomalies continue to run above normal and are slowly increasing
due to winds turning southeasterly. Minor flooding is unlikely
through this evening's high tide (which will be lower
astronomically). There is potential for minor flooding by the
morning high tide, especially on the upper Bay. The threat for
minor flooding will continue to exist through Saturday as a
south southeasterly flow prevails.
&&
.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...Flash Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT this evening for DCZ001.
MD...Flash Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT this evening for MDZ011-013-
014-503>506.
Flash Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for MDZ501-502.
VA...Flash Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT this evening for VAZ052>054-
506.
Flash Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for VAZ025>027-
029-503-504.
WV...Flash Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for WVZ050-055-
501>506.
MARINE...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...ADS
NEAR TERM...ADS
SHORT TERM...ADS
LONG TERM...KJP
AVIATION...ADS/KJP
MARINE...ADS/KJP
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...ADSHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 1134 AM EDT Thu Jul 4 2019 ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ011-013-014-016>018-508-VAZ052>057-051545- Chesapeake Bay north of Pooles Island MD- Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD- Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD- Chesapeake Bay from North Beach to Drum Point MD- Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA- Tidal Potomac from Key Bridge to Indian Head MD- Tidal Potomac from Indian Head to Cobb Island MD- Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA- Patapsco River including Baltimore Harbor- Chester River to Queenstown MD-Eastern Bay- Choptank River to Cambridge MD and the Little Choptank River- Patuxent River to Broomes Island MD- Tangier Sound and the inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth Island-District of Columbia-Southern Baltimore-Prince Georges- Anne Arundel-Charles-St. Marys-Calvert-Southeast Harford- Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park-Fairfax- Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria-Stafford-Spotsylvania- King George- 1134 AM EDT Thu Jul 4 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and adjacent counties in central Maryland and northern Virginia as well as the District of Columbia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until 8 PM this evening for portions of the Baltimore Washington Metropolitan Area due to the possibility of slow moving storms producing locally heavy rain. An isolated incident of flooding is possible elsewhere. Scattered thunderstorms producing an isolated threat for damaging wind gusts will be possible this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Scattered thunderstorms will lead to an isolated threat for damaging wind gusts Friday and Saturday, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. Locally heavy rain may cause isolated flooding as well. Confidence remains low on exact timing and location of the potential hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be possible each afternoon and evening through the weekend. Please forward storm reports to the National Weather Service. MDZ003>006-501>507-VAZ025>031-036>040-050-051-501>508-WVZ050>053- 055-501>506-051545- Washington-Frederick MD-Carroll-Northern Baltimore- Extreme Western Allegany-Central and Eastern Allegany- Northwest Montgomery-Central and Southeast Montgomery- Northwest Howard-Central and Southeast Howard-Northwest Harford- Augusta-Rockingham-Shenandoah-Frederick VA-Page-Warren-Clarke- Nelson-Albemarle-Greene-Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper- Northern Fauquier-Southern Fauquier-Western Highland- Eastern Highland-Western Loudoun-Eastern Loudoun- Northern Virginia Blue Ridge-Central Virginia Blue Ridge- Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-Jefferson-Hardy-Western Grant- Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-Western Pendleton- Eastern Pendleton- 1134 AM EDT Thu Jul 4 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern West Virginia, northern and central Virginia, and central and western Maryland with the exception of Garrett County. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until 8 PM for portions of the western Baltimore-Washington suburbs, and until midnight tonight for portions of the central Shenandoah Valley and Potomac Highlands. Slow moving storms may produce locally heavy rain. An isolated incident of flooding is possible elsewhere. Scattered thunderstorms producing an isolated threat for damaging wind gusts will be possible this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Scattered thunderstorms will lead to an isolated threat for damaging wind gusts Friday and Saturday, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. Locally heavy rain may cause isolated flooding as well. Confidence remains low on exact timing and location of the potential hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be possible each afternoon and evening through the weekend. Please forward storm reports to the National Weather Service.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 1255 PM EDT Thu Jul 4 2019 ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ003>006-011-013-014-016>018-501>508- VAZ025>031-036>040-050>057-501>508-WVZ050>053-055-501>506-050100- Chesapeake Bay north of Pooles Island MD- Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD- Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD- Chesapeake Bay from North Beach to Drum Point MD- Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA- Tidal Potomac from Key Bridge to Indian Head MD- Tidal Potomac from Indian Head to Cobb Island MD- Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA- Patapsco River including Baltimore Harbor- Chester River to Queenstown MD-Eastern Bay- Choptank River to Cambridge MD and the Little Choptank River- Patuxent River to Broomes Island MD- Tangier Sound and the inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth Island-District of Columbia-Washington-Frederick MD-Carroll- Northern Baltimore-Southern Baltimore-Prince Georges-Anne Arundel- Charles-St. Marys-Calvert-Extreme Western Allegany- Central and Eastern Allegany-Northwest Montgomery- Central and Southeast Montgomery-Northwest Howard- Central and Southeast Howard-Northwest Harford-Southeast Harford- Augusta-Rockingham-Shenandoah-Frederick VA-Page-Warren-Clarke- Nelson-Albemarle-Greene-Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper- Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park-Fairfax- Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria-Stafford-Spotsylvania- King George-Northern Fauquier-Southern Fauquier-Western Highland- Eastern Highland-Western Loudoun-Eastern Loudoun- Northern Virginia Blue Ridge-Central Virginia Blue Ridge- Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-Jefferson-Hardy-Western Grant- Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-Western Pendleton- Eastern Pendleton- Including the cities of Washington, Hagerstown, Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Eldersburg, Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Baltimore, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, St. Charles, Waldorf, Lexington Park, California, Chesapeake Beach, Huntingtown, Dunkirk, North Beach, Lusby, Prince Frederick, Frostburg, Cumberland, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Lisbon, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jarrettsville, Aberdeen, Staunton, Waynesboro, Stuarts Draft, Harrisonburg, Strasburg, Woodstock, Mount Jackson, New Market, Winchester, Luray, Shenandoah, Stanley, Front Royal, Berryville, Lovingston, Charlottesville, Stanardsville, Madison, Orange, Gordonsville, Culpeper, Dale City, Manassas, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Montclair, Reston, Herndon, Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, McLean, Franconia, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Falmouth, Fredericksburg, Dahlgren, Warrenton, Turnbull, Hightown, Monterey, Purcellville, Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Big Meadows, Wintergreen, Romney, Paw Paw, Martinsburg, Charles Town, Shepherdstown, Moorefield, Bayard, Mount Storm, Petersburg, Elk Garden, Antioch, Keyser, New Creek, Ridgeville, Russelldale, Headsville, Fort Ashby, Riverton, Brandywine, Franklin, Oak Flat, Ruddle, and Sugar Grove 1255 PM EDT Thu Jul 4 2019 ...SEVERAL THREATS FROM THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAT TODAY... * Localized areas of flash flooding from torrential rain. * Localized areas of damaging wind gusts. * Lightning strikes. These are the three weather threats for any outdoor activities today. Stay weather aware, and find shelter if NWS warnings are issued or threatening weather approaches. Follow @NWS_BaltWash on Twitter, NWS radar on weather.gov, and any text alerts from your county, city, or event. While these threats will be limited to times under any of the numerous thunderstorms, heat will be an constant underlying threat as well. The temperatures will rise to within a few degrees of 90 for most. However, with the high humidity, heat index values will make it feel as high as 105 at times. Drink water, and shelter from the sun. If you start to feel unwell, find a cool place to go and medical assistance.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
226 PM EDT THU JUL 04 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0147 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 NW BOWIE 38.98N 76.75W
07/04/2019 PRINCE GEORGES MD 911 CALL CENTER
BRANCHES DOWN ON WIRES AT IN THE 3500 BLOCK OF MADONNA
LN.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1905030
CJLPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
252 PM EDT THU JUL 04 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0211 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 NNE MILLERS 39.69N 76.84W
07/04/2019 CARROLL MD 911 CALL CENTER
TREE DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ALESIA LINEBORO RD.
AND SCHALK 1 RD.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1905031
CJLThe Sterling radar (KLWX), 163 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:45 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown down at the intersection of James River Road and Porters 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, July 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: 844011.