A warm front lifting north through the area, triggered isolated afternoon severe thunderstorms over the Virginia Piedmont. These storms produced damaging winds that blew down multiple trees and power lines in the city of Martinsville and also blew down a couple trees in Buckingham County.
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 warm front lifting north through the area, triggered isolated afternoon severe thunderstorms over the Virginia Piedmont. These storms produced damaging winds that blew down multiple trees and power lines in the city of Martinsville and also blew down a couple trees in Buckingham County.
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 May 25, 6:39 PM EST, 36 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 739 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019 .SYNOPSIS... A frontal boundary will linger across the area at times into early next week. High pressure will stay situated across the southeast U.S. during the same time. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 200 PM EDT Saturday... Convection has rather shallow in terms of cloud heights early this afternoon. The cap has been stronger and observations outside and via webcams show top of cu spreading out. Still model soundings suggest cap will be broken or weaken this afternoon, so still expect a few stronger cells to develop. This seems most likely to occur in a corridor from northern WV to the Blue Ridge of VA with less coverage elsewhere. For now carrying highest pops from Beckley to Covington to Lynchburg and points north, with less threat further south over the NC piedmont and foothills, under more subsidence from upper ridge. Any storms weaken heading into late evening and exit to our east. Rest of the night stays mainly clear, though some high level moisture from upstream convection across the midwest may track into our northern area late. Fog will again make an appearance, especially where it rains and in river valleys. Tonight's lows will be in the lower 60s across the mountains, to mid to upper 60s east. Sunday will be drier, as ridge builds slightly and front erodes, as well as some increase in westerly component to increase downslope effect east of the Appalachians. The models favor a storm track from Illinois/Missouri east to north of I-64 and moreso from Ohio to northern VA. Will allow for some southeast momentum to convection to reach the Alleghanys in the afternoon, but will not bring chance of storms much further south than U.S. 60, except for a few isolated mountain storms. Another unseasonably warm day and likely warmer than today with west wind. Should see highs in the lower to mid 90s from Roanoke/Lexington east over the foothills and piedmont, with lower to mid 80s across the mountains, with some upper 80s possible in portions of the New River Valley and valleys of the Alleghanys. For record highs, see climate section below. Based on the forecast, Blacksburg seems the only place that may set or tie a record. High confidence in the forecast through tonight, and medium to high for storm threat Sunday. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... As of 240 PM EDT Saturday... While a mean upper ridge will continue across the eastern US through the first part of next week, the axis of the ridge will be just to our west. This will allow periodic surges of short wave energy to crest the ridge and slide in our direction while the old frontal boundary remains draped across the northern portion of the area. This will keep a chance for showers and thunderstorms in the forecast, especially north of route 460, with the potential for stronger storms to develop upstream and ride the wavy frontal boundary into the region from the northwest. The upper ridge will shift eastward a bit on Tuesday and nudge the lingering boundary a bit further northeast and looks to lessen our chances for convection heading into midweek. Conditions will remain sultry as highs reach the low/mid 90s east of the Blue Ridge with generally mid/upper 80s to the west. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 245 PM EDT Saturday... The upper ridge which has dominated the eastern US for the past several days will deamplify as a decaying closed low ejects out of the southwest, leaving us in essentially zonal flow heading into the weekend. So after one last day of relatively sparse convection on Wednesday, things will start changing for the end of the week. Remnant energy from the ejecting low will push a cold front through the Appalachians and central mid Atlantic region Thursday evening. Ahead of the front an amplifying low level jet will generate a good amount of shear but instability will be limited and frontal passage looking to be after peak heating will also be a limiting factor for vigorous convection. Believe enough ingredients will be in phase for the mainly unidirectional shear to develop some convective lines/segments with wind potential ahead of the approaching front. Will watch guidance over the next few days to see if confidence in the nature of a convective threat increases for Thursday. May see some upslope clouds/showers linger west of the Blue Ridge as high pressure builds in behind the front. Transient high pressure will then weakly wedge down into the region Friday night. As the high slides off to our east on Saturday convection may fire on the periphery of the retreating wedge with a good chance of showers and thunderstorms for Saturday. Conditions will remain hot and humid through midweek. Even after cooling down a bit behind the front temperatures will still be well above normal through Saturday. && .AVIATION /00Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 739 PM EDT Saturday... VFR conditions will prevail across the region this evening into tonight outside of diurnal convection. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms with localized MVFR/IFR conditions will diminish tonight with the lost of solar heating. The best chance of convection will be north of a BKW- LWB-CHO corridor, with less coverage to the south. After storms subside tonight, area of fog will form overnight into Sunday morning. The best chance of fog will be at LYH/LWB/BCB, with IFR to LIFR conditions possible. Morning fog and low clouds will erode or lift after 13z Sunday with VFR expected for Sunday afternoon. Medium confidence in ceilings,visibilities and winds during the taf period. Extended Aviation Discussion... VFR conditions are expected across the region into early next week as high pressure offshore maintains a hot/humid airmass across the region. Exception is with evening/overnight fog but confidence low on development at this time. Scattered showers and thunderstorms resulting in brief sub- VFR conditions are also possible Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening mainly across the north, and early next week across most of the mountains, but more isolated coverage for Monday-Thursday. && .CLIMATE... As of 815 PM EDT Friday... A new record high temperature of 85 degrees was set at Blacksburg Virginia today, while the old record of 92 degrees was tied at Roanoke. Please see the WBCRERRNK product for added details. High temperatures will be close to records at few climate sites Saturday through Sunday. The * shows records that may be tied or broken based on the current forecast. May 25th Record Highs: Bluefield - 87 in 1953 Danville - 96 in 1933 Lynchburg - 93 in 1936 Roanoke - 94 in 1953 Blacksburg- 89 in 1953 May 26th Record Highs: Bluefield - 88 in 1955 Danville - 98 in 1965 Lynchburg - 95 in 1936 Roanoke - 95 in 1941 Blacksburg- 85 in 2010 * && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...RAB/WP NEAR TERM...WP SHORT TERM...MBS LONG TERM...MBS AVIATION...KK/WP CLIMATE...AMS/JH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 934 AM EDT Sat May 25 2019 NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009>017-022-032-033-043-044-058-059-WVZ042- 043-261345- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson- Carroll-Floyd-Roanoke-Patrick-Franklin-Henry-Pittsylvania-Halifax- Charlotte-Mercer-Summers- 934 AM EDT Sat May 25 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ018>020-023-024-034-035-045>047-WVZ044-507-508-261345- Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Bedford-Amherst- Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 934 AM EDT Sat May 25 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and evening along and near the Interstate 64 and U.S. 60 corridor. A few of these storms could become severe. The main threat will be damaging wind gusts. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. 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
328 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019
VAZ023-024-034-035-252030-
Botetourt-Amherst-Bedford-Rockbridge-
328 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT AMHERST, BEDFORD, FAR NORTH-
EASTERN BOTETOURT, AND FAR SOUTH-EAST ROCKBRIDGE COUNTIES
...
Until 430 PM EDT.
At 326 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Sedalia, moving
east at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Glasgow...
Forks Of Buffalo...
Big Island...
Coleman Falls...
and Pleasant View.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, 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 3745 7909 3745 7918 3747 7920 3746 7924
3747 7958 3762 7958 3772 7918
TIME...MOT...LOC 1926Z 270DEG 24KT 3753 7949
BMGSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 331 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019 VAZ033-043-252015- Henry-Franklin- 331 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT FRANKLIN AND HENRY COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF MARTINSVILLE ... Until 415 PM EDT. At 330 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Collinsville, moving east at 40 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Martinsville... Bassett... Axton... Snow Creek... and Leatherwood. 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 3669 8003 3684 8001 3687 7964 3665 7969 TIME...MOT...LOC 1930Z 270DEG 24KT 3676 7991 BMG
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
340 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019
VAZ024-035-252015-
Amherst-Rockbridge-
340 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT AMHERST AND ROCKBRIDGE COUNTIES
...
Until 415 PM EDT.
At 340 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Buena Vista,
moving east at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Buena Vista...
Glasgow...
Alto...
Cornwall...
and Oronoco.
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 3789 7915 3786 7914 3784 7916 3782 7916
3781 7917 3781 7914 3778 7911 3779 7909
3778 7908 3775 7907 3773 7907 3761 7942
3774 7950 3791 7918
TIME...MOT...LOC 1940Z 251DEG 29KT 3771 7938
BMGSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 723 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019 VAZ032-033-043-260000- Henry-Franklin-Patrick- 723 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT FRANKLIN, HENRY, AND PATRICK COUNTIES ... Until 800 PM EDT. At 723 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Charity, moving east at 30 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and dime size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Martinsville... Bassett... Woolwine... Sydnorsville... and Villa Heights. 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 3669 8030 3686 8027 3686 7982 3663 7992 TIME...MOT...LOC 2323Z 277DEG 26KT 3677 8019 BMG
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
747 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019
VAZ033-034-044-260015-
Franklin-Bedford-Pittsylvania-
747 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT BEDFORD, FRANKLIN, AND
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTIES
...
Until 815 PM EDT.
At 746 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over North Shore,
moving east at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Moneta...
Huddleston...
Penhook...
Smith Mountain Lake State Park...
and Western Smith Mountain Lake.
If you are on or near Smith Mountain 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 3713 7940 3706 7944 3706 7941 3709 7940
3696 7941 3702 7975 3718 7974 3720 7939
TIME...MOT...LOC 2346Z 274DEG 22KT 3709 7966
BMGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
756 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019
VAZ043-260045-
Henry-
756 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT HENRY COUNTY AND THE CITY OF
MARTINSVILLE
...
Until 845 PM EDT.
At 755 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Fieldale,
moving east at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Martinsville...
Bassett...
Axton...
Leatherwood...
and Villa Heights.
This includes The following Locations The Martinsville Speedway and
Martinsville Airport.
Frequent lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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 3665 8006 3679 8006 3679 8004 3678 8003
3678 8001 3679 8003 3679 8001 3680 8001
3680 7986 3679 7981 3680 7979 3680 7976
3679 7976 3681 7974 3681 7965 3659 7970
TIME...MOT...LOC 2355Z 273DEG 22KT 3672 8000
BMGThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 53 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:14 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm winds blew down multiple trees and power lines in the city of Martinsville.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree on to Route 20 near the intersection with Glenmore Road.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree near the intersection of Slate Hill Road and Route 15.
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, May 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: 817129, 817130, 817131.