A cold front approaching from the north, triggers a cluster of severe thunderstorms across southwest Virginia during the late evening hours. These storms produced damaging winds that blew down a notable amount of trees and power lines.
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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 cold front approaching from the north, triggers a cluster of severe thunderstorms across southwest Virginia during the late evening hours. These storms produced damaging winds that blew down a notable amount of trees and power lines.
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 26, 7:36 PM EST, 20 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 836 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 .SYNOPSIS... An upper disturbance will move east along a front to the northwest tonight before shifting offshore Monday morning. The front will meander in the area into early Tuesday, before high pressure works in from the south. A cold front crosses the area Friday. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM MONDAY MORNING/... As of 835 PM EDT Sunday... Band of convection approaching from the west associated with a weak shortwave pivoting through the ridge, and well ahead of the surface cold front to the northwest should cross the west before midnight. However still questions with just how strong at least embedded storms will be given arrival shortly after sunset and within a marginally unstable environment per latest SPC analysis. In addition, the evening RNK sounding was quite dry with a weak cap aloft aided by deep westerly flow through the column. Low level moisture also limited to some degree over the west where dewpoints have fallen off due to mixed northwest flow since this afternoon. Latest short term models continue to struggle with this scenario, but do agree on pushing deeper convection over the western third before weakening heading east of the Blue Ridge around midnight. Appears may be a case where the band strengthens just entering the CWA per some support from upslope, and then weakens east to the Blue Ridge. Thus bumped up pops to a period of likelys far west and chance elsewhere mountains including slight pops east while including gusty wind mention western ridges. Otherwise should again see clearing behind the upper wave overnight with added fog espcly west where more rainfall looks to occur. Lows mainly 60s with some 50s valleys. Previous discussion as of 240 PM EDT Sunday... Mesoscale analysis this afternoon indicates axis of instability lined up from southern Illinois to central WV to northern VA. Unstable air resides across our area, but SBCAPEs exceeding 2000 J/KG staying north with less instability where warmer air aloft is limited development. As we head through late afternoon/evening a mesoscale convective vort (MCV) across southern Indiana, is progged to slide east/northeast to WV by this evening, but models show it shearing out some/weakening. However, with ample instability and about 35- 40kts of effective shear in our northern area, a cluster of strong to severe storms appears possible. SPC has kept the slight risk in, and in the past hour highlighted areas mainly north of a Bluefield to Roanoke to Farmville line in 40 percent chance of a watch. Still think the better threat of severe would be between 5pm and 10 pm. Winds will be the main threat, but isolated large hail and some rotating storms may occur, especially north of I-64. As we head through the night, the upper flow shifts more west- northwest, and most models showing weak shortwaves sliding to the area, but mostly keep coverage limited to the mountains, though possible bleed over to the piedmont is not out of the question, but by overnight, storms will be weaker. For probability of precipitation this evening running with high chance to categorical north of Bluefield-Pulaski-Roanoke-Amherst. Am not confident on how far east the cluster will make with some weakening expected by late evening. Toward morning, model showing low clouds and/or fog in the mountains, with a small threat of showers in the upslope areas of WV. Low temps remain above normal in the 60s. Monday appears less active as front heads southward into NC, then buckles back northwest over KY into Indiana. Upper levels show a vort axis pushing from KY into southern VA by early afternoon, so not completely dry. However, models show better support for at least high chance of showers/storms across TN/KY into wrn NC, so keeping pops in the slight to low chance range. Will have to see how upstream conditions evolve as to any storm tracks. Clouds give way to sunshine in the mountains and most will be mostly sunny in the afternoon. With the front nearby should not see too much change in temps, though could be a few degrees cooler at least in the mountains. Highs will range from the upper 70s to lower 80s in the mountains, to upper 80s to lower 90s east. Confidence in tonights forecast is medium, especially in regard to how far east thunderstorms make it, and lower for storm threat tomorrow. High confidence on temps tonight and somewhat lower Monday. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... As of 215 PM EDT Sunday... An upper ridge of high pressure will remain situated across the southeast U.S. and a long wave trough stays parked across the Rockies. A baroclinic zone will be situated between the two and extend from Texas to Iowa before heading east to Pennsylvania. Our region as a whole will have limited chances of precipitation during this portion of the forecast. Some weak disturbances will round the top of the ridge, following that part of the baroclinic zone that runs from Iowa to Pennsylvania. Our potential for showers and storms will come from the southern tail of these disturbances skirting the northern section of the forecast area. The frame where this looks most probable is Monday night into Tuesday, and then to a lesser degree on Wednesday afternoon. While the quantity of the showers and storms across the area on Tuesday is not expected to be great, those that develop might be on the strong side with gusty winds. SREF numbers hint at MUCAPE in the area of the storms in the neighborhood of 1000-2000J/Kg with 0-3km SRH approaching 100m2/s2 along with a 500mb-sfc mean shear vector of 30kts from the northwest. DCAPE is forecast to be in the range of 500-750J/Kg. Temperatures during this portion of the forecast will average 10 to 15 degrees above normal. Confidence in the above portion of the forecast is moderate to high. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 1245 PM EDT Sunday... During this portion of the forecast, we are expecting the persistent upper ridge that will have been parked over the eastern parts of the U.S. for the past several days to finally break down. It will be in response to both a closed upper low heading east through Ontario/Quebec and a weaker shortwave moving through the Great Lakes/Ohio valley region at approximately the same time Thursday night through Friday. These systems will not only flatten the ridge, but send a cold front our way. This front is expected to cross the area on Friday, but there may not be a lot of shower and thunderstorm activity associated with it. For one reason, it will be bringing limited moisture. A pre-existing fetch of Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic moisture will not be in place prior to its arrival. Second, while the upper ridge will be breaking down, the key element is that the front will be encountering the ridge to break it down, and thus have a hard time getting much precipitation farther east than our southeast West Virginia counties and perhaps the first and second tier of counties into southwest Virginia. Through the weekend, the region will be located within a long wave trough axis with periodic shortwave troughs moving through the area. A greater coverage of showers and storms is expected during the weekend because of this pattern. Temperatures will start this portion of the forecast averaging about 10 to 15 degrees above normal. By Sunday, temperatures will be cooler, but still averaging some 5 to 10 degrees above normal. Confidence in this portion of the forecast is moderate. The element with the greatest potential for variability and change as we get closer to these date will be the probability and location of the precipitation. && .AVIATION /00Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 640 PM EDT Sunday... Widespread VFR will continue into early this evening as the area remains in a well mixed/drier airmass to start given lingering west to northwest flow in place. Main concern will be later with an upstream disturbance and associated band of convection west of the mountains that models gradually shift east into western sections late this evening. Question will be how far east and south this tracks into this drier air espcly after loss of heating. Models tend to favor the KBLF-KLWB corridor with a broken band of shra/tsra, but weaken it while crossing out to the Blue Ridge. For now will include a vicinity mention out to KROA/KLYH and TEMPO in so lower conditions with showers at KBLF/KLWB/KBCB including some gusty outflow driven winds that could spill out ahead of the band. Appears iffy going east of the mountains with perhaps KLYH seeing some spillover of showers from the north as well, while KDAN should remain dry. Where things moisten up more espcly where showers occur, will again see pockets of fog and/or low clouds espcly western valleys at this point. This supports sub-VFR in spots including KLWB and KBCB after midnight when winds should be less as well. At the moment, after any fog/low clouds burn off in the 12-14z/8-10 AM time frame, with VFR into Monday afternoon under a drier northwest trajectory in the wake of the passing wave aloft overnight. Winds 5-12 kts with perhaps a few gusts to 20 kts on the ridges Monday afternoon. Extended Aviation Discussion... Mostly VFR conditions are expected across the region this week as high pressure offshore maintains a hot/humid airmass across the region. Exception is with evening/overnight fog but confidence low on individual details from day-to-day concerning fog development. Scattered mainly diurnally driven showers and thunderstorms can be expected through the week, becoming more numerous than in recent days during the latter half of the week as a front arrives with the drier days being Tuesday/Wednesday. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...WP NEAR TERM...JH/WP SHORT TERM...DS LONG TERM...DS AVIATION...JH/KK/RAB/WP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 504 AM EDT Sun May 26 2019 NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ015-016-032-043-271100- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Grayson-Carroll-Patrick-Henry- 504 AM EDT Sun May 26 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, south central Virginia and southwest Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ011-018>020-023-024-034-035-045>047-WVZ042>044-507-508-271100- Giles-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Bedford-Amherst- Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Mercer-Summers-Monroe- Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 504 AM EDT Sun May 26 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. Scattered thunderstorms are expected again this afternoon and evening, possibly lingering into the early nighttime hours. Large hail and damaging wind gusts will be the main threats, but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. The stronger storms will also contain frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and locally heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed. VAZ007-009-010-012>014-017-022-033-044-058-059-271100- Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Floyd-Roanoke-Franklin- Pittsylvania-Halifax-Charlotte- 504 AM EDT Sun May 26 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Virginia, southwest Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible again this afternoon and evening, possibly lingering into the early nighttime hours. Large hail and damaging wind gusts will be the main threats. The stronger storms will also contain frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and locally heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. RAB
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
844 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019
VAZ007-010-011-WVZ042>044-270130-
Tazewell-Giles-Bland-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-
844 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEAST WEST
VIRGINIA AND THE MOUNTAIN EMPIRE OF VIRGINIA...
Until 930 PM EDT.
At 842 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 7 miles west of Prosperity to 7 miles
west of Raven. Movement was east at 60 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and small hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Bluefield...
Bland...
Princeton...
Richlands...
and Tazewell.
This includes The following Location Mercer County Airport.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3715 8190 3724 8174 3720 8168 3721 8156
3727 8142 3751 8121 3758 8119 3759 8109
3772 8097 3768 8088 3783 8093 3787 8080
3773 8065 3769 8046 3704 8103 3702 8111
3705 8122 3700 8133 3703 8181 3711 8189
TIME...MOT...LOC 0042Z 269DEG 53KT 3787 8133 3711 8199
BMGThe Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 133 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:57 UTC.
13 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree from Route 460 about two miles north of Raven and another tree near the town of Raven.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree about one mile east of Cedar Bluff, another tree about two miles south of Bandy, and yet another tree about one mile east of Bandy.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree about two miles west of Tazewell.
Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees for about a mile along Freestone Valley Road located southwest of Asberrys.
Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees from near Tiptop to just west of Bluefield.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree near Shawver Farm Road about five miles north of Burkes Garden.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree along Interstate 77 near Rocky Gap.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree on Grapefield Road about one mile west of Hicksville.
Thunderstorm winds blew down multiple power lines on Skydusky Road near the intersection with Route 42.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree near the intersection of Wilderness Road and Route 42.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree near the intersection of Route 644 and Newbern Road.
Thunderstorm winds blew down three trees on Mountain Lake Road.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one large oak tree across Pearman Road about four miles north of Blacksburg.
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: 818368, 818370, 818371, 818372, 818374, 818373, 818376, 818377, 818379, 818380, 818381, 818382, 818375.