A slow moving front across the Mid-Atlantic interacted with a very unstable airmass that was currently in place to produce a severe storm in the Lynchburg area with damaging straight-line winds, resulting in numerous reports of property damage.
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 slow moving front across the Mid-Atlantic interacted with a very unstable airmass that was currently in place to produce a severe storm in the Lynchburg area with damaging straight-line winds, resulting in numerous reports of property damage.
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 24, 1:21 PM EST, 5 hours 7 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 221 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front crosses the northeast United States tonight and Tuesday while high pressure remains over the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians. Tropical Storm Marco will track into Texas by Wednesday, then Tropical Storm Laura moves in the lower Mississippi Valley on Thursday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 200 PM EDT Monday... Starting out with southwest upper flow today and as a trough comes through the northern stream flow becomes northwest for late tonight and Tuesday. Short wave crossing into northern Kentucky will result in isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms over the mountains this evening and into the overnight. 12Z Models suggests two clusters of showers and thunderstorms moving southeast from the Ohio Valley then across West Virginia and Virginia on Tuesday, one in the morning and the next late in the afternoon. The track of this afternoon precipitation is farther north on the latest GFS compared to the NAMNest which would keep a bulk of the storms north of Hot Springs and Buckingham. Bufkit forecast soundings again support fog and stratus overnight. Expect mid and high clouds may limit extent of fog across northern North Carolina and extreme southern Virginia but low clouds will still fill in overnight. 850 MB temperatures will be slightly warmer on Tuesday so will keep maximum temperatures up a category or two in the lower 80s to lower 90s. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... As of 215 PM EDT Monday... For Tuesday evening, looking at the potential for a broken line of shower/thunderstorms to enter the Interstate 64 corridor shortly after sunset, ahead of a weak cold front dropping south across southern New England. Does not appear there will be enough push for this front to back-door its way across the Piedmont however, with the boundary stalling just to our north and east overnight before it is drawn back toward the Great Lakes on Wednesday. With the loss of daytime heating, expect most of the convection to fizzle by midnight. Expect generally widely scattered and disorganized shower/ thunderstorm activity on Wednesday as the central Appalachians remain under the influence of diffuse high pressure. Moisture related to the remnants of Marco will enter the central Appalachians on Thursday, making for increased coverage of afternoon convection. Believe coverage will remain hit-and-miss, but with precipitable water values approaching 2 inches during the afternoon/evening, heavy downpours will be likely, possibly resulting in localized flooding. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 215 PM EDT Sunday... Deep moisture will remain in place on Friday, supporting another round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, more so across the mountains, some of which will produce locally heavy downpours. By Friday night into early Saturday, moisture related to the remnants of Laura will be drawn across the central Appalachians, resulting in another round of widespread rainfall. Still some disagreement among the different weather models as to the timing of the heaviest rain, with the European model being the fastest, bringing the system across during the predawn hours of Saturday. The GFS remains slower, bringing the brunt of rain across more towards late Saturday morning. Regardless, the models seem in agreement that this will be a fast-moving system, with drying conditions taking place by late afternoon as a trailing cold front sweeps across the region. Cooler and drier weather can be expected for Sunday thanks to Canadian high pressure building southward from the Great Lakes region. && .AVIATION /19Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 155 PM EDT Monday... Scattered thunderstorms will continue this afternoon and evening, with the best coverage in the mountains through 00Z/8PM. By 03Z/11PM a majority of the storms will weaken and dissipate. Stratus will develop overnight across southern Virginia and northern North Carolina. Fog will also form but the extent will be more dependent on the mid and high clouds across the Tennessee Valley and Carolinas. Expect patchy LIFR fog is likely late tonight, after 08Z, where there is less cloud cover. For now have included dense fog at KBCB and KLWB. Similar to past few days fog and stratus will dissipate between 12-14Z/8-10AM. A short wave reaching the area early in the morning will generate showers and isolated thunderstorms, mainly north of KBLF in the morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected again in the afternoon with the associated MVFR ceilings and visibility. Average confidence in thunderstorms location and timing, visibility and ceiling. Above average confidence in wind. Extended Aviation Discussion... At this time Tropical Storms Laura and Marco appear to be tracking around a the upper high over the Southeast U.S. and will track toward LA and/or TX and initially should not be a concern for our region through Thursday. Will have to watch rain potential and more widespread IFR by Friday. Dry weather and VFR conditions are expected behind the remnants of the tropical systems. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...AMS NEAR TERM...AMS SHORT TERM...NF LONG TERM...NF AVIATION...AMS
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 353 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ009-012-015-016-032-043-252000- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Smyth-Wythe-Grayson-Carroll-Patrick-Henry- 353 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, south central Virginia and southwest Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Isolated to scattered showers and storms will continue through the evening hours. Locally heavy rain will be possible with some of these storms, and if multiple storms cross the same location in a short period of time, the potential for localized flooding will increase. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ007-010-011-013-014-017>019-022-023-033-034-044-045-058-059- WVZ042>044-507-508-252000- Tazewell-Bland-Giles-Pulaski-Montgomery-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA- Roanoke-Botetourt-Franklin-Bedford-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Halifax- Charlotte-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 353 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Isolated to scattered showers and storms will continue through the evening hours. Locally heavy rain will be possible with some of these storms, and if multiple storms cross the same location in a short period of time, the potential for localized flooding will increase. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Isolated thunderstorms are expected both Tuesday and Wednesday late afternoon and early evening. Strong, perhaps damaging, winds may accompany a few of these storms each day. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ020-024-035-046-047-252000- Bath-Rockbridge-Amherst-Appomattox-Buckingham- 353 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Isolated to scattered showers and storms will continue through the evening hours. Locally heavy rain will be possible with some of these storms, and if multiple storms cross the same location in a short period of time, the potential for localized flooding will increase. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Scattered thunderstorms are expected both Tuesday and Wednesday late afternoon and early evening. Strong, perhaps damaging, winds may accompany a few of these storms each day. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
601 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020
VAZ033-043-242230-
Henry-Franklin-
601 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
NORTHEASTERN HENRY AND SOUTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES...
At 601 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Sydnorsville,
moving east at 15 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph, torrential downpours and pea size hail
are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Sydnorsville...
Penhook...
Snow Creek...
Oak Level...
Mountain Valley...
Figsboro...
and Sontag.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3682 7999 3690 7999 3696 7963 3681 7965
3673 7967
TIME...MOT...LOC 2201Z 275DEG 8KT 3684 7984
WPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
606 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020
NCZ003-004-VAZ016-032-043-242230-
Stokes-Surry-Henry-Patrick-Carroll-
606 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020
...AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN
SURRY...NORTHWESTERN STOKES...SOUTHEASTERN CARROLL... WEST CENTRAL
HENRY AND PATRICK COUNTIES...
At 605 PM EDT, radar indicated thunderstorms with heavy downpours
from Lambsburg to near Critz. Movement was northeast at 15 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with these storms. Rain will
be heavy at times and could produced localized flooding in poor
drainage areas.
Locations impacted include...
Mount Airy...
Flat Rock...
Stuart...
Ararat...
Cana...
Fancy Gap...
and Laurel Fork.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
LAT...LON 3656 8088 3656 8084 3658 8085 3673 8059
3673 8048 3671 8046 3673 8046 3673 7999
3660 8010 3648 8049
TIME...MOT...LOC 2205Z 244DEG 13KT 3657 8078 3667 8015
WPSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 629 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 VAZ033-043-044-242300- Henry-Franklin-Pittsylvania- 629 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL PITTSYLVANIA...NORTHEASTERN HENRY AND SOUTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES... At 628 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Snow Creek, or near Sydnorsville, moving east at 15 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph, torrential rain and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Callands... Sydnorsville... Penhook... Snow Creek... Sago... Mountain Valley... and Ajax. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. LAT...LON 3681 7992 3686 7995 3699 7954 3673 7948 TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 260DEG 13KT 3683 7976 WP
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
658 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020
VAZ043-044-242330-
Henry-Pittsylvania-
658 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT
SOUTHWESTERN PITTSYLVANIA AND NORTHEASTERN HENRY COUNTIES...
At 658 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Swansonville,
or near Callands, moving east at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Chatham...
Blairs...
Callands...
Swansonville...
Dry Fork...
Mountain Valley...
and Keeling.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3676 7972 3683 7969 3683 7967 3684 7966
3685 7924 3662 7927
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 275DEG 21KT 3675 7960
WPSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA 702 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 VAZ034-035-045-046-242330- Amherst-Campbell-Bedford-Appomattox- 702 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 ...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN APPOMATTOX...NORTH CENTRAL CAMPBELL...SOUTHERN AMHERST...AND NORTHEASTERN BEDFORD COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF LYNCHBURG... At 702 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered over Boonsboro, or near Lynchburg, moving east at 15 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Lynchburg... Forest... Rustburg... Coleman Falls... Madison Heights... Boonsboro... and Stonewall. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. LAT...LON 3742 7950 3755 7929 3749 7893 3723 7905 TIME...MOT...LOC 2302Z 290DEG 14KT 3744 7925 WP
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
728 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020
NCZ004-250015-
Stokes-
728 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT
STOKES COUNTY...
At 727 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered near Danbury,
moving east at 15 mph.
Torrential rains and winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Danbury...
Francisco...
Sandy Ridge...
Pine Hall...
Dillard...
Collinstown...
and Prestonville.
Torrential rainfall may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your
vehicle through flooded roadways.
LAT...LON 3643 8045 3651 8044 3653 8044 3655 8043
3654 8031 3654 8003 3649 8003 3629 8006
TIME...MOT...LOC 2327Z 290DEG 13KT 3648 8026
WPThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 95 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:28 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe storm generating damaging winds caused numerous trees, limbs, as well as some powerlines, to fall along a path in the Forest area.
A severe storm produced a swath of wind damage from east of Forest to the Timberlake area, downing many trees, limbs, and powerlines. Some trees and limbs fell on homes. At the Brookeville High School, these severe winds flipped and damaged an entire section of bleachers.
A severe storm produced a swath of wind damage across the southern part of the City of Lynchburg, from Laxton Road to Candlers Mountain Road. Damages consisted of numerous trees and limbs being blown down, as well as powerlines being downed along Enterprise Drive.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, August 2020
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: 914064, 914055, 914068.