A frontal boundary was positioned across the area and was weakening. However, it still acted as a focus for shower and thunderstorm development.
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 frontal boundary was positioned across the area and was weakening. However, it still acted as a focus for shower and thunderstorm development. A few of the storms grew to severe levels and produced damaging winds that downed trees.
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 Jul 24, 3:25 PM EST, 1 hour 26 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 425 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020 .SYNOPSIS... A weak front will dissipate over the area tonight. High pressure will cover the region through Monday. A potential change in the weather pattern arrives on Wednesday with the passage of a stronger cold front. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 425 PM EDT Friday... Isolated showers are heading southward as seen on radar. Hardly any lightning has been detected yet so far, but there still remains a slight chance for thunderstorms this evening as the activity reaches the Virginia and North Carolina border where there is a little better instability. Temperatures were also tweaked slightly upward. Roanoke has already achieved day 24 of the current 90-degree streak. Think we will see slightly less coverage tonight as modest instability tracks southeast, with high pressure approaching the central Appalachians after midnight. Saturday will be somewhat drier, and have lowered pops along/north of U.S. 460 east of the mountains. Should see high pressure overhead, though inverted trough across the Appalachians may shape the atmosphere for some coverage in the afternoon, though with lower pwats and somewhat stabler airmass not expecting any flooding or severe concerns. Lows tonight will range from the lower to mid 60s west, to around 70 east. Highs Saturday will be warmer thanks to more sunshine, but humidity should be somewhat lower. Highs will range from the lower 90s east to mid to upper 80s west. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... As of 1230 PM EDT Friday... Departing weak trough over the eastern United States gives way to broad ridging to the eastern third of the CONUS, with surface high pressure centered over the Carolinas by Sunday. Without any true forcing expected over the weekend, expect isolated to perhaps scattered diurnally driven showers and storms for the late afternoon and evening. Most of the activity will be confined to the southern sections of the CWA, especially along the southern Blue Ridge where some orographic lift may help to enhance storm development. With increasing 850mb temperatures and lower chances for clouds/rain to provide cooling, expect temperatures to once again increase into the low to mid 90s through Monday, especially for Roanoke and east into the Piedmont of Virginia and North Carolina. First of next week, our attention turns to the Ontario region of Canada where a shortwave trough is expected to be heading eastward by Monday afternoon. An associated cold front is expected to stretch from the Great Lakes into the central Plains Monday night into early Tuesday. This front will continue to sag south Monday, increasing the chance of rain and thunderstorms for the middle of next week, while possibly providing for some cooler temperatures and lower humidity. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 115 PM EDT Friday... Temperatures will remain above average at least through Wednesday before an incoming front and upper level trough drop in. Models and ensemble guidance continue to point to an uptick in thunderstorm coverage especially during the Tuesday and Wednesday timeframe. The frontal boundary should push through the area by Wednesday afternoon and evening before slowly washing out to the south early Thursday. There still is some uncertainty on the timing of the front and how far south it pushes during the midweek period. Both the European and Canadian show the boundary to our south by Thursday giving us drier and much more seasonable conditions compared to the GFS. With the front heading south and a digging trough, questions remain on precipitation chances for Friday and Saturday especially with models hinting at the moisture from what is left of Hanna being pulled our way. For now we will lean toward the drier side of things late next week as high pressure digs in from the Great Lakes and Ohio River Valley. Highest precipitation chances should remain south of the area. Forecast confidence in the long range for temperatures and precipitation is moderate. && .AVIATION /20Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 140 PM EDT Friday... This afternoon upper troughing and the approach of a weak surface cold front out of the Ohio Valley will combine to spark thunderstorms. Expect best coverage of storms to be south of KDAN and east of KLYH. MVFR conditions are likely with any of the storms, along with heavy rain and gusty winds, otherwise appears VFR for the afternoon. Models indicated mid and high clouds exiting the area tonight behind the troughing. Locations that clear out will have MVFR or lower fog late, as well as possible MVFR cigs. Extent of IFR or lower fog will depend on the timing of the clouds in the evening and where it rains today. Any fog/low clouds will subside after 12-13z Sat. Above confidence on ceilings/vsbys/wind and on thunderstorm timing/coverage. Extended Aviation Discussion... Overall mainly VFR weather to continue through early next week. We will continue to have afternoon and early evening scattered storms through the period. Sub-VFR conditions are likely in storms, and there is a potential for late night/early morning fog at LWB/BCB and perhaps other locations depending on where there is daily significant rainfall. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...WP NEAR TERM...PW/WP SHORT TERM...BMG LONG TERM...ET AVIATION...AMS/WP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 536 AM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020 NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ015>017-032>035-043>047-058-059-250945- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry- Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte- 536 AM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020 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...Today and tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible during the afternoon and evening. Damaging winds are the primary severe weather threat, but large hail and localized flooding are also possible. .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>020-022>024-WVZ042>044-507-508-250945- Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Craig- Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Mercer-Summers-Monroe- Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 536 AM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for 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...Saturday through Thursday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
343 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020
NCZ019-242015-
Wilkes-
343 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WESTERN WILKES COUNTY...
At 342 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Maple Springs,
or near Wilbar, moving east at 5 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
North Wilkesboro...
Wilkesboro...
Boomer...
Wilbar...
Mc Grady...
Mulberry...
and Wilkesboro Reservoir.
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 3604 8138 3604 8140 3605 8139 3607 8141
3625 8146 3635 8118 3603 8105 3603 8110
3604 8111 3604 8114 3603 8117 3604 8120
3603 8127 3600 8132
TIME...MOT...LOC 1942Z 252DEG 6KT 3618 8131
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
505 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020
VAZ043-242130-
Henry-
505 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT HENRY COUNTY AND THE CITY OF
MARTINSVILLE THROUGH 530 PM EDT...
At 504 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Oak Level, or
near Bassett, moving southeast at 15 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Martinsville...
Bassett...
Axton...
Leatherwood...
Villa Heights...
Chatmoss...
and Collinsville.
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 3678 8003 3678 8001 3679 8003 3679 8001
3683 8000 3679 7981 3680 7979 3679 7975
3669 7968 3654 7972 3654 7995
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 334DEG 11KT 3682 7991
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
549 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020
VAZ034-035-045-046-242230-
Amherst-Campbell-Bedford-Appomattox-
549 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN
APPOMATTOX...NORTHERN CAMPBELL...SOUTHERN AMHERST...AND
NORTHEASTERN BEDFORD COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF LYNCHBURG...
At 548 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Amherst to just north of
Lynchburg. Movement was south-southwest at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Lynchburg...
Amherst...
Appomattox...
Concord...
Rustburg...
Forest...
and Coleman Falls.
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 3734 7876 3724 7933 3753 7936 3763 7894
3755 7890 3755 7887
TIME...MOT...LOC 2148Z 036DEG 20KT 3757 7901 3749 7923
RABThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 52 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:50 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm wind blew two trees down within the City of Martinsville. Salem Street and the 700 block of Beechnut Lane were the locations of the fallen trees. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down near the intersetion of Joseph Martin Highway and Theatre Street. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds downed a power line at the intersection of Rivermont Avenue and V.E.S. Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew two trees down within the community of Phenix. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew down two trees within the community of Charlotte Court House. Damage values are estimated.
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, July 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: 912146, 912149, 912150, 912151, 912152.