A warm front spawned a few severe thunderstorms in east-central Virginia.
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.
A warm front spawned a few severe thunderstorms in east-central Virginia.
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 May 28, 2:41 PM EST, 1 hour 56 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
341 PM EDT Fri May 28 2021
.SYNOPSIS...
Low pressure over the Ohio Valley will track eastward along a
stalled boundary, crossing the area through this evening. A
cold front will sink southward overnight into early Saturday, as
an upper level trough lingers nearby delivering cool and
unsettled conditions for the balance of the weekend. High
pressure will return early next week before moving offshore
during the middle portion of next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
A warm front is kinked across central and southern Virginia,
lifting northeastward into southern Maryland and the Delmarva
Peninsula. Further west, low pressure is moving through the Ohio
Valley with eyes on our region this afternoon and evening.
North of the warm front, temperatures are in the middle 60s to
middle 70s, except 50s to near 60 along the Alleghenies. South
of said boundary, temperatures are well into the 70s and middle
80s with dewpoints well into the 60s to near 70 degrees. This
warm and moist airmass encompasses the I-64 corridor southward,
and from the Fredericksburg metro eastward into southern
Maryland and the Northern Neck of Virginia.
As the low tracks eastward this afternoon and evening,
accompanied by an approaching positively tilted upper trough and
decent PVA, widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms will
develop across the area. Latest mesoanalysis highlights the
area along and south of the warm front with decent CAPE in
excess of 1000 J/kg, deep layer shear 40-50kts, along with the
warm and moist environment mentioned above. This area will
require close monitoring the remainder of the afternoon and into
this evening as convection picks up. Further north, confidence
decreases in terms of the severe threat given a bit more stable
environment. That being said, hi-res guidance continues to
depict a broken line of strong showers and storms tracking
along and south of U.S. 50 between 5-10pm.
Satellite imagery shows some clearing across central Virginia
eastward into southern Maryland. This may allow the warm front
to nudge a touch further north over the next few hours. Strong
to severe storms along and south of the boundary will be capable
of producing damaging wind gusts and perhaps an isolated
tornado given the above environment and favorable curved
hodographs depicted by model guidance. Precipitable water
values have reached into the 1.5-1.75 inch range along and east
of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which could help yield an isolated
threat of flash flooding with any stronger showers/storms.
Closer to the warm front where a bit more instability will be
found will exhibit a higher chance flash flooding.
Showers and storms will continue into this evening as a cold
front drops into the area overnight. The threat for severe and
flooding will wane later this evening with the loss of daytime
heating and decreasing instability. Showers and perhaps a rumble
of thunder will continue into Saturday morning as low pressure
migrates across Virginia. Lows tonight will drop into the 40s
in the mountains, with 50s much elsewhere.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
Upper level trough will linger over the area this weekend with
continued showers chances and below normal temperatures. Highest
rain chances this weekend will exist Saturday afternoon/night,
becoming more scattered to isolated in nature Sunday. Highs on
Saturday will be held into the 50s to near 60, and only a few
degrees warmer on Sunday under plentiful clouds. Lows each night
will be on the chilly side for late May, generally in the 40s to
around 50 degrees. Drier conditions return Sunday night as the
upper trough axis shifts to our east.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Cool high pressure will build across the region Monday through
Tuesday. Dry air will allow for areas to dry out from the
weekend's rainfall. Temperatures Monday will be a few degrees
cooler than average. Tuesday's high temperatures will be a few
degrees warmer than average.
As the high pressure moves to the east Tuesday night and Wednesday,
a gradual return flow will ensue to allow for humidity and rain
chances to return for the middle of next week. Temperatures
Wednesday should be above average.
A higher chance for heavier rainfall and a few thunderstorms on
Thursday with energy approaching from the west and a surface front
nearby. Temperatures once again will go above average.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
MVFR CIGs this afternoon will trend IFR tonight through Saturday
as low pressure crosses the area with widespread rain and
scattered thunderstorms at CHO/IAD/DCA this afternoon/evening.
Winds will favor an east northeast trajectory during this time.
Some strong to severe storms late this afternoon and evening
hours could produce damaging wind gusts.
IFR restrictions likely persist Saturday night into the first
half of Sunday as an upper level trough lingers over the
terminals and shower chances persist. North northeast winds at
10 knots or less can be expected during this time. Drier
conditions should return Sunday night as the upper trough axis
finally shifts to the east.
VFR conditions Monday through Tuesday night. Winds north 5 to 10
knots Monday, becoming light and variable Monday night and
Tuesday. Winds south to southwest 5 to 10 knots Tuesday night.
&&
.MARINE...
A warm front will be draped across our southern waters today as
low pressure tracks along the boundary through this evening.
Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms are possible
during this time, yielding a threat of gusty winds and perhaps
waterspouts along the lower Potomac waters and Chesapeake Bay
waters mainly south of the Bay Bridge. Outside of convection,
easterly breezes will gust to SCA levels into this evening,
before turning more northeasterly tonight. SCA conditions
expected across all our waters Saturday/Saturday night as the
gradient tightens thanks to low pressure near the Virginia
Tidewater region. Scattered to numerous showers will persist
Saturday afternoon and night as well as an upper level
trough lingers nearby, resulting in visibility reductions on
the waterways. SCA conditions are likely with northerly breezes
Sunday into Sunday night as conditions start to turn drier late
Sunday.
No marine hazards Monday through Tuesday night. Winds north 10 knots
Monday, then light and variable Monday night and Tuesday. Winds
becoming southwest 10 knots Tuesday night.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Onshore flow will deliver rising tidal anomalies through tonight
before winds turn more out of the north northeast this weekend,
however action stage is only highlighted in our current
forecast. Threat for minor tidal flooding is possible through
Saturday night but a more northerly component to the wind would
result in a lower threat for flooding. Will need to monitor
water levels closely at our sensitive sites.
&&
.CLIMATE...
Unseasonably cool conditions are expected this weekend. Below is
a list of the record low max temps for Saturday and Sunday.
Sat 5/29 DCA BWI IAD
58 1893 57 2014 58 1996
Sun 5/30 DCA BWI IAD
57 1915 58 1915 62 1971
&&
.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...None.
MD...None.
VA...None.
WV...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM EDT Saturday for ANZ530>532-
538>540.
Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for
ANZ533>537-541>543.
Small Craft Advisory from 6 AM to 6 PM EDT Saturday for
ANZ533>537-541>543.
&&
SYNOPSIS...BKF
NEAR TERM...BKF
SHORT TERM...BKF
LONG TERM...KLW
AVIATION...BKF/KLW
MARINE...BKF/KLW
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...BKF
CLIMATE...BJLHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 818 AM EDT Fri May 28 2021 ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ008-011-013-014-016>018-504-506-508- VAZ052>057-291230- 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-Cecil-Southern Baltimore- Prince Georges-Anne Arundel-Charles-St. Marys-Calvert- Central and Southeast Montgomery-Central and Southeast Howard- Southeast Harford-Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park-Fairfax- Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria-Stafford-Spotsylvania- King George- 818 AM EDT Fri May 28 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Severe thunderstorms are possible late this afternoon and evening with locally damaging wind gusts being the primary threat. An isolated tornado is also possible. The best chance for strong to severe storms will be south of US 50. Heavy rain associated with showers and scattered thunderstorms may lead to isolated instances of flash flooding late this afternoon into tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed late this afternoon and evening. MDZ003>006-503-505-507-VAZ025>031-036>040-050-051-501-502-505>508- WVZ050>053-055-291230- Washington-Frederick MD-Carroll-Northern Baltimore- Northwest Montgomery-Northwest Howard-Northwest Harford-Augusta- Rockingham-Shenandoah-Frederick VA-Page-Warren-Clarke-Nelson- Albemarle-Greene-Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper- Northern Fauquier-Southern Fauquier-Western Loudoun- Eastern Loudoun-Northern Virginia Blue Ridge- Central Virginia Blue Ridge-Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-Jefferson- Hardy- 818 AM EDT Fri May 28 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of eastern West Virginia, northern and central Virginia, and central and western Maryland. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Severe thunderstorms are possible late this afternoon and evening with locally damaging wind gusts being the primary threat. An isolated tornado is also possible. The best chance for strong to severe storms will be south and west of the Potomac River. Heavy rain associated with thunderstorms may lead to isolated instances of flash flooding late this afternoon into tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed late this afternoon and evening. MDZ001-501-502-VAZ503-504-WVZ501>506-291230- Garrett-Extreme Western Allegany-Central and Eastern Allegany- Western Highland-Eastern Highland-Western Grant-Eastern Grant- Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-Western Pendleton- Eastern Pendleton- 818 AM EDT Fri May 28 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Allegheny Front counties in western Maryland, eastern West Virginia, and Highland County Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Severe thunderstorms are possible late this afternoon and evening with locally damaging wind gusts being the primary threat. Heavy rain associated with thunderstorms may lead to isolated instances of flash flooding late this afternoon into tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed late this afternoon and evening.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
1237 PM EDT FRI MAY 28 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0302 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 SW STEPHENS CITY 39.07N 78.25W
05/26/2021 FREDERICK VA EMERGENCY MNGR
DAMAGE TO SEVERAL FARM OUTBUILDINGS OFF 300 BLOCK OF
FAMILY LANE. ONE 30 BY 90 FOOT POLE BARN DESTROYED AND
OTHERS HAD ROOF DAMAGE. LARGE STRUCTURE WAS OPEN TO
DIRECTION OF WIND.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX2104189
STRONGPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
1259 PM EDT FRI MAY 28 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0628 PM TSTM WND DMG CEDAR GROVE 39.27N 78.19W
05/26/2021 FREDERICK VA EMERGENCY MNGR
TREES DOWN IN SCATTERED LOCATIONS BETWEEN CEDAR GROVE
AND GAINESBORO.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX2104190
STRONGThe Sterling radar (KLWX), 88 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:36 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Two trees blew down on VA-608 Massaponax Church Road near Hickory Ridge Road.
A tree blew down on VA-607 Port Conway Road near VA-3 Kings Highway.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, May 2021
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: 952049, 952050.