Thunderstorms developed in advance of a potent cold front. |The storm that spawned the EF-1 tornado near Elmo in Halifax County evolved into a bow echo and produced winds estimated over 100 MPH near the town of Halifax that severely damaged one home and uprooted or snapped numerous trees.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
Thunderstorms developed in advance of a potent cold front. Many of these storms increased to severe levels and generated damaging winds and an isolated tornado.|The storm that spawned the EF-1 tornado near Elmo in Halifax County evolved into a bow echo and produced winds estimated over 100 MPH near the town of Halifax that severely damaged one home and uprooted or snapped numerous trees. There were other reports of trees down roughly between Martinsville and Lynchburg and points east.
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 Oct 25, 11:02 AM EST, 1 hour 28 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 1202 PM EDT Mon Oct 25 2021 .SYNOPSIS... A potent area of low pressure moves north of the area today with a trailing cold front passing through this afternoon, bringing a round of strong to severe thunderstorms. Cooler and windy conditions are expected behind the front Monday night and Tuesday. Another storm system will bring widespread rainfall for the end of the week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of Noon EDT Monday... Damaging thunderstorm winds and isolated tornadoes still expected this afternoon/early this evening... All eyes are focused on the dynamic upper level shortwave trough spinning across the northern Indiana late this morning, as well as the accompanying cold front trailing south into central KY. There is a prefrontal band of showers and cloud cover (remnants of last nights storms) racing east and ahead of the actual surface front. This prefrontal band of showers was running up against the windward slopes of the Appalachians and will move into our western CWA early this afternoon. Additional shower/storm activity was percolating over eastern NC per development of a coastal low just off the mid-atlantic coast. Forecast is for the parent short wave trough over Indiana to continue to move east toward the central/northern Appalachians this afternoon and evening with height falls and the exit region of a strong mid/upper jet overspreading the southern Appalachians and Carolinas/Virginia. The aforementioned pre- frontal band of showers and related cloud cover will tend to hinder pre-frontal destabilization across our far western CWA (windward side of the Appalachians), but a few strong/severe low-topped storms could occur pending weak but sufficient destabilization this afternoon in those areas. East of the Appalachian Divide and especially across our piedmont counties, a more certain/probable severe-weather risk is expected, perhaps initially near/just east of the Blue Ridge then translating across the piedmont during the late afternoon and evening. Where there is sun, expect modest destabilization, with upwards of 1000 J/kg MLCAPE. Strong deep-layer shear will support some well-organized storms including linear bands aside from the possibility of some initial/embedded supercells, particularly across the Piedmont of Virginia and northern North Carolina. It is this particular area (a line from LYH-GSO and areas to the east) where bulk shear values and storm relative helicity supports a relatively greater threat of tornadic supercells. What is interesting to see in some of the short range guidance is the formation of a meso-low or lee-side low vcnty of GSO, this feature moving northeast toward the VA/NC border just southeast of Danville this evening...winds backing in the low levels in the vicinity of this feature. Of note, this is a climatologically favored area for low level cyclogenesis, a tornado alley of sorts on a local scale. That said, yes this a a favored zone to watch, but do not ignore the larger scale scope. This is a robust system and shear profiles and strong winds aloft support damaging winds with any storm that develops this afternoon, regardless of whether it is spinning or not. Line segments, even with the pre-frontal convection and even with the cold front tonight, will have the potential for damaging wind gusts. Timing is still the same as previously forecast...with activity impacting the western CWA during the early afternoon, then translating to the piedmont during the late afternoon and evening. Once the prefrontal activity plays out this evening, expect a lull before the actual arrival of the cold front. The cold front is expected to sweep across the area during the overnight with winds increasing and becoming quite gusty attms late tonight and during the day tomorrow. By then, upper level energy from the Ohio valley is expected to transfer to the coastal low, the coastal low becoming the primary focus as we transition through the day Tuesday. Strong Northwest winds are expected Tuesday as the coastal storm deepens off the coast with winds aloft increasing to near 50 kts at 850 MB. This suggests surface wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph will be possible across our forecast area for late tonight and Tuesday. Ridge top wind gusts of up to 50 mph are possible for our highest elevations. A wind advisory may be needed for parts of the forecast area for Tuesday. This afternoon is expected to be the warmest day of the week with highs in the 70s. Cold air advection behind tonight's FROPA will result in a much cooler day Tuesday with highs in the 40s/50s mountains and 60s piedmont. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... As of 1100 AM EDT Monday... High pressure will build overhead on Wednesday, but a closed upper level low should bring noteworthy rain during Thursday. With low pressure moving offshore on Tuesday night and high pressure building from the Great Lakes, the resulting pressure gradient should continue the gusty northwest winds overnight. Upslope showers and sprinkles may take most of the night to dissipate across parts of southeast West Virginia. Once high pressure settles overhead by late Wednesday, it should allow quieter conditions before things turn unsettled again later in the week. A deep upper level low should develop over the central Mississippi River Valley by Wednesday night, and it will cut off from the jet stream while wobbling eastward toward Kentucky and Tennessee on Thursday. Moisture should stream from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean in a favorable southeast flow that will result in noteworthy rain. Confidence is very high that Thursday afternoon through Thursday night will be wet with QPF reaching one to two inches, and locally higher amounts are certainly possible due to the upslope flow along the Blue Ridge. It is too soon to tell how much of a flooding risk exists, but it shall be monitored with future model data. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 1100 AM EDT Monday... A closed upper level low will linger through the weekend but eventually exit by Monday as high pressure arrives. Rain will continue into Friday although the models are hinting at the moisture lessening across North Carolina with the flow turning more toward the south and southwest to eliminate the upslope flow over the Blue Ridge. The closed upper level low responsible for this unsettled weather will slowly move toward the northeast this weekend as it tries to rejoin the jet stream over southeastern Canada. However, clouds and showers may persist along and west of the Blue Ridge during Saturday before eventually fading by Sunday. Winds could become breezy from the northwest late in the weekend as high pressure builds eastward from the Plains to provide a quiet Monday. && .AVIATION /15Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 650 AM EDT Monday... Deteriorating flying conditions likely this afternoon and continuing through the entire 12Z TAF forecast. Most TAF sites were reporting VFR conditions this morning, with the exception of KLWB where local fog was creating IFR conditions. Conditions at KLWB are expected to return to VFR between 13-14Z. A potent cold front will move through our area tonight and in advance of this feature, clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms are expected mainly between 18Z (2 PM EDT) and 02Z (10 PM EDT)...especially for KDAN and KLYH and perhaps KROA. MVFR cigs and winds gusting over 30kts are possible within the storms. For KLWB, KBLF, and KBCB showers are likely early to mid afternoon the possibility of thunder and gusty winds within the precipitation along with temporary sub-VFR cigs. Once these storms pass, there may be brief return to VFR conditions, before blustery northwest winds and IFR cigs arrive behind the front at KBLF, KLWB and KBCB after 05Z. IFR to MVFR cigs at ROA are also possible late in the TAF period, but confidence was not high enough to include in the TAF. Extended Aviation Discussion... Sub-VFR conditions likely linger into Tuesday. Winds on Tuesday are expected to remain very gusty from the northwest, VFR conditions return later on Tuesday, lasting through Wednesday. Another strong system approaches late this week, bringing another round of rainfall and sub-VFR conditions. Drier conditions may arrive Saturday into Sunday. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...PH NEAR TERM...PM SHORT TERM...PW LONG TERM...PW AVIATION...PH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 448 AM EDT Mon Oct 25 2021 NCZ003>006-019-020-VAZ032>035-043>047-058-059-260900- Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Wilkes-Yadkin-Patrick-Franklin- Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham- Halifax-Charlotte- 448 AM EDT Mon Oct 25 2021 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. There is slight risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The main threat from any severe storms will be damaging wind gusts. There is a smaller threat for an isolated tornado. Clusters of thunderstorms are expected to move west to east across the area, mainly between 2PM and 10PM, and will be the most intense east of Route 29. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Widespread rain is expected Thursday through Friday. The rain will be heavy at times, especially on Thursday night, which may result in flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed. Reports should be submitted by calling 1-866-215-4324, social media, email at rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov or online at www.weather.gov/rnk. NCZ001-002-018-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-WVZ042>044-507-508-260900- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Watauga-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski- Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke- Botetourt-Rockbridge-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 448 AM EDT Mon Oct 25 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest North Carolina, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is slight risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The main threat from any severe storms will be damaging wind gusts. There is a smaller threat for an isolated tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Widespread rain is expected Thursday through Friday. Locally heavy rainfall amounts may result in flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Reports should be submitted by phone by calling 1-866-215-4324, social media, by email at rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov or online at www.weather.gov/rnk.
The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 35 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:30 UTC.
23 thunderstorm wind, 1 strong wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Winds blew a tree onto a house at the intersection of South Main Street and Old Furnace Road in Rocky Mount. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds below a tree down near the intersection of Applachain Drive and Wooddale Court in the Fieldale Community. The tree blocked one and one-half lanes of the roadway. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees in the City of Martinsville. Greensboro Road had both lanes of traffic blocked due to a downed tree. Another downed tree blocked one lane of traffic at the intersection of Industrial Park Drive and Clover Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down at the intersection of Mt. Olivet Road and Plantation Road. Additionally, two trees were blown down along another section of Mt. Olivet Road -- one at he intersection with Lancer Lane, and the second at the intersection with Lovell Drive. These additional two trees also brought down power lines when they fell. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down on Green Hill Drive near Mountain Mist Drive, near Dyers Store. Both lanes of traffic were blocked. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree near the intersection of Joseph Martin Highway and Memory Lane.
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down on a power line within the 1700 block of Old Sand Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down along Chellis Ford road and another tree down along Mt. Airy Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down near the intersection of Eggleston Falls Road and Mitchell Road, blocking both lanes of traffic on Eggleston Falls Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew multiple trees down along Route 130 in southern Amherst County. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down onto a car. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down along Mount Cross Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew one tree down along Sand Creek Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew one tree down along Concord Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew down a power line on Walnut Hill Road.
Thunderstorm winds downed a power line that fell across Watt Abbitt Road, blew a portion of a roof off two barns and onto Wagon Wheel Road, and blew a tree down on a shed with a vehicle parked inside it. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew multiple trees down on Mount Rush Highway at the Buckingham/Appomattox county line. These same winds also downed a tree onto a power line on Union Church Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew one tree down across James River Highway near Woods Corner. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds broke one inch limbs off trees and blew shingles off a building at a location four miles north of Keeling, VA. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew multiple trees down on Rough Creek Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds snapped several trees. Damage values are estimated.
An EF-1 tornado touched down about two miles west of Elmo just north of River Road where numerous trees were snapped. The tornado traveled northeast with intermittent damage. Several large trees were uprooted and snapped on the north side of Lewis Ferrell Road before lifting less than a mile north of Elmo.
Thunderstorm wind snapped and uprooted two pine trees. Damage values are estimated.
A line of severe thunderstorms crossed Halifax County and produced damaging straight-line winds. The most significant damage occurred along Old Grubby Road, where a family was displaced after their home was significantly damaged. Other homes and outbuildings were also damaged and numerous trees were uprooted and snapped. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds downed multiple trees and limbs down in various locations along the western extent of South Boston. A few of these trees and limbs landed upon and damaged homes. Damage values are estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Virginia, 2021Warnings in Virginia, October 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: 990203, 989853, 990018, 990024, 990026, 990677, 990028, 990031, 990032, 990149, 990150, 990151, 990152, 990153, 990676, 990155, 990195, 990196, 990197, 990198, 990199, 990678, 990200, 990201, 990202.