Without large scale forcing, pulse storms began forming in the afternoon once sufficient daytime heating was able to initiate convection. A highly unstable environment allowed some of these storms to form strong downdrafts and damaging winds.
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.
Without large scale forcing, pulse storms began forming in the afternoon once sufficient daytime heating was able to initiate convection. A highly unstable environment allowed some of these storms to form strong downdrafts and damaging winds. Orographic effects helped concentrate these storms in the mountains.
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 13, 2:01 PM EST, 54 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 301 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will move through the area Saturday and stall over the southern Appalachians. This will result in unsettled weather into early next week with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms. Cooler temperatures can also be expected early next week along with abundant cloud cover. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 245 PM EDT Friday... Scattered thunderstorms expected through this evening. Scattered to numerous showers and storms expected again Saturday. Scattered strong to isolated severe storms are expected until sunset...most numerous across the Virginias. Severe thunderstorm watch #436 is in effect until 8PM along the VA Blue Ridge and foothills. After todays activity wanes, expect another muggy night with lows in the 60s mountains to the lower 70s piedmont. Threat for showers/thunderstorms will continue across WVA through the overnight per approach of the upstream cold front. This front is expected to move southeast across the OH valley tonight and essentially be on our doorstep by daybreak Saturday. Expect showers/storms to be ongoing along the front Saturday morning, becoming more prolific as the front crosses the forecast area during the day. Forecast reflects better than a 50/50 chance for wetting Saturday, rain amounts generally between 0.25 and 0.50...locally higher where thunderstorms persist. Still looking at scattered strong storms with isolated severe per temperatures warming back into the 80s to lower 90s, another unstable day. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... As of 200 PM EDT Friday... An upper level ridge off the Southeast Coast will slow down the arrival of a cold front trying to move southeast across the Ohio Valley late Saturday. The latest models have the front moving over the mountains Saturday evening, then into northern North Carolina by sunrise Sunday morning. SPC currently has a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms where the lee trough reside over the piedmont. However, with the front approaching and entering the mountains during diurnal heating, expected this risk area maybe expanded westward. Also with very high PWATs, any storm can produce heavy downpours, leading to flash flooding. From initial appearances, Saturday afternoon and night will be the most active weather day of the period. Surface high pressure moves over New England Sunday and wedges south into the Carolinas Sunday night. With the upper level ridge remaining off the Southeast Coast, tropical moisture will overrun the wedge, keeping Sunday mostly cloudy. Rain chances will be best near the front (along the VA/NC border) during the day then fade through the evening. The area will be deeper into the wedge on Monday. As the winds become southeasterly, we are most likely to see extensive cloud cover with spotty areas of light rain/drizzle, moreso along the eastern slopes of the NW NC/SW VA Blue Ridge. Rain may gain intensity Monday night as remnants of TS Fred moves inland over the southeastern states with surface winds increasing from the southeast along the southern Blue Ridge. Having a wedge, abundant clouds and rain in the forecast, temperatures will run around 10F cooler than normal Sunday and Monday. High temperatures each day should not make it into the 80s. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 200 PM EDT Friday... The upper level ridge will remain off the Southeast Coast with a surface wedge over the Mid Atlantic states on Tuesday. The big question is, where is Fred? The Hurricane Center has the center of the remnants of TS Fred in the vicinity of the northern GA/AL border Tuesday afternoon. Some models have the storm wobbling in this area for another day while others track it slowly to the north along the western side of the Appalachains Mountains Tuesday into Wednesday. We will have high PoPs for the Tuesday-Wednesday time-frame, then back to afternoon summer-time convection Thursday. Temperatures will remain cooler than normal Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures return to near normal on Thursday. For official details on Tropical Storm Fred, please refer to the guidance from NHC. && .AVIATION /19Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 200 PM EDT Friday... Scattered storms expected until sunset...activity diminishing after sunset. An inbound frontal boundary will likely result in upstream activity persisting across WV and the Mason Dixon. Maintained VCTS for all TAF sites until about 00Z...then removed for the overnight. Expect repeat thunderstorm threat Saturday, but more prolific in coverage as a cold front slowly moves through the central Appalachians from N-S. Any fog tonight will be patchy. Winds are expected to be mainly from the west and under 10 kts. Expect strong outflow wind gusts near thunderstorms. Forecast confidence = good. Extended Aviation Discussion... A cold front moving in from northwest will bring a better threat of storms for the weekend and into early next week, potentially enhanced by tropical moisture from Fred. So overall, aside from storms and patchy fog, should be mainly VFR, with potential for sub-VFR over the weekend if we get an easterly fetch behind the front off the Atlantic, especially at night. && .CLIMATE... As of 115 AM EDT Friday... Records for: Friday 08/13/2021 Site MaxT Year MinT Year LoMax Year HiMin Year KBLF 95 1925 46 1919 63 1966 70 2016 KDAN 102 1977 52 1930 68 1979 77 1918 KLYH 98 1935 49 1930 68 1986 75 1926 KROA 99 1926 45 1930 69 1946 74 2019 KRNK 95 1926 43 1930 64 1996 68 2016 && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for VAZ045>047-059. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...PM NEAR TERM...PM SHORT TERM...RCS LONG TERM...RCS AVIATION...PM CLIMATE...PM/WP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 120 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021 VAZ045>047-059-141730- Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Charlotte- 120 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING... ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 436 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia and south central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Heat Advisory. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms possible through 8PM. Main threat is damaging wind gusts. In addition, heat index values could reach 106 degrees this afternoon. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Strong to severe storms are possible Saturday, with damaging winds and localized flooding the main threats. Rain could be heavy at times again Sunday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Reports should be submitted by phone, social media, by email at rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov or online at www.weather.gov/rnk. NCZ001>004-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-WVZ042>044-507-508-141730- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Watauga-Wilkes-Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth- Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig- Alleghany VA-Bath-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 120 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few storms this afternoon could be strong, with some becoming severe, producing damaging wind gusts and excessive rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Heavy rainfall could lead to localized flooding this weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ022>024-032-141730- Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick- 120 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 436 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms possible through 8PM. Main threat is damaging wind gusts. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Heavy rainfall could lead to localized flooding this weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Reports should be submitted by phone, social media, by email at rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov or online at www.weather.gov/rnk. VAZ033>035-043-044-058-141730- Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-Halifax- 120 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 436 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, south central Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms possible through 8PM. Main threat is damaging wind gusts. In addition, heat index values could reach 100 to 104 degrees this afternoon. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Scattered strong thunderstorms are also possible Saturday afternoon. There could be some locally heavy rainfall over the weekend as well. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Reports should be submitted by phone, social media, by email at rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov or online at www.weather.gov/rnk. NCZ005-006-141730- Rockingham-Caswell- 120 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Heat index values could reach 100 to 104 degrees this afternoon. A few strong storms are possible, with some becoming severe with damaging winds and excessive rain the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Scattered strong thunderstorms are also possible Saturday afternoon. There could be some locally heavy rainfall over the weekend as well. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
303 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021
VAZ011-WVZ042>044-131930-
Giles VA-Mercer WV-Summers WV-Monroe WV-
303 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of
north central Giles, south central Summers, east central Mercer and
southwestern Monroe Counties through 330 PM EDT...
At 303 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Bozoo, or near Peterstown. This storm was nearly stationary.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Pearisburg...
Peterstown...
Rich Creek...
Glen Lyn...
Red Sulphur Spring...
Kimballton...
and Lindside.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in
ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and
minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra caution to avoid
hydroplaning.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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 3736 8093 3755 8089 3755 8060 3733 8066
TIME...MOT...LOC 1903Z 278DEG 4KT 3745 8082
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ETSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
309 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021
VAZ045-058-131945-
Halifax VA-Campbell VA-
309 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of
southeastern Campbell and north central Halifax Counties through 345
PM EDT...
At 309 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Long Island, or near Brookneal. This storm was nearly stationary.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Brookneal...
Mike...
Hat Creek...
Gladys...
and Long Island.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in
ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and
minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra caution to avoid
hydroplaning.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
central and south central Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3707 7888 3701 7890 3701 7889 3698 7890
3702 7910 3706 7909 3707 7911 3709 7913
3708 7914 3707 7916 3718 7916 3723 7886
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 276DEG 2KT 3711 7905
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ETSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
318 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021
WVZ043-044-507-508-131945-
Western Greenbrier WV-Summers WV-Eastern Greenbrier WV-Monroe WV-
318 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of
central Greenbrier, northeastern Summers and northwestern Monroe
Counties through 345 PM EDT...
At 317 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 10 miles west of Marlinton to near Anjean to
near Talcott. Movement was northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Lewisburg...
Ronceverte...
Alderson...
Rupert...
Renick...
Falling Spring...
and Asbury.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3822 8036 3811 8036 3805 8027 3804 8024
3760 8054 3763 8088 3787 8079 3787 8075
3790 8077 3801 8073 3824 8039
TIME...MOT...LOC 1917Z 241DEG 18KT 3822 8028 3800 8057 3766 8080
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RRPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
333 PM EDT FRI AUG 13 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1240 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NNE GLENVAR 37.28N 80.15W
08/13/2021 ROANOKE VA 911 CALL CENTER
A TREE WAS BLOWN DOWN BY THUNDERSTORM WINDS
ALONG STANLEY FARM ROAD.
1242 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SSW CLOVERDALE 37.35N 79.93W
08/13/2021 ROANOKE VA 911 CALL CENTER
A LARGE TREE WAS BLOWN DOWN BY THUNDERSTORM
WINDS ALONG CRUTCHFIELD STREET.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
345 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021
VAZ035-045>047-058-059-132045-
Halifax VA-Buckingham VA-Amherst VA-Campbell VA-Charlotte VA-
Appomattox VA-
345 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of
Appomattox, Charlotte, eastern Campbell, northern Halifax, Buckingham
and southeastern Amherst Counties through 445 PM EDT...
At 345 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Shipman to near Nathalie. Movement was
east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Buckingham...
Appomattox...
Halifax...
Brookneal...
Keysville...
Charlotte Court House...
and Dillwyn.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to 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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
central, south central and west central Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3743 7840 3733 7849 3738 7859 3740 7859
3723 7869 3719 7868 3708 7846 3689 7849
3669 7864 3683 7915 3770 7901 3755 7890
3754 7883 3763 7882 3764 7872 3768 7864
3775 7862 3776 7851 3780 7849 3772 7835
TIME...MOT...LOC 1945Z 277DEG 15KT 3776 7886 3689 7896
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RRSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
347 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021
WVZ043-044-507-508-132045-
Western Greenbrier WV-Summers WV-Eastern Greenbrier WV-Monroe WV-
347 PM EDT Fri Aug 13 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of
Greenbrier, Summers and northwestern Monroe Counties through 445 PM
EDT...
At 346 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 11 miles west of Snowshoe to Bluestone Dam.
Movement was northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Lewisburg...
Hinton...
Ronceverte...
Alderson...
Rupert...
Renick...
and Sandstone.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to 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 3823 8037 3811 8036 3805 8026 3804 8021
3760 8057 3760 8108 3772 8097 3770 8091
3767 8090 3768 8088 3773 8090 3774 8092
3777 8089 3779 8092 3785 8086 3787 8081
3787 8075 3793 8079 3818 8056 3827 8044
TIME...MOT...LOC 1946Z 237DEG 17KT 3838 8021 3764 8087
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RRThe Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 99 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:53 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees and tree limbs were blown down by thunderstorm winds along Interstate 64 near the county line between Greenbrier and Summers Counties.
A tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds near the intersection of Michaels Way and Lick Creek Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in West Virginia in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in West Virginia, August 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: 980349, 980354.