Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of an approaching cold front on August 27th-28th, primarily during the afternoon/evening hours each day. Heavy rainfall occurred with these storms which lead to several instances of flooding across the area.
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.
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of an approaching cold front on August 27th-28th, primarily during the afternoon/evening hours each day. Heavy rainfall occurred with these storms which lead to several instances of flooding across the area.
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 Aug 28, 2:17 PM EST, 2 hours 41 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
317 PM EDT Sat Aug 28 2021
.SYNOPSIS...
A weak frontal boundary will linger nearby through the end of
the weekend. As a result, chances for afternoon and evening
showers and thunderstorms will continue.
Hot and humid conditions are expected to continue through early
next week. However, cooler conditions are slated for the middle
and especially latter portions of next week. Remnants of Ida
could enhance showers and thunderstorms during the middle part
of next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SUNDAY MORNING/...
At the surface, high pressure is building across northern New
England. A previously stationary boundary has slid southwestward
in advance of the building high as a backdoor front into
northeastern Maryland. This front should continue drifting
toward the Potomac River before stalling this evening. Aloft, an
upper ridge remains just to our south.
A weak disturbance over western PA is progged to shift
southeastward down the backdoor front through this evening. As
these features intersect in a humid and unstable airmass,
scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected. The greatest
concentration of storms is expected from western Maryland across
the eastern West Virginia panhandle into the Shenandoah Valley,
and northwestern Virginia into the central Virginia Piedmont.
We could again see the chance for some isolated damaging wind gusts
and flash flooding in any thunderstorms today given abundant
CAPE and moisture as well as slow storm motions/possible
mergers, especially in areas with lowered FFG. A lack of
stronger shear or forcing should keep both the damaging wind and
flash flood risks on the marginal/isolated side. One exception
is along and immediately in the lee (east side) of the northern
Virginia Blue Ridge where a Flash Flood Watch has been issued
for this evening. Upslope low-level flow of high PW air will
advect against the ridge this evening as the backdoor front and
incoming mid-level wave combine to produce thunderstorms. Given
the upslope flow, some thunderstorms may re-generate or "lock"
to the easterly upslope side of the ridge where the front and
wave cross. The threat is conditional and depends on whether or
not upslope easterly flow is able to counteract thunderstorm
cold pools keeping them training near the terrain instead of
accelerating eastward; either scenario seems equally likely.
Any convection should wane and end by the late evening hours
with mostly dry conditions expected overnight. It will be muggy
and warm once again with overnight lows in the mid 70s across
the metro areas and upper 60s elsewhere. Patchy fog is expected,
and some may be dense particularly in areas that see rain
and/or are able to to clear out overnight. There will be some
clouds around though, so that may be an inhibiting factor.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
The upper ridge will remain to our south/southeast on Sunday,
with northwesterly flow expected aloft. The 850-700mb pattern
also favors westerly/northwesterly flow as well. With more dry
air in the column on Sunday, think the thunderstorm threat may
be relatively limited in coverage compared to previous few days.
The big question on Sunday continues to be whether the
lingering aforementioned backdoor boundary will be strong enough
to help initiate convection. Have continued to maintain chance
PoPs for Sunday. Mid-upper 80s expected mainly north of I-66 and
US-50 with upper 80s to low 90s elsewhere (cooler temperatures
are expected over the higher terrain with highs in the mid 70s).
As the upper-level ridge begins to break down on Monday, another
cold front is forecast to push into the area during the
afternoon. This front will likely stall as well. With highs in
the low 90s and dew points into the upper 60s to low 70s, we may
see an uptick in organized severe weather (damaging wind gust)
potential during the afternoon.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Little change at this time with the extended periods. Please
reference the National Hurricane Center for the latest details
on Ida.
On Tuesday, Ida will likely remain well to our southwest, while
a front remains stalled out east-to-west near the Mid-Atlantic.
Convection may initiate near the boundary. There will be lower
instability than preceding days, although flow may increase
slightly. The risk of strong storms is uncertain.
Ida will likely be steered northeast during the Wednesday-Thursday
timeframe by a trough. The track of this system will determine
whether there are local threats of flooding and/or severe weather.
As tropical moisture flux intersects the stalled boundary, a zone of
very heavy rainfall is possible as depicted consistently across NWP
guidance, but its location remains uncertain. This situation will
need to be monitored closely in the coming days.
A cooler and less humid airmass expected for the end of the week as
Canadian high pressure plunges southward behind Ida's remnants.
However, there remains enough variance in ensemble guidance that a
low chance of precipitation will remain in Friday's forecast for now.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
VFR for most terminals is expected through early this evening,
though MVFR CIGs may encroach upon BWI/MTN intermittently before
then; a few thunderstorms are likely near CHO/MRB and possibly
near IAD/DCA late this afternoon into this evening. IFR CIGs
are likely overnight due to moist onshore flow. Patchy dense fog
is possible near MRB/CHO as well.
VFR conditions should return by around midday Sunday. Chances
for showers/thunderstorms will continue for the afternoon and
evening hours, again with the highest chances near MRB/CHO.
There is another chance for thunderstorms Monday afternoon as a
frontal boundary pushes into the region before stalling nearby.
While VFR conditions will prevail, could see brief reductions
as storms push through.
A few thunderstorms are possible Tuesday due to a stalled front in
the area. Wednesday's forecast will depend on the remnants of
Hurricane Ida, but heavy rain, thunderstorms, and low ceilings are
possible if the storm's track is nearby. Refer to the National
Hurricane Center for the latest information on Ida.
&&
.MARINE...
A backdoor boundary has crossed the upper Chesapeake Bay, and
should stall near the Potomac River through this evening before
weakening. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect north of
Sandy Point MD, though some generally more sporadic gusts can't
be ruled out elsewhere especially in/near showers/thunderstorms.
Winds should be lighter with spottier thunderstorm coverage Sunday.
Another cold front will move into the area on Monday, bringing
renewed chances for showers and thunderstorms to the waters.
A stalled front could result in a few gusty thunderstorms on Tuesday
afternoon and evening, but otherwise winds should remain light.
Winds may increase Wednesday as the remnants of Hurricane Ida
approach from the southwest, but details remain uncertain at this
time. Refer to the National Hurricane Center for the latest
information on Ida.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Slightly above normal tide levels should hold fairly steady through
Sunday morning. Toward Sunday evening and night, levels will be
dependent on the position of a front and the ensuing wind direction.
The Stevens Ensemble is most aggressive in forecasting potential
minor flooding, though the CBOFS is not far behind. Continued
to trend the forecast toward the ESTOFS guidance, resulting in
some caution stages. Will continue to monitor trends in the
coming forecast cycles.
&&
.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...None.
MD...None.
VA...Flash Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for VAZ038>040-
507.
WV...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for ANZ530-
531.
&&
SYNOPSIS...DHOF
NEAR TERM...DHOF
SHORT TERM...DHOF
LONG TERM...KLW
AVIATION...KLW/DHOF
MARINE...KLW/DHOF
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 322 PM EDT Sat Aug 28 2021 ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ008-011-013-014-016>018-504-506-508- VAZ052>057-291000- 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- 322 PM EDT Sat Aug 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...This Afternoon and Tonight No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible during the afternoon and evening hours Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday. Isolated instances of flash flooding are possible Sunday through Tuesday, and scattered instances of flash flooding are possible Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. MDZ003>006-503-505-507-VAZ025>031-036>040-050-051-501-502-505>508- WVZ050>053-055-291000- 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- 322 PM EDT Sat Aug 28 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of eastern West Virginia, northern and central Virginia, and central and western Maryland. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Isolated severe thunderstorms with damaging winds along with isolated instances of flash flooding are possible this afternoon and evening. The greatest risk is across the Shenandoah Valley and central Virginia. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect through midnight for Rappahannock, Greene, and Madison Counties. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible during the afternoon and evening hours Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday. Isolated instances of flash flooding are possible Sunday through Tuesday, and scattered instances of flash flooding are possible Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. MDZ001-501-502-VAZ503-504-WVZ501>506-291000- Garrett-Extreme Western Allegany-Central and Eastern Allegany- Western Highland-Eastern Highland-Western Grant-Eastern Grant- Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-Western Pendleton- Eastern Pendleton- 322 PM EDT Sat Aug 28 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Allegheny Front counties in western Maryland, eastern West Virginia, and Highland County Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Isolated severe thunderstorms with damaging winds along with isolated instances of flash flooding are possible this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible during the afternoon and evening hours Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday. Isolated instances of flash flooding are possible Sunday through Tuesday, and scattered instances of flash flooding are possible Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
456 PM EDT SAT AUG 28 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0428 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 WNW HAGERSTOWN 39.65N 77.74W
08/28/2021 WASHINGTON MD 911 CALL CENTER
TREE BRANCHES AND WIRES DOWN ON CONCORD STREET.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX2105686
CPBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
502 PM EDT SAT AUG 28 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0403 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 SW MOUNT SAVAGE 39.68N 78.90W
08/28/2021 ALLEGANY MD 911 CALL CENTER
TREE AND WIRES DOWN ON MOUNT SAVAGE ROAD NEAR MD-638
PARKERSBURG ROAD NORTHWEST.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX2105687
CPBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
510 PM EDT SAT AUG 28 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0340 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NE LA VALE 39.68N 78.80W
08/28/2021 ALLEGANY MD 911 CALL CENTER
SEVERAL TREES AND WIRES BLEW DOWN NEAR LA VALE AND
CORRIGANVILLE.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX2105688
CPBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
515 PM EDT SAT AUG 28 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0437 PM TSTM WND DMG WINCHESTER 39.17N 78.17W
08/28/2021 CITY OF WINCHESTER VA 911 CALL CENTER
TREE DOWN IN THE 1100 BLOCK OF NORTH FREDERICK PIKE.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX2105689
CPBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
517 PM EDT SAT AUG 28 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0438 PM FLOOD MOUNT SAVAGE 39.70N 78.88W
08/28/2021 ALLEGANY MD 911 CALL CENTER
CALLA HILL ROAD CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX2105690
CPBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
540 PM EDT SAT AUG 28 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0459 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 W OMPS 39.50N 78.31W
08/28/2021 MORGAN WV 911 CALL CENTER
TREE DOWN ON OVERLOOK TRAIL DRIVE.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX2105691
CPBThe Sterling radar (KLWX), 61 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:55 UTC.
3 flood, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Several roads were closed due to flooding across southeastern Berkley County.
Six to twelve inches of water was flowing along Morgantown Road along with debris.
Multiple roads were closed due to high water flowing across them. Several streams were overflowing their banks in the southwest portion of Grant County.
Route 42 closed due to high water.
Trough Rd. closed due to flooding near Clifford Hollow. Stony Run came out of its banks.
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: 980988, 982235, 982238, 980990, 980992.