Daytime heating and an unstable airmass produced widely scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms. A few of these storms reached severe levels and generated damaging wind gusts.
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.
Daytime heating and an unstable airmass produced widely scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms. A few of these storms reached severe levels and generated damaging wind gusts.
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 4, 1:45 PM EST, 4 hours 55 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 245 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 .SYNOPSIS... A broad area of high pressure aloft extends from the western Atlantic across the southern U.S. A weaknesses in the upper high was evident across the eastern U.S./Mid-Atlantic region as a trough deepens southward from the Great Lakes. Warm and humid conditions will continue across the region with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms each day into at least the middle of next week as this pattern remains in place. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 215 PM EDT Thursday... ...Warm and Humid Conditions Will Continue with Scattered Showers and Thunderstorms on the Increase Friday... An interesting synoptic situation in place across the region today. A remnant MCV drifted into the CWA from the southwest early this morning. All of the precipitation associated with the MCV dissipated before reaching the CWA, but a large associated area of mid/high clouds has been drifting from southwest to northeast across the CWA this afternoon and has had a major impact on convective development. Instead of widespread convective development across the CWA that was earlier anticipated this morning, the MCV cloud cover has left a majority of the CWA high and dry so far today with all of the convection developing around the periphery of the cloud cover, hence across northern and eastern VA, northern WV, and eastern KY. As the MCV moves northeast through the evening, at least the western and southern parts of the CWA, generally west of I-77 and across NC should start to see some late day/early evening convection, so high chance pops are still in order in these areas. Pops have been reduced across the New River Valley area which will be the last to see any convection today as the MCV cloud cover lingers too late in the day. Going forward, little activity is expected overnight as the current convection is driven almost entirely by thermodynamics with the broad upper ridge essentially quashing any dynamics. Convection should dissipate within an hour or two after sunset. Friday should prove to be considerably more active minus any MCV such as today. In addition, dynamics will be a tad better as upper heights lower, the weak trough to our northwest approaches from the northwest along with its associated cold front, which will likely never reach the CWA until perhaps the middle of next week. Convection should be most widespread in the western areas furthest from the influence of the upper ridge. Locally heavy rain will remain the biggest concern, especially in the western areas where FFG values are above normal. However, given the lack of any rainfall today and generally spotty coverage tomorrow, will not issue any Flood Watch at this time and will defer for later shifts. Certainly one is not needed in the eastern areas as it may be several days before any widespread rain reaches those areas. The convection is too spotty and pulsy in nature to warrant an FFA at this time. No change in air mass equates to no change in temperatures or humidity levels. With dewpoints remaining in the 68-72 range across the CWA temperatures will reach the 80s west to lower 90s east each day. Lows will remain muggy mostly in the mid 60s mountains to the lower 70s urban areas and Piedmont. /Confidence Levels in Forecast Parameters/ - High Confidence in Temperatures, - Moderate Confidence in Precipitation Probabilities, - Moderate Confidence in Wind Direction, High Confidence in Wind Speed, - Moderate Confidence in Thunderstorm Potential. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... As of 115 PM EDT Thursday... ...Mostly Diurnal Storm Chances Through Weekend... Camping high pressure on the east coast through the weekend will keep us in a southerly fetch to pump in a warm, unstable airmass. NAEFS ensemble guidance points to the airmass containing PWATS above 2 standard deviations to normal...meaning it's going to be a very saturated airmass. Therefore, any storms we get going in the afternoons are going to have high rainfall rates. Convection concentration remains variable, even amongst CAMs. Thus it's hard to point to any place with a higher flood potential over another, but most likely it'll be somewhere in the west because of the terrain and recent rainfall along the western slopes. Temperatures will remain warm through the period with 70s-80s for the mountains and 90s in the east. Forecast confidence is moderate. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 115 PM EDT Thursday... ...Persistent Diurnal Activity Until Front Gradually Moves In From Northwest... Diurnal storm chances are going to persist in the long term forecast with no change in the nearby atmospheric set-up: it won't be until late in the long term forecast that a frontal boundary will slowly drop in from the northwest. With not much speed behind it, we should see an uptick in activity not necessarily in coverage, but overall diurnal availability in showers and thunderstorms. During this time, the increase in clouds should also help hold temperatures down slightly. However, the humidity will remain until the font can finally pass, which doesn't look to happen until the end of next work week. Forecast confidence is moderate to average. && .AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Thursday... ...Scattered Showers and Thunderstorms Increasing Through the Weekend... Synopsis: While largely VFR conditions are expected over the next several days as a summertime subtropical ridge dominates the area, the approach of a weak cold front combined with a weak upper trough and a warm, humid, unstable air mass, will result in scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms over the next several days. Cloud cover associated with a remnant MCV over the area today has suppressed convection across much of the CWA, but this will not be the case on Friday. Outside thunderstorms, which will be spotty and brief, late night and early morning fog will continue to be one of the main aviation concerns through the TAF valid period. Ceilings...BKN-OVC mid/high clouds will persist overnight as the remnants of an MCV drift northeast through the CWA. Otherwise, spotty thunderstorms and sub-VFR conditions during the evening will become mostly VFR by 01Z. Sub-VFR conditions with fog and potential lowering to IFR-LIFR at typical sites such as KLWB and KBCB possible after 08Z. Visibilities...Generally VFR outside any spotty, brief showers/thunderstorms through the evening hours. Otherwise, late night/early morning fog will yield some IFR-LIFR conditions in the usual spots such as KLWB and KBCB. Winds...Mostly light SSW-SW through the period with speeds 5-10 mph, less at night. /Confidence Levels in Forecast Parameters/ - Moderate Confidence in Ceilings, - Moderate Confidence in Visibilities, - High Confidence in Wind Direction and Speed. .Extended Aviation Discussion... Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected each day as a cold front stalls to the north/west of the region. A warm and humid air mass will remain in place promoting good thermodynamics for convection. An upper trough will deepen across the eastern U.S. toward the middle of next week with a potential increase in convection as this occurs. Late/night and early morning fog will bring areas of IFR-LIFR each day. Otherwise, outside periodic convection, mostly VFR conditions are expected. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...RAB NEAR TERM...RAB SHORT TERM...RR LONG TERM...RR AVIATION...RAB
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 1151 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 VAZ019-020-WVZ507-508-051200- Alleghany VA-Bath-Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 1151 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and continue into the evening hours before dissipating. There is a slight risk for excessive rainfall from the expected precipitation. Localized flooding will be possible in areas of heavier rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected each day through the period. The main hazard each day will be locally heavy rainfall and repeated rainfall on saturated ground. The flood and flash flood threat will be the main hazard through the period, especially across the mountains of southeast West Virginia and southwest Virginia. In addition, a few of the thunderstorms could become strong to severe and produce damaging wind gusts. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Limited spotter activation is possible this afternoon and evening to relay reports of flooding. Spotter activation is also each day Friday through Wednesday, mainly during the afternoons and evenings, to relay reports of flooding, flash flooding, and isolated incidents of thunderstorm wind damage. Spotters, CoCoRahs observers, and the public are encouraged to send rainfall reports to the National Weather Service. Reports should be submitted via phone by calling 1-866-215-4324, through our social media platforms, by email at rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov, or online through our "submit a storm report" located at www.weather.gov/rnk. NCZ001>003-018-019-VAZ007-009>018-022>024-032>035-WVZ042>044-051200- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles- Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Roanoke- Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Mercer-Summers- Monroe- 1151 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and continue into the evening hours before dissipating. There is a slight risk for excessive rainfall from the expected precipitation. Localized flooding will be possible in areas of heavier rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected each day through the period. The main hazard each day will be locally heavy rainfall and repeated rainfall on saturated ground. The flood and flash flood threat will be the main hazard through the period, especially across the mountains of southeast West Virginia and southwest Virginia. In addition, a few of the thunderstorms could become strong to severe and produce damaging wind gusts. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Limited spotter activation is possible this afternoon and evening to relay reports of flooding. Spotter activation is also each day Friday through Wednesday, mainly during the afternoons and evenings, to relay reports of flooding, flash flooding, and isolated incidents of thunderstorm wind damage. Spotters, CoCoRahs observers, and the public are encouraged to send rainfall reports to the National Weather Service. Reports should be submitted via phone by calling 1-866-215-4324, through our social media platforms, by email at rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov, or online through our "submit a storm report" located at www.weather.gov/rnk. NCZ004>006-020-VAZ043>047-058-059-051200- Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Yadkin-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell- Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte- 1151 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, central Virginia and south central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon into the early evening. Locally heavy rainfall is possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected each day through the period. The main hazard each day will be locally heavy rainfall and repeated rainfall on saturated ground. The flood and flash flood threat will be the main hazard through the period, especially across the mountains of southeast West Virginia and southwest Virginia. In addition, a few of the thunderstorms could become strong to severe and produce damaging wind gusts. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated today or tonight. Spotter activation is also each day Friday through Wednesday, mainly during the afternoons and evenings, to relay reports of flooding, flash flooding, and isolated incidents of thunderstorm wind damage. Spotters, CoCoRahs observers, and the public are encouraged to send rainfall reports to the National Weather Service. Reports should be submitted via phone by calling 1-866-215-4324, through our social media platforms, by email at rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov, or online through our "submit a storm report" located at www.weather.gov/rnk. RAB
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
329 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
VAZ019-020-WVZ507-042000-
Bath VA-Alleghany VA-Eastern Greenbrier WV-
329 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of
north central Alleghany, western Bath Counties in west central
Virginia and east central Greenbrier Counties in southeastern West
Virginia through 400 PM EDT...
At 329 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Natural Well, or near Neola, moving northeast at 25 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...
Neola...
Warm Springs...
Hot Springs...
Lake Moomaw...
Mountain Grove...
Carloover...
and Bacova Junction.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3801 7974 3784 8001 3798 8015 3806 8006
3807 7996 3810 7993 3811 7994 3813 7995
3814 7993 3815 7992 3819 7992
TIME...MOT...LOC 1929Z 231DEG 22KT 3796 8001
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
604 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
VAZ045-058-059-042230-
Halifax VA-Campbell VA-Charlotte VA-
604 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Charlotte, southeastern Campbell and north central Halifax Counties
through 630 PM EDT...
At 603 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Brookneal, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Brookneal...
Charlotte Court House...
Phenix...
Nathalie...
Red House...
Drakes Branch...
and Hat Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3689 7895 3706 7904 3722 7871 3697 7858
TIME...MOT...LOC 2203Z 247DEG 8KT 3701 7892
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
AMSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
634 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
VAZ058-059-042300-
Halifax VA-Charlotte VA-
634 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Charlotte and north central Halifax Counties through 700 PM EDT...
At 634 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Nathalie, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Charlotte Court House...
Phenix...
Nathalie...
Drakes Branch...
Saxe...
and Aspen.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3684 7887 3692 7897 3717 7879 3697 7855
TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 225DEG 14KT 3692 7887
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
AMSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
637 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
VAZ009-012-015-042300-
Grayson VA-Wythe VA-Smyth VA-
637 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Smyth,
southwestern Wythe and north central Grayson Counties through 700 PM
EDT...
At 636 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Speedwell, moving northeast at 10 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...
Wytheville...
Speedwell...
Crockett...
Comers Rock...
and Cripple Creek.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3698 8114 3681 8104 3677 8101 3672 8128
3683 8135
TIME...MOT...LOC 2236Z 239DEG 9KT 3681 8124
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
AMSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
646 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
NCZ001-VAZ015-042315-
Ashe NC-Grayson VA-
646 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Ashe
and southwestern Grayson Counties through 715 PM EDT...
At 646 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Flatwood, or near Whitetop. 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...
Whitetop...
Nella...
and Flatwood.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3656 8169 3657 8169 3657 8168 3659 8168
3661 8165 3662 8162 3662 8161 3664 8160
3665 8154 3652 8150 3648 8170 3651 8170
3653 8171
TIME...MOT...LOC 2246Z 231DEG 4KT 3657 8171
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
AMSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
705 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
VAZ046-058-059-042345-
Halifax VA-Charlotte VA-Appomattox VA-
705 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Appomattox, Charlotte and northeastern Halifax Counties through 745
PM EDT...
At 704 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Charlotte Court House, moving northeast at 15 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...
Keysville...
Charlotte Court House...
Phenix...
Clover...
Drakes Branch...
Pamplin City...
and Madisonville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3706 7845 3676 7870 3688 7892 3742 7866
3741 7863 3738 7863 3739 7860 3734 7860
3727 7868 3720 7869 3719 7868 3719 7864
3717 7864 3714 7859 3715 7855 3713 7851
3709 7848 3708 7844
TIME...MOT...LOC 2304Z 223DEG 13KT 3702 7868
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
AMSThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 71 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:39 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm wind downed two trees down across a road, blocking the flow of traffic. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down on a house off Snider Branch Road. Just a little north of this house and a short time later, two trees were also blown by thunderstorm winds. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm winds blew down and snapped at least twenty trees. A barn was also severely damaged. Damage values are estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, August 2022
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: 1051499, 1051501, 1051502.