A persistent hot and moist air mass allowed for high levels of instability in southwest Virginia. A cold front moving southeast through the region interacted with this unstable air mass and formed numerous severe thunderstorms which produced 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.
A persistent hot and moist air mass allowed for high levels of instability in southwest Virginia. A cold front moving southeast through the region interacted with this unstable air mass and formed numerous severe thunderstorms which produced damaging winds.
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 Jun 17, 1:00 PM EST, 1 hour 20 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
200 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will move south through our area this afternoon and
into tonight with rain and thunderstorms associated with it.
Behind the front, high pressure will build across the area
providing cooler and less humid weather for the weekend. Warmer
temperatures along with higher humidity levels will return once
again early next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 145 PM EDT Friday...
A cold front is currently positioned from southern Indiana into
northern West Virginia. South of this front, a long-lived MCS
continues to move east-southeast across Kentucky and southern
West Virginia. Ahead of this MCS, the environment has become
increasingly supportive of continued convection along the
leading edge of the MCS with MLCAPE already in excess of 2000
J/kg along with an increasing potential of convection to grow
upscale as a more organized cold pool takes place. The biggest
concern will be strong damaging winds as DCAPE values continue
to increase with time.
Hi-res model guidance is in rather good agreement of this
convection exiting into eastern Virginia by around 00z/8pm this
evening with perhaps only some lingering showery activity for
the mountains overnight.
Saturday is expected to be quite an airmass change with much
lower dew points and temperatures. Winds will be gusty at times
from the west-northwest. No rain chances and mostly sunny skies
can be expected.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
As of 1245 PM EDT Friday...
Much Cooler and Less Humid for this Weekend with no
Precipitation..
Canadian high pressure will build into the region for the
weekend. With a relatively tight pressure gradient for this time
of year, a gusty northwest wind is expected on Saturday into
Saturday evening. While not overly strong, but noteworthy for
this time of year, gusts of 15 to 25 mph are expected across the
area, with the strongest gusts at the highest elevations. Winds
will decrease Sunday into Monday.
850mb temperatures will plummet from our current readings in the
+20C+ range down into the single digits for a couple of days.
This will represent a sharp contrast from the heat and humidity
of the past few days. Surface dewpoints will drop into the 30s
and 40s for a couple of days with high temperatures only
reaching the 70s most areas, except 60s western higher
elevations and potentially around 80 Piedmont. It is not
entirely out of the realm of possibilities for Burkes Garden to
dip into the mid or upper 30s by Sunday morning. Bottom line is
that temperatures Saturday and Sunday will average about 20
degrees or so less than what we have seen most of this past
week. Temperatures will moderate a bit closer to normal on
Monday. Enjoy, because the heat and humidity will be returning
later next week.
No precipitation is expected through the weekend or even into
Monday. A nice change from this past week of heat, humidity,
and daily thunderstorms!
/Confidence Levels in Forecast Parameters/
- High Confidence in Temperatures,
- High Confidence in Precipitation Probabilities,
- Moderate Confidence in Wind Speed and Direction.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 1250 PM EDT Friday...
Heat and Humidity Return to the Area Along With Increased
Chances for Showers and Thunderstorms Once Again...
The strong subtropical ridge that was centered over the OH/TN
valley this past week will retrograde into Texas for the
weekend, then build back northeast into the TN/OH Valley by the
mid part of next week. A blob of hot air is progged to lift
northward over the Midwest and then pivot east-southeast into
our region by the mid part of next week. 850mb temperatures
could potentially top +20C for a few days during the later half
of next week. However, at this point, conditions do not appear
to be as warm and humid as what we have been experiencing.
The upper ridge will also not be oriented nearly as well for
MCSs to track south/southeast into our area, at least not for
the first part of the week. Thus, the bulk of showers and
thunderstorms will remain north of the region on the edge of
the ridge axis. While a stray shower or storm could develop
Monday or Tuesday, the probabilities and confidence levels are
too low at this point to even offer isolated coverage.
Once we get into Wednesday, and more so on Thursday, we could start
to see upstream convection start to break down the strength of the
ridge to our northwest. This could increase the potential for some
of that upstream convection to progress into our region with
afternoon and evening isolated showers and storms. MCS potential
increases a bit toward the later part of the week.
Temperatures are expected to increase during this portion of the
forecast with readings reaching the 90s Piedmont and 80s western
mountains. Heat indices on Wednesday may flirt again with the
century mark across eastern areas.
/Confidence Levels in Forecast Parameters/
- Moderate Confidence in Temperatures,
- Moderate Confidence in Precipitation Probabilities,
- Moderate Confidence in Wind Direction and Speed,
- Low to Moderate Confidence in Thunderstorm Potential.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 150 PM EDT Friday...
Conditions this afternoon still remain VFR areawide, but this
expected to change as the afternoon progresses. A strong
line/cluster of storms currently over eastern Kentucky will
continue to move east as afternoon progresses. Expecting the
window of potential storms will be from 3pm in the far west to
around 8pm in the east. Storms will have the potential to
produce very strong, damaging winds and very heavy rainfall.
Vsby reductions and erratic gusty winds can be expected with any
thunderstorm this afternoon/evening.
Conditions will likely improve to VFR tonight as the front and
associated storms move south and east of the area with only a
few lingering MVFR showers and clouds for the western
mountains.
Widespread VFR conditions can be expected tomorrow with gusty
northwest winds ranging 15-25kts throughout the day.
Extended Aviation Discussion...
Mostly VFR conditions are in store for the remainder of the
weekend into early next week with high pressure building into
the region from the north. Isolated to scattered MVFR showers
and thunderstorms are possible Wednesday and Thursday.
&&
.EQUIPMENT...
As of 1245 PM EDT Friday...
KFCX will be down until further notice due to a power supply
failure. Current estimated earliest repair time is Saturday
afternoon.
&&
.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...None.
NC...None.
WV...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...BMG
NEAR TERM...BMG
SHORT TERM...RAB
LONG TERM...RAB
AVIATION...BMG
EQUIPMENT...RABHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 226 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022 NCZ003>006-019-020-VAZ032>035-043>047-058-059-181830- Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Wilkes-Yadkin-Patrick-Franklin- Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham- Halifax-Charlotte- 226 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022 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...This afternoon and tonight. Thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon. Storms will be strong to severe, capable of producing damaging wind gusts, hail, and heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Limited spotter activation is possible this afternoon to provide reports on severe thunderstorms. 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. NCZ001-002-018-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-WVZ042>044-507-508-181830- 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- 226 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 384 IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest North Carolina, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West 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. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Limited spotter activation is possible Today to provide reports on severe thunderstorms. 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.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1153 AM EDT FRI JUN 17 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0148 AM TSTM WND DMG 3 S THESSALIA 37.21N 80.79W
06/17/2022 GILES VA 911 CALL CENTER
ONE TREE DOWN DUE TO THUNDERSTORM WINDS
ALONG THE 1400 BLOCK OF WALKER CREEK VALLEY
ROAD.
&&
ESTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
139 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
NCZ001-002-VAZ009-015-171815-
Ashe NC-Alleghany NC-Grayson VA-Smyth VA-
139 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Alleghany and northeastern Ashe Counties in northwestern North
Carolina, southeastern Smyth and central Grayson Counties in
southwestern Virginia through 215 PM EDT...
At 138 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Mount Rogers Summit, or near Sugar Grove, moving east at 20 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...
Mouth Of Wilson...
Sugar Grove...
Troutdale...
Volney...
Rugby...
Stratford...
and Flatridge.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM EDT for
northwestern North Carolina...and southwestern Virginia.
Additional statements will be issued as conditions warrant.
&&
LAT...LON 3662 8162 3662 8161 3663 8160 3664 8161
3665 8161 3674 8156 3675 8115 3649 8122
3660 8160
TIME...MOT...LOC 1738Z 282DEG 19KT 3668 8150
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
DBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
223 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
WVZ042-043-171900-
Mercer WV-Summers WV-
223 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Summers and
northeastern Mercer Counties through 300 PM EDT...
At 223 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Coal City, or 9 miles southwest of Beckley, moving east 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...
Hinton...
Pipestem...
Camp Creek State Park...
Buck...
Flat Top...
Jumping Branch...
and Pipestem Resort State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM EDT for
southwestern Virginia...and southeastern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3773 8066 3771 8066 3745 8086 3751 8121
3754 8120 3757 8120 3760 8114 3759 8109
3761 8106 3764 8107 3769 8098 3772 8097
3772 8095 3770 8091 3767 8090 3768 8088
3773 8090 3774 8092
TIME...MOT...LOC 1823Z 287DEG 14KT 3767 8126
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
238 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
NCZ001-002-VAZ015-171915-
Ashe NC-Alleghany NC-Grayson VA-
238 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Alleghany, northern Ashe Counties in northwestern North Carolina,
and southwestern Grayson Counties in southwestern Virginia through
315 PM EDT...
At 237 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Whitetop,
moving east at 30 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...
Lansing...
Whitetop...
Mouth Of Wilson...
Laurel Springs...
Volney...
Rugby...
and Grayson Highlands State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM EDT for
northwestern North Carolina...and southwestern Virginia.
Additional statements will be issued as conditions warrant.
&&
LAT...LON 3656 8169 3657 8169 3657 8168 3659 8168
3661 8165 3662 8162 3663 8160 3664 8161
3666 8157 3666 8155 3669 8153 3666 8121
3640 8128 3651 8170 3653 8171
TIME...MOT...LOC 1837Z 281DEG 25KT 3660 8161
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
240 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
VAZ035-171915-
Amherst VA-
240 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Amherst County through 315 PM EDT...
At 240 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Montebello, or 8 miles north of Forks Of Buffalo, moving northeast 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...
Alto.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM EDT for
west central Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3778 7911 3779 7909 3778 7907 3773 7907
3772 7906 3772 7907 3771 7921 3781 7924
3779 7921 3779 7920 3781 7914
TIME...MOT...LOC 1840Z 239DEG 13KT 3780 7914
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
310 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
NCZ001-002-019-171945-
Ashe NC-Wilkes NC-Alleghany NC-
310 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Alleghany, northwestern Wilkes, and Ashe Counties in northwestern
North Carolina through 345 PM EDT...
At 309 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Ashland, moving east at 30 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...
Jefferson...
West Jefferson...
Lansing...
Laurel Springs...
Glendale Springs...
Wilbar...
and Mc Grady.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM EDT for
northwestern North Carolina...and southwestern Virginia.
Additional statements will be issued as conditions warrant.
&&
LAT...LON 3646 8170 3648 8170 3658 8166 3648 8114
3622 8129 3640 8173
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 289DEG 27KT 3647 8162
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DBThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
43 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous trees were downed by thunderstorm winds throughout the county, with several making roads impassable.
Thunderstorm winds brought down a swath of several trees throughout Bland County.
Several trees and powerlines were downed by thunderstorm winds throughout the county.
Several trees and powerlines were downed by thunderstorm winds through the county.
Several trees and power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds. A garage was severely damaged by a falling tree.
Numerous trees and power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds in the county. Near Iron Gate, one tree fell onto a garage and damaged a vehicle.
Numerous trees were downed by thunderstorm winds, with most of the damage occurring in the northern portion of the county.
Several large limbs were snapped off by thunderstorm winds.
Numerous trees and power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds, with most of the damage in the southern portion of the county. Near Healing Springs, one tree fell onto a truck, and in the Cedar Creek area a tree fell onto a different vehicle.
Several trees and utility poles were downed by thunderstorm winds in the Christiansburg area. In addition, roofing on a deck was damaged by thunderstorm winds.
Several trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds on Dobbins Hollow Road.
Numerous trees and powerlines were downed by thunderstorm winds across the county.
Several trees were downed by thunderstorm winds on Beagle Hill Road.
One tree was downed by thunderstorm winds on Lakewood Court and it struck and injured one person.
Several trees were downed by thunderstorm winds on Virginia Route 221.
A large tree downed by thunderstorm winds.
A few large tree limbs were blown down by thunderstorm winds.
Several trees and powerlines were downed by thunderstorm winds.
A few trees were downed by thunderstorm winds.
Numerous trees and power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds throughout the county.
Numerous trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds throughout the county, with a few falling onto power lines.
One tree downed by thunderstorm winds blocking the intersection of Mockingbird Lane and Blackberry Road.
A few trees uprooted or downed by thunderstorm winds near the Merrimac area. Power outages were reported in connection with this damage, and a wind gust of 65 MPH was recorded in Blacksburg.
A few large tree limbs were downed by thunderstorm winds. A trampoline was also blown away and damaged by thunderstorm winds.
Around 60 trees were downed by thunderstorm winds throughout the county, with one falling onto a home on Virginia Highway 130. Thousands of people lost power in the area due to the damage.
A few trees downed by thunderstorm winds on Baileys Sawmill Road.
Numerous trees were downed by thunderstorm winds through Lynchburg. One tree fell onto a house on Sedgewick Drive.
One tree was downed by thunderstorm winds on Clyde Prillaman Street.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds on Olivet Church Road and another on Philpott Highway, which fell onto a power line.
A couple trees were downed by thunderstorm winds on Lawrence Drive.
Numerous trees were downed by thunderstorm winds through the City of Martinsville. Several fell onto power lines, and a few roads were made impassable by larger downed trees.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds on Penn Store Road.
One tree was downed by thunderstorm winds on Beckham Church Road.
A couple trees, a utility pole and a few power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds in the northern portion of the county.
One tree was downed by thunderstorm winds on Holland Circle, and an additional tree was blown down on Robertson Ridge Road.
A few trees and power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds on Bear Creek Road.
One tree was downed by thunderstorm winds on Spring Grove Road, and an additional tree was blown down on Buck Creek Road.
Power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds on Village Highway.
Several trees downed by thunderstorm winds across the county.
A tree was downed by thunderstorm winds and fell onto a house on Old Richmond Road.
One tree was downed onto a power line by thunderstorm winds on Brook Street.
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, June 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: 1043038, 1043054, 1042695, 1042697, 1042696, 1042698, 1043041, 1042699, 1042723, 1043042, 1042722, 1042724, 1042725, 1042700, 1042728, 1042730, 1042733, 1042726, 1042727, 1042729, 1042731, 1042732, 1042736, 1042738, 1042739, 1043049, 1042734, 1043015, 1043025, 1042735, 1042740, 1042975, 1042978, 1042992, 1042971, 1042962, 1043005, 1042966, 1043028, 1042996, and more.