A strong cold front triggered scattered thunderstorms across the Mid-Atlantic region . One of these storms became severe, producing localized wind damage in Henry County.
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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 strong cold front triggered scattered thunderstorms across the Mid-Atlantic region . One of these storms became severe, producing localized wind damage in Henry County.
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 May 16, 1:40 PM EST, 10 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 240 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will cross the Mid Atlantic region this afternoon and evening with showers and thunderstorms. Tuesday will be dry behind the front then showers and thunderstorms return to the forecast Wednesday and Thursday. Much above normal temperatures are expected for Friday and Saturday ahead of the next cold front. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 230 PM EDT Monday... Well-defined short wave on water vapor images. This through axis crosses the Mid Atlantic region this afternoon as the upper low closes off in southeast Canada tonight. Region stays in northwest 500 MB flow Tuesday. The second line of showers and thunderstorms was developing from southeast West Virgina into northwest North Carolina. While there could be isolated severe thunderstorms in any location ahead of this line, the most favorable environment will be after 19Z/3PM east of a Lexington to Wilkesboro line. This is where the best bulk shear and highest instability, CAPES reaching 2000 J/kg, align. Surface cold front will move east this afternoon and evening and will be offshore by tonight. 850Mb temperatures will drop to around +10 and in addition to the cooler air, the humidity will drop as surface dew points decrease into the lower 40s to lower 50s by Tuesday morning. Winds will be gusty this evening behind the front due to the cold air advection, pressure rises of 6mb/6hr and a 20- 30kt northwest low level jet. Light breezy conditions will continue with deep mixing on Tuesday. Stayed close to NBM guidance for both lows tonight and highs on Tuesday. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... As of 220 PM EDT Monday... A Warming Trend Into Thursday With Scattered Storms. High pressure over the region will slowly slide east Tuesday night into Wednesday. A warm front aloft will pass overhead and bring an increase of clouds. Low temperatures Tuesday night will range from the mid 40s in the mountains to the lower 50s in the Piedmont. A nearly zonal flow aloft will allow upper-level disturbances to move across the region. Rain chances increase across the mountains Wednesday afternoon as a disturbance tracks to our north. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible with best opportunity in the west. High temperatures Wednesday will warm into the mid to upper 70s across the mountains and low to mid 80s in the Piedmont. A second disturbance will move across the Ohio Valley into central Virginia Wednesday night. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will travel over southeast West Virginia by midnight, then fade as they track east Thursday morning. Raised QPF up a little in the west Wednesday night similar to WPC. Low temperatures Wednesday night will be mild with readings in the mid 50s to mid 60s. The combination of low level boundaries and solar heating will generate showers and storms Thursday afternoon and evening. High temperatures Thursday will vary from around 80 degrees in the mountains to around 90 degrees. It will be mild Thursday night with readings generally in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Moderate confidence in the Short Term Forecast. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 220 PM EDT Monday... Heating up for the end of the week, followed by storm chances for the weekend into early next week... Southwest flow at the surface and aloft will pump warm air into our region into the weekend. Temperatures should climb into the 80s and 90s especially east of the Blue Ridge. A quick look at NBM records viewer showed that records at BCB and BLF will be challenged on Friday. The record high at BLF is 87 in 1997 and 90 at BCB set in 1934. An upper level closed low tracks northeast from the Plains into eastern Canada through the weekend. The associated surface low and cold front will slide eastward. Expect increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms for the beginning of the weekend with the passage of the front. Surface high pressure in the Ohio Valley builds south into our region by Sunday night. Drier weather continues into Monday. Low to moderate confidence in the Long Term Period. && .AVIATION /19Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 145 PM EDT Monday... A cold front extended from central Pennsylvania through eastern Tennessee to central Mississippi. Showers and thunderstorms were developing ahead of this boundary with MVFR/IFR visibility due to heavy rain. Some MVFR ceilings were also over southeast West Virginia into the mountains of Virginia. Ceilings will return to VFR and clouds will erode this evening. Little to no cloud cover is expected on Tuesday. This front will will move east this afternoon and evening and will be east of KLYH and KDAN by 23Z/7PM. Winds will be gusty at 15 to 25 knots from the west to southwest ahead of the front and then turn to the northwest behind the front. The low level jet will be strongest just behind the front this evening. Surface wind speeds will diminish this evening overnight as high pressure approaches the southern Appalachians and as surface based inversion develops. Once mixing begins on Tuesday, gusts of 15 to 25 knots are likely. Above average confidence for the timing of the cold front today. Average confidence for ceiling, visibility and wind. Extended Aviation Discussion... A warm front returns to the area on Wednesday and Thursday with shower and thunderstorms returning with sub- VFR possible. Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will be less and limited to the mountains on Friday and Saturday. Prevailing conditions will be VFR with above normal temperatures. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...AMS NEAR TERM...AMS SHORT TERM...KK LONG TERM...KK AVIATION...AMS/NF
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 403 AM EDT Mon May 16 2022 NCZ001>003-018>020-VAZ007-009>017-WVZ042>044-507-508-170815- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes-Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland- Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Mercer-Summers- Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 403 AM EDT Mon May 16 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, southwest Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A few thunderstorms may become severe this afternoon, capable of producing locally damaging winds and large hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ004>006-VAZ018>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-170815- Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt- Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania- Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte- 403 AM EDT Mon May 16 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Thunderstorms may become severe this afternoon and evening, capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, and an isolated tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
134 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
NCZ006-161800-
Caswell NC-
134 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Caswell
County through 200 PM EDT...
At 133 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Yanceyville, 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...
Yanceyville...
Jericho...
Prospect Hill...
Leasburg...
Hamer...
Semora...
and Topnot.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3625 7943 3647 7939 3653 7914 3624 7915
TIME...MOT...LOC 1733Z 260DEG 24KT 3638 7933
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BMGPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
153 PM EDT MON MAY 16 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0102 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 NNE REIDSVILLE 36.37N 79.67W
05/16/2022 ROCKINGHAM NC BROADCAST MEDIA
A SOCIAL MEDIA POST SHOWING A FEW LARGE TREE
LIMBS DOWN IN REIDSVILLE.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
202 PM EDT MON MAY 16 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1257 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 ESE WENTWORTH 36.39N 79.72W
05/16/2022 ROCKINGHAM NC 911 CALL CENTER
ONE TREE DOWN ALONG CAMP DAN VALLEY RD.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
205 PM EDT MON MAY 16 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1251 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 W WENTWORTH 36.40N 79.79W
05/16/2022 ROCKINGHAM NC 911 CALL CENTER
ONE TREE DOWN ON SETTLE BRIDGE ROAD.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
213 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
NCZ004-005-VAZ032-043-161845-
Stokes NC-Rockingham NC-Henry VA-Patrick VA-
213 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of
northern Stokes, northwestern Rockingham, southwestern Henry and
southeastern Patrick Counties through 245 PM EDT...
At 213 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Collinstown, or near Francisco, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 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...
Stuart...
Sandy Ridge...
Spencer...
Bassett...
Sanville...
Penns Store...
and Critz.
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 3652 8044 3655 8044 3655 8047 3666 8047
3676 7996 3646 7994
TIME...MOT...LOC 1813Z 266DEG 30KT 3658 8038
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
RRSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
242 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
NCZ004-005-VAZ032-043-044-161915-
Stokes NC-Rockingham NC-Henry VA-Patrick VA-Pittsylvania VA-
242 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of
northeastern Stokes, northern Rockingham, southwestern Pittsylvania,
southern Henry and southeastern Patrick Counties and the City of
Martinsville through 315 PM EDT...
At 242 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Penns Store, or near Spencer, moving east at 40 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...
Eden...
Martinsville...
Wentworth...
Stoneville...
Spencer...
Axton...
and Sandy Ridge.
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 3645 8015 3665 8015 3675 7961 3640 7961
TIME...MOT...LOC 1842Z 271DEG 36KT 3656 8004
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RRThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 60 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:52 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple trees down due to thunderstorm winds along Horepasture Price Road.
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, May 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: 1020579.