High winds occurred after the passage of a cold front. These winds helped to cause a great abundance of trees and power lines to be blown or taken down across the region.
Every event with a place to put it; 22 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
High winds occurred after the passage of a cold front. These winds helped to cause a great abundance of trees and power lines to be blown or taken down across the region. Given the dry conditions, some of the downed power lines parked several small brush fires.
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 Apr 1, 9:43 AM EST, 2 hours 57 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1043 AM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023
.SYNOPSIS...
Rain will end by noon with a cold front sweeping through this
afternoon. Behind the front, very gusty winds are expected
through tonight. Cooler weather and dry high pressure is on tap
for Sunday and Monday under high pressure. Another low pressure
system brings the next chance of precipitation by the middle of
next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 1030 AM EDT Friday...
...High confidence in strong and damaging winds today/tonight...
Area of rain along a pre-frontal trough now lies east of the
Blue Ridge and is moving at a good clip. Skies are also clearing
quickly from the west. Winds are from the SW and are gusting
into the 20-30 mph range. The cold front was still well to our
NW and will push through in the afternoon hours. Ahead of and
behind the front, expect extremely strong winds, with speeds of
25 to 35 mph sustained, and gusts of 55 to 65 mph for much of
the area. High Wind Warnings are in effect for the mountains and
foothills until 4 AM, and Wind Advisories for the Piedmont of
VA and NC are in effect through midnight. We are expecting
widespread power outages due to falling limbs/trees.
As of 305 AM EDT Friday...
No change to High Wind Warning and Wind Advisory...
Pre-frontal line of showers and thunderstorms extended from
eastern Ohio to central Tennessee around 07Z/3AM. Hi-Res
models were in reasonable agreement with the timing of this
band, crossing it from Bluefield around 09Z/5AM to Charlotte
County around 17Z/1PM. Ahead of this line, isolated showers and
patchy fog. Winds were already gusting out of the southwest at
higher elevations and as the cold front approaches, gusts will
increase across southwest Virginia, southeast West Virginia, and
northwest North Carolina. Near the front wind gusts surge due
to deep mixing and an impressive jet as high as 75kts. Large
pressure rises and modest cold air advection behind the front
will also prolong the gusty winds into the evening.
Deeper moisture moves east with the passage of the cold front,
so clouds will clear in the mountains late in the morning,
then in the foothills and piedmont during the afternoon. Hourly
temperatures will trend nearly steady to slowly rising until the
clouds clear out. Cold air advection will limit warning in the
mountains but east of the Blue Ridge will have a few hours to
warm up.
Wrap-around, upslope low-level moisture and clouds return to the
western slopes of the central Appalachians, mainly north of
Bluefield after 21Z/5PM. Will keep isolated to scattered rain
and snow showers over southeast West Virginia overnight. Any
snow accumulation will be light and limited to western
Greenbrier County. Only minor changes planned for lows tonight.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
As of 215 AM EDT Saturday...
A warm start for the week.
Light snow showers or snow flurries in the northern mountains
should end Sunday morning. Gusty winds Sunday morning should
diminish by midday, as high pressure build across region. High
pressure center across our region Sunday afternoon will slide
east and push off into the Atlantic ocean by Monday night. High
temperatures Sunday will range from the mid 40s in the northwest
mountains to the mid 60s in the Piedmont. Low temperatures
Sunday night into Monday morning will vary from the mid 30s in
the mountains to around 40 along the southern Blue Ridge. Under
partly sunny conditions, high temperatures Monday will moderate
to the upper 50s in the northern mountains to the lower 70s in
the Piedmont.
High confidence in the Short Term Forecast.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 215 AM EDT Saturday...
Unsettled weather Midweek with another front expected late in
the week.
A upper ridge and zonal flow will keep a front to our west
Tuesday. However, a few showers may move into the western
mountains. High temperatures Tuesday afternoon will warm into
the lower 70s in the west to around 80 degrees in the east. A
strong frontal system over the Plains will arrive Wednesday into
Thursday with the opportunity for showers. The best chance for
rain will be in the northwest. Another storm system is expected
for late in the week with the chance for showers. Temperatures
will be 10-15 degrees above normal, hitting the upper 70s and
lower 80s in the middle of the week. With the frontal passage in
the second half of the week, temperatures will cool back nearer
to normal.
Moderate confidence in Long Term Forecast.
&&
.AVIATION /14Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 735 AM EDT Saturday...
Pre-frontal line of showers and thunderstorms extended from
eastern Pennsylvania to northern Georgia around 11Z/7AM. Hi-
Res models were in reasonable agreement with the timing of this
band, taking it into central and eastern Virginia and North
Carolina by 18Z/2PM. IFR to MVFR ceilings and visibility in
heavy rain will accompany the band of the showers and isolated
thunderstorms.
Winds were becoming gusty out of the southwest as the cold
front approaches. Near the front wind gusts surge as as high
as 45kts due to deep mixing and an impressive jet as high as
75kts. Large pressure rises and modest cold air advection behind
the front will also prolong the gusty winds into the evening.
Deeper moisture moves east with the passage of the cold front,
so clouds will clear in the mountains late in the morning,
then in the foothills and piedmont during the afternoon. Wrap-
around, upslope low-level moisture and MVFR clouds return to the
the central Appalachians after 21Z/5PM. KBCB and KROA may be on
the eastern edge of this MVFR cloud cover. Will keep isolated
to scattered rain and snow showers over southeast West Virginia
overnight. No visibility restriction is anticipated due to these
light showers.
Above average confidence for the timing of the front and showers
this morning. Average confidence for wind, visibility, and
ceiling.
.Extended Aviation Outlook...
Mostly VFR conditions are expected Sunday through Tuesday.
On Wednesday clouds and a chance of precipitation return to the
mountains. Conditions will remain VFR east of the Blue Ridge.
&&
.EQUIPMENT...
As of 300 PM EDT Thursday...
The KFCX radar is down until April 10 due to a major upgrade.
The pedestal is being replaced as part of the Service Life
Extension Program.
&&
.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...High Wind Warning until 4 AM EDT Sunday for VAZ007-009>020-
022>024-032>035.
Wind Advisory until midnight EDT tonight for VAZ043>047-058-
059.
NC...High Wind Warning until 4 AM EDT Sunday for NCZ001>003-018-019.
Wind Advisory until midnight EDT tonight for NCZ004>006-020.
WV...High Wind Warning until 4 AM EDT Sunday for WVZ042>044-507-508.
&&
SYNOPSIS...AMS
NEAR TERM...AMS/SH
SHORT TERM...KK
LONG TERM...KK
AVIATION...AMS
EQUIPMENT...VFJHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 508 AM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023 NCZ001>003-018-019-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-WVZ042>044-507-508- 020915- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles- Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA- Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst- Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 508 AM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EDT SUNDAY... 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...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather by calling 1-866-215-4324, social media, email at rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov or online at www.weather.gov/rnk. NCZ004>006-020-VAZ043>047-058-059-020915- Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Yadkin-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell- Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte- 508 AM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, central Virginia and south central Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather by calling 1-866-215-4324, social media, email at rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov or online at www.weather.gov/rnk.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
759 AM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023
NCZ001>003-018-VAZ009-010-012-015-016-011230-
Surry NC-Ashe NC-Watauga NC-Alleghany NC-Grayson VA-Bland VA-
Wythe VA-Smyth VA-Carroll VA-
759 AM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023
...An area of heavy rain will impact portions of Alleghany,
northwestern Surry, north central Watauga and Ashe Counties in
northwestern North Carolina, Smyth, southeastern Bland, Wythe,
southwestern Carroll and Grayson Counties in southwestern Virginia
and the City of Galax through 830 AM EDT...
At 758 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of heavy rain over
Mount Rogers Summit, or near Whitetop, moving east at 70 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...
Wytheville...
Galax...
Marion...
Chilhowie...
Sparta...
Jefferson...
and Rural Retreat.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 3647 8170 3653 8171 3659 8168 3661 8165
3662 8162 3664 8161 3664 8162 3679 8170
3683 8174 3713 8099 3646 8070 3641 8106
3643 8108 3642 8115 3643 8117 3639 8121
3632 8172 3634 8173 3634 8171 3641 8174
TIME...MOT...LOC 1158Z 252DEG 61KT 3667 8156
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
VFJThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
22 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Wind gusts downed trees and power lines throughout the county. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts resulted in many trees and power lines down in the Cities of Salem and Roanoke and portions of Roanoke County. This resulted in an estimated one to two thousand customers without power. Among the fallen trees, one fell and destroyed a raptor enclosure at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center which will cost $25,000 to replace. Additionally a power pole and a telephone pole were split in two. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed at least five trees in the county. The first tree was located near the intersection of College Drive and Morrison Road near Figsboro Road. The second tree was located on the exit ramp going towards Ridgeway, one mile southwest of Fieldale. The third tree at the intersection of Fairystone Road and Henry Street in Stanleytown. The fourth tree fell at the intersection of Homewood Drive and Bassett Heights Road, two miles northeast of Bassett, and the fifth tree fell on a lodge in the 4200 block of Lee Ford Camp Road , three miles west of Ridgeway. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed trees throughout the county and brought down at least one power line. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed a power pole in the 500 block of Wisteria Drive. Gusty conditions continued into the late evening hours across Montgomery County with gusts near 40 mph at times. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed several trees and a some power lines. Winds gusted to over 40 mph into the early evening hours.
Wind gusts blew a couple of trees down and power lines. Damage values are estimated.
Trees were blown down throughout the county, with one tree falling across U.S. 460. Additionally, a power line was blown down in Ripplemeade. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed four trees in the New Castle area. Winds continued to gust periodically up to 40 mph through the evening hours. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed a few trees primarily across the eastern portion of the county. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed numerous trees and power lines throughout the county. Several roads were blocked for a period of time, including U.S. Highway 220 South, due to the fallen trees. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed tress throughout the county and also several power lines. A tree fell on a residence in West Warm Springs causing minor damage to the structure. Downed trees also blocked a couple of roads for a period of time. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed trees throughout the county with a few road blocked by the down trees for a time. Between one and two thousand customers lost power. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed a few trees across the county, with one tree falling on a vehicle. Winds continued to gust over 50 mph into the early evening. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts blew trees down throughout the county with a couple of trees blocked due to falling trees. Periodic wind gusts to 35 mph continued into the early morning hours of April 2. Damage values are estimated.
A wind gust of 63 mph was measured at a location three miles northeast of Crockett at 4:29 PM EST. Between one and two thousand customers lost power. In the same general region of the county, winds continued to gust over 40 mph through the late evening.
Wind gusts downed trees and power lines throughout the county. Some secondary roads, including Pleasant View Road, were blocked by trees for a period of time. Periodic wind gusts to over 35 mph were reported into the early morning hours of April 2. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed trees and powerline throughout the county. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed trees down throughout the county with a number of power lines also downed. An estimated 2,000 customers were without power. Damage values are estimated.
Winds gusts downed trees throughout the county. One fallen tree blocked Belspring Road in Fairlawn for a time. Almost 3,000 customers lost power. Damage values are estimated.
Trees and power lines were downed throughout the county. In the town of Bedford, a tree fell on a house causing damaging. Damage values are estimated.
Wind gusts downed four trees in the county. The first tree was located on Old Courthouse Road near Anderson Road in Appomattox. The second tree was down on the 1400 block of Piney Mountain Road, two miles east-southeast of Oakville. The third three was down on James River Road near the intersection of Church and Bent Creek Streets, two miles east of Riverville. The fourth tree was down across the roadway within the 200 block of Rough Creek Road near Pamplin, VA. Damage values are estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, April 2023
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: 1093959, 1094051, 1094089, 1093939, 1093958, 1093962, 1093936, 1093950, 1093969, 1094040, 1094072, 1094042, 1093937, 1093964, 1094056, 1093953, 1094068, 1094060, 1094082, 1093954, 1094081, 1094090.