An upper level storm system moved into Virginia late in the evening and with enough instability in place, a few scattered storms developed. One of the storms became severe, producing pockets of damaging winds across the New River Valley.
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.
An upper level storm system moved into Virginia late in the evening and with enough instability in place, a few scattered storms developed. One of the storms became severe, producing pockets of damaging winds across the New River Valley.
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 Jul 17, 12:59 PM EST, 5 hours 16 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 159 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will be shifting to the south through Tuesday. A front pushes into the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic toward Wednesday. This is going to increase the chance for storms Wednesday into Thursday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 200 PM EDT Monday... Hazy conditions continue with a few storms in the mountains. The northwest upper flow has pushed smoke from western Canada wildfires into the central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic region. Expect hazy skies this afternoon into tonight due to the smoke. High pressure at the surface will be pinched southward by a eastward moving cold front that reaches Ohio Valley by late tonight. A shortwave will move east across the region this afternoon into tonight. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will move across the mountains this afternoon and possibly as far east as the Blue Ridge by evening. The best chances will be in the northwest portions of the forecast area. The best instability look to reside west of our area so not expecting severe storms. SPC has painted the marginal to slight risk to our west. Instability subsides tonight, but another decent wave pushes across the TN Valley to Ohio Valley after midnight which due to sharpness of the trough should provide showers/maybe a thunderstorm across the mountains. Low temperatures tonight will range from the mid 50s in the mountains to the mid 60s in the Piedmont. Another shortwave will rotate around the broad upper trough Tuesday. This will result in scattered showers and thunderstorms with the best chances in during the afternoon. High temperatures Tuesday will vary from the mid 70s in the northwest mountains to the lower 90s in the Piedmont. Forecast confidence is Moderate during the Near Term Period. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 200 PM EDT Monday... Unsettled weather expected Wednesday and Thursday... The deterministic models are in good agreement that the eastern U.S. remains under a broad upper level trough, with embedded short waves moving through the region. While there is some uncertainty with the timing of these shortwaves, there appears to be at least a couple of opportunities for clusters of storms to impact our area during the short term period. The first wave comes through Wednesday and with slightly above average PWAT values and anomalously high CAPE and shear values, mainly in SW VA/NW NC, forecast by both the SREF and the ECMWF extreme forecast index, there is the potential for locally heavy rain and damaging winds. This threat will continue to be highlighted in the HWO. A stronger signal for the potential for severe weather is on Thursday as shown by both the CSU Machine Learning Probabilities Prediction page and the ECMWF extreme forecast index. With upper level winds increasing, a jump in PWAT values, and the GEFS showing a high probability of CAPES exceeding 1000 j/kg, along with a sfc boundary moving through, expect strong to severe storms to develop. The day with the greatest uncertainty in the short term period, is Friday as the deterministic models show large differences with the amount of drying and the forecast position of the low level boundary that pushes through Thursday. The multi-model ensemble output suggests a deeper upper level trough and a more southern location of the surfaced boundary is the most likely scenario, so placed lowest POPs in the short term period on this day. Deviated little from the NBM temp forecast with temperatures close to normal during the period. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 200 PM EDT Monday... Slightly below normal temperatures expected... The long range deterministic models and ensembles show a strong signal for a an anomalously deep upper level trough over our area with 500mb heights at least two standard deviations below normal. This will result in lower humidity levels and below normal temperatures through the period. As for precipitation chances, while PWAT values will be below normal during the period, an increasing low level easterly flow may bring enough shallow moisture to spawn scattered showers/isolated storms with chances increases through the long term period. && .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 130 AM EDT Monday... Isolated to scattered showers and storms are possible this afternoon into tonight in the western mountains. The taf sites with the best chances are KLWB and KBLF. Pockets of haze will reduce visibilities to 4 to 6 miles at times into Tuesday. Areas of fog will develop tonight into Tuesday morning with better chances at KLWB/KBCB and perhaps BLF mainly MVFR to IFR. KLWB may drop to LIFR Tuesday morning. Isolated MVFR showers and thunderstorms will develop Tuesday afternoon. Medium confidence in the ceilings,visibilities and winds during the taf period. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... The next chance for possibly sub-VFR with showers/storms will be Wednesday-Thursday with a slow moving front. Also, late night fog/low stratus possible at LWB and perhaps BCB. Unsettled weather continues Friday, then drier conditions arrive for Saturday into Sunday. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...PM/WP NEAR TERM...KK SHORT TERM...PH LONG TERM...PH AVIATION...KK/WP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 122 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023 NCZ001>003-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>034-043-181730- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes-Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland- Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig- Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin- Bedford-Henry- 122 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Storms Wednesday will be capable of producing heavy rainfall which could lead to flooding. A few storms could also become severe with damaging winds the main threat. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ035-044>047-058-059-181730- Amherst-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax- Charlotte- 122 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia and south central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ004>006-181730- Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell- 122 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Air Quality Alert Until Midnight Tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. WVZ042>044-507-508-181730- Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 122 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Air Quality Alert Until Midnight Tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Storms Wednesday will be capable of producing heavy rainfall which could lead to flooding. A few storms could also become severe with damaging winds the main threat. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
149 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023
WVZ508-171830-
Western Greenbrier WV-
149 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of
northwestern Greenbrier County through 230 PM EDT...
At 149 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles west of Richwood, moving east at 25 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...
Rainelle...
Rupert...
Quinwood...
Bingham...
Trout...
Williamsburg...
and Duo.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3826 8042 3822 8036 3817 8036 3796 8050
3788 8059 3797 8078 3799 8077 3799 8079
3802 8080 3803 8082 3804 8083 3806 8080
3805 8084 3808 8089 3810 8088 3808 8071
3826 8044
TIME...MOT...LOC 1749Z 283DEG 21KT 3819 8068
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
PHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
512 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023
WVZ507-508-172145-
Western Greenbrier WV-Eastern Greenbrier WV-
512 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of
west central Greenbrier County through 545 PM EDT...
At 512 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Rupert, 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...
Rainelle...
Rupert...
Quinwood...
Renick...
Falling Spring...
Bingham...
and Trout.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3796 8034 3784 8049 3791 8078 3795 8081
3799 8077 3799 8079 3801 8079 3803 8081
3809 8080 3808 8071 3811 8067 3812 8038
TIME...MOT...LOC 2112Z 276DEG 26KT 3801 8073
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BMGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
555 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023
WVZ043-044-507-508-172230-
Western Greenbrier WV-Summers WV-Eastern Greenbrier WV-Monroe WV-
555 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of
southwestern Greenbrier, northeastern Summers and northwestern Monroe
Counties through 630 PM EDT...
At 555 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Hix, or near Sandstone, 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...
Lewisburg...
Hinton...
Ronceverte...
Alderson...
Union...
Sandstone...
and Asbury.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3770 8039 3756 8050 3765 8095 3771 8093
3770 8090 3767 8090 3768 8088 3773 8090
3774 8092 3776 8091 3777 8089 3778 8090
3781 8089 3787 8040
TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 271DEG 28KT 3772 8078
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BMGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
615 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023
VAZ007-010-011-WVZ042-172245-
Tazewell VA-Giles VA-Bland VA-Mercer WV-
615 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of
southwestern Giles, northeastern Tazewell, Bland and southern Mercer
Counties through 645 PM EDT...
At 615 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Bluefield, moving east at 30 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...
Bluefield...
Bland...
Rocky Gap...
Bastian...
Pocahontas...
Oakvale...
and Ceres.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3731 8134 3734 8091 3719 8086 3712 8092
3711 8093 3710 8093 3706 8096 3705 8098
3717 8136
TIME...MOT...LOC 2215Z 280DEG 27KT 3724 8122
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
BMGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
639 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023
VAZ010>013-WVZ042-044-172315-
Giles VA-Pulaski VA-Bland VA-Wythe VA-Mercer WV-Monroe WV-
639 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of
central Pulaski, Giles, northeastern Bland, northeastern Wythe,
southeastern Mercer and southwestern Monroe Counties through 715 PM
EDT...
At 639 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Elgood to near Kimberling to near Bland.
Movement was east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Pulaski...
Bland...
Pearisburg...
Dublin...
Narrows...
Pembroke...
and Peterstown.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3722 8106 3744 8090 3744 8087 3743 8086
3744 8085 3746 8059 3708 8065 3697 8088
3714 8123
TIME...MOT...LOC 2239Z 291DEG 25KT 3737 8093 3720 8099 3714 8110
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
BMGThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 42 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:14 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds on Eggleston Road.
A couple trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds on Cascade Drive and Sinking Creek Road.
Three trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds and landed on a power line on the Forest Service Road in the Pandapas Pond day use area.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds on Chrisman Mill Road.
Numerous large tree branches were blown down by thunderstorm winds on Mount Tabor Road.
Several trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds on Shepherds Store Road.
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, July 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: 1113670, 1113668, 1113667, 1113677, 1113673, 1113675, 1116957.