A cold front passed through the region producing damaging thunderstorm winds across the Virginia Southside. Shear and high instability aided in the development and strength of these thunderstorms.
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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 cold front passed through the region producing damaging thunderstorm winds across the Virginia Southside. Shear and high instability aided in the development and strength of these thunderstorms.
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 2, 12:29 PM EST, 8 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 129 PM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023 .SYNOPSIS... The Mid Atlantic states and Carolinas will stay in a persistent summer pattern of humid weather and a daily chance of showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will remain typical for July. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 855 AM EDT Sunday... Increased chances for thunderstorms today... Thunderstorms across eastern KY to eastern TN are occurring ahead of a weak upper level shortwave extending from southeast OH through eastern KY into eastern TN, along with deep moisture convergence. With outflow boundaries, observed on neighboring radars, and moisture convergence shifting into our forecast area later this morning, expect these storms to impact areas mainly southeast WV and western VA. As a result, bumped up POPs for this area. Later this afternoon, forecast soundings and the HREF ensemble mean show MUCAPES reaching 1500-2000 J/kg, but it's still unclear where the low level forcing will be located for storms to develop. Several of the CAMs suggest storms will re- develop along and east of the Blue Ridge with models hinting at weak low level convergence in this area. So, continued to keep slightly higher POPs here. With DCAPES already greater than 800 j/kg on the 12Z RNK sounding and forecast PWAT values in excess of 2 inches, damaging winds and localized flooding due to intense rainfall rates are possible. Only minor adjustments were made to temperatures. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... As of 400 AM EDT Saturday... Daily precip chances... A trough will move through the OH Valley Monday, bringing with it a weak cold front. There are no coordinated signals coming from high res models regarding this system. Instability will be limited in our area, but the front will pass over us during peak heating Monday afternoon providing the best opportunity to ignite some showers and storms. Storm coverage will likely be better than this weekend, but any severe thunderstorm occurrences Monday will be isolated to scattered. As the front settles to our south, don't expect a major change in airmass. Day-to-day temperatures will not experience any great reduction, but a weak zone of surface high pressure will make the Fourth of July the day with the lowest PoPs this week. Temperatures will be a touch above normal during this period, with highs mostly in the 80s west of the Blue Ridge, and in the low 90s east. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 430 AM EDT Saturday... Diurnal showers and pulse storms typical of mid-summer will reappear most afternoons with little organization. The next opportunity for wider precipitation coverage comes late in the week; a front with uncertain timing should interact with the warm and moist environment to provide a little more organization to the daily convection. Depending on how progressive or fast this late week front moves through, the weekend could be more active if the front lingers, or a bit less active if it exits quickly. Timing should become more clear over the next couple days. && .AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 128 PM EDT Sunday... Early this afternoon, widely scattered thunderstorms had developed along an outflow boundary generated from decaying convection from this morning. These may impact KDAN before 20Z. Additional thunderstorms developing over the Ohio Valley are expected to sweep into our area this evening and early tonight, so kept VCTS at all TAF sites until 06Z when most of the convection is expected end. Early Monday morning, areas of fog are possible in the valleys, including KLWB and KBCB where visibilities may fall to MVFR to IFR levels. Any fog should erode by 13-14Z allowing for VFR conditions to prevail at all TAF sites tomorrow morning. Average confidence for ceiling, wind and visibility. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... The opportunity for TSRA continues into Monday afternoon and evening, especially east of the Blue Ridge. Widely scattered MVFR thunderstorms are possible each afternoon and evening from Wednesday through Friday, especially in the mountains. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...AMS NEAR TERM...AMS/PH SHORT TERM...VFJ LONG TERM...VFJ AVIATION...PH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 528 AM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023 NCZ001-002-018-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-033>035-WVZ042>044-507-508- 030930- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Watauga-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski- Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke- Botetourt-Rockbridge-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Mercer-Summers-Monroe- Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 528 AM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms, mainly this afternoon and evening. The primary threat is damaging wind, with a secondary threat of large hail. Intense rainfall rates may result in localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Reports should be submitted by phone by calling 1-866-215-4324, social media, by email at rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov or online at www.weather.gov/rnk. NCZ003>006-019-020-VAZ032-043>047-058-059-030930- Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Wilkes-Yadkin-Patrick-Henry- Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte- 528 AM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia and southwest Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms, mainly this afternoon and evening. The primary threat is damaging wind, with a secondary threat of large hail. Intense rainfall rates may result in localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms Monday. The primary threat is damaging wind, with a secondary threat of large hail, or an isolated tornado. Intense rainfall rates may result in localized flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Reports should be submitted by phone by calling 1-866-215-4324, social media, by email at rnk.skywarn@noaa.gov or online at www.weather.gov/rnk.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1009 AM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023
WVZ042-021430-
Mercer WV-
1009 AM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of
northwestern Mercer County through 1030 AM EDT...
At 1007 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Matoaka, moving east at 40 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...
Matoaka...
Camp Creek...
Spanishburg...
Wenonah...
Kegley...
and Camp Creek State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Locally, brief heavy rain, at the rate of two to four inches per
hour, 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 3742 8131 3741 8129 3742 8128 3744 8129
3745 8131 3753 8111 3741 8107 3737 8134
3738 8134
TIME...MOT...LOC 1407Z 249DEG 35KT 3742 8130
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
DSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1227 PM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023
VAZ013-014-021700-
Pulaski VA-Montgomery VA-
1227 PM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Pulaski and
southern Montgomery Counties as well as the City of Radford through
100 PM EDT...
At 1225 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
between Christiansburg and Radford, moving east at 20 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...
Christiansburg...
Radford...
Pilot...
Claytor Dam...
Claytor Lake State Park...
Graysontown...
and Childress.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Those
boating on Claytor Lake should head to shore immediately until the
storm has passed.
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.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3704 8065 3712 8059 3715 8018 3711 8018
3708 8028 3702 8035 3702 8038 3701 8039
3702 8041 3701 8041 3700 8042 3702 8043
3701 8044 3702 8045 3698 8049 3701 8052
3700 8052 3696 8057
TIME...MOT...LOC 1625Z 290DEG 17KT 3709 8043
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
RABPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1237 PM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1224 PM Hail 4 ENE Childress 37.09N 80.45W
07/02/2023 E0.25 inch Montgomery VA Amateur Radio
Hail approximately 1/8th inch diameter.
&&
RABPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1239 PM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1237 PM Hail 1 NNW Pilot 37.07N 80.37W
07/02/2023 E0.25 inch Montgomery VA Trained Spotter
&&
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1253 PM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023
NCZ003-004-VAZ032-021745-
Stokes NC-Surry NC-Patrick VA-
1253 PM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of
northeastern Surry, northwestern Stokes and southeastern Patrick
Counties through 145 PM EDT...
At 1253 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms
along a line extending from Stuart to Mt. Airy. Movement was east at
20 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...
Francisco...
Woodville...
Collinstown...
Westfield...
and Patrick Springs.
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.
These storms 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 3658 8005 3642 8037 3652 8056 3666 8028
TIME...MOT...LOC 1653Z 260DEG 18KT 3663 8027 3650 8051
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
RABSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1255 PM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023
VAZ017-033-021730-
Franklin VA-Floyd VA-
1255 PM EDT Sun Jul 2 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Floyd
and west central Franklin Counties through 130 PM EDT...
At 1255 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Terrys Fork, or near Pilot, 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...
Copper Hill...
Ferrum...
Terrys Fork...
Check...
and Callaway.
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.
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 3702 8038 3702 8035 3708 8028 3711 8018
3711 8017 3714 8011 3707 7989 3689 8002
TIME...MOT...LOC 1655Z 276DEG 27KT 3705 8026
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RABThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 57 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:37 UTC.
12 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree near the intersection of Pratt Road and Spencer Moores Mill, and another tree near the intersection of Deshazo Road and Turkey Trott Trail, which also brought down a power line.
Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous trees along Greensboro Road, or US 220, and on Bunk Creek Drive.
Thunderstorm winds downed a tree near the intersection of Elijah Circle and Chatham Road, and blocked the entire road.
Thunderstorm winds blew down four large trees on Axton Road.
Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree near the intersection of Friendly Road and Axton Road.
Thunderstorm winds downed several trees in the Tight Squeeze area.
Thunderstorm winds blew trees down onto houses in Windsor Heights.
Multiple trees were downed by thunderstorm winds in the Vernon Hill area of western Halifax County.
Thunderstorm winds blew down multiple trees and limbs in South Boston.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree on Pattie Road.
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree on Rock Island Road.
Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree on Self 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: 1109311, 1109310, 1108700, 1109314, 1108701, 1109309, 1109304, 1109300, 1109317, 1109297, 1109319, 1109318.