Scattered thunderstorms developed along and east of a stationary front draped across central Virginia and produced heavy rain and flash flooding on June 23.
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 AKQ wrote it up.
Scattered thunderstorms developed along and east of a stationary front draped across central Virginia and produced heavy rain and flash flooding on June 23.
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 Wakefield, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 23, 11:04 AM EST, 2 hours 56 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Wakefield VA 1204 PM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023 .SYNOPSIS... Upper-level low pressure continues to linger over the eastern United States with a surface warm front moving northwest across the Mid-Atlantic. This pattern will result in daily chances of showers and thunderstorms through the weekend, with the continued potential for locally heavy rainfall. A cold front approaches from the west Monday, bringing another chance for thunderstorms. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 1205 PM EDT Friday... Midday weather analysis reveals upper trough still in place over the Ohio Valley into the central Appalachians. At the surface, a quasi-stationary frontal boundary is draped from just west of the Ches Bay to the piedmont of central VA into the western Carolinas. Morning soundings indicate PW values of 1.8+" at IAD/WAL, and 1.5-1.75 just to our S-SW. Scattered to numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms producing locally heavy rainfall continue across the RIC metro area into the I-85 corridor just SW of Farmville. Meanwhile, another shortwave lifting up across the area from the base of the upper trough set off another round of gusty showers and storms across the US-17 corridor towards southside Hampton Roads, inducing a funnel cloud report from the Pungo area of Va Beach. Those showers and storms have kicked offshore, but already seeing another round of showers and thundershowers over north-central NC moving into NE NC and southeast VA ahead of next shortwave. CAMs and morning RAP sounding profiles still point towards warm-rain processes/efficient rain producers (long/skinny CAPE and higher warm cloud depths AOA 12-13 kft). Storms will lift across our region through this afternoon, focused along I-95 and east, moving toward the northern neck, peninsula and eastern shore by late afternoon as the front slowly pushes toward the coast. Again, while severe threat is being monitored, primary concern is for heavy rain and potential training leading to flood issues, especially in urban and/or flood prone areas. WPC has a marginal risk for excessive rainfall because of the potential for localized flooding due to this potential for training storms. Rain/storm potential decreasing from S to N this evening and tonight, but given additional shortwave energy pivoting north across the area within the upper low and slow steering flow, will not remove PoP entirely overnight. High temperatures are not too far from latest temps in the upper 70s to around 80, with more widespread cloudiness and additional afternoon convection likely. It is possible a few locales over south central VA up to the northern neck could reach the mid 80s before showers move back in later this afternoon. Lows tonight mainly in the mid to upper 60s with scattered showers and possibly some patchy fog possible developing late. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... As of 400 AM EDT Friday... The upper-level low pressure will remain near the area through the weekend. In addition, models show lee troughing developing on Saturday. Temperatures will warm into the mid-upper 80s. Combined with dew points around 70, plentiful instability should again be on tap with aftn showers and storms possible. While showers/storms are possible everywhere, highest PoPs are across central VA Piedmont, near the lee troughing. Saturday night low temperatures will be in the mid 60s to lower 70s. Less showers and storm coverage is expected on Sunday, but more typical for summer. Pops will increase to 30-40% by the afternoon. Temperatures will return near summertime normals. Highs will be in the mid 80s to near 90F. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 200 AM EDT Friday... Models continue to be in good agreement regarding early next week with low pressure moving through the Great Lakes region into the Northeast Monday into Tuesday, dragging a cold front across the local area. Thunderstorms are likely along a weak cold front Monday afternoon into Monday night, and become more scattered Tuesday with the upper-level moving over the region. As of now, there is the potential for severe weather Monday afternoon into Monday night with models already indicating the potential for ~1500 J/kg of MLCAPE and decent wind shear across the region. Warm S to SW flow ahead of the front should also allow for temperatures on Monday to climb into the upper 80s to around 90. Remaining unsettled with additional chances for showers and thunderstorms Tuesday with the front likely lingering near or just offshore of the local area. Wednesday and Thursday will feature afternoon shower and thunderstorm chances (~20 to 40% PoPs) with high temperatures in the 80s and lows in the 60s. && .AVIATION /15Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 200 AM EDT Friday... A warm front is located over southeastern VA. IFR/MVFR cigs prevail to the N and west of the boundary (RIC/SBY), with primarily VFR conditions S of the boundary (PHF/ORF/ECG). Deep southerly flow prevails aloft with an upper low centered W of the region. Scattered showers and a few tstms are lifting NNE across central NC and the VA Piedmont and could impact RIC with brief IFR/LIFR vsby possible in heavy rain. Cigs at RIC/SBY are expected to be IFR/LIFR tonight into Friday morning, VFR at ORF/ECG, and are forecast to return to MVFR at PHF, but could drop to IFR. Scattered showers slowly move E overnight, with only brief vsby restrictions possible in heavy rain, although some 3-5sm BR is possible N (mainly at SBY) of the front overnight. Cigs gradually improve Friday morning, and should primarily be MVFR/VFR by aftn. The warm front will become more aligned SSW- NNE Friday aftn, with the potential for showers/tstms in vicinity of the boundary, especially across central/e-central VA, with IFR/LIFR vsby possible in heavy rain. The wind will generally be E/ESE 5-8kt N of the boundary tonight, and SSE 5-10kt to the S of the front. with the wind becoming SSW 8-12kt at most sites Friday aftn (outside of showers/tstms). Aftn/evening shower/tstm chances persist into the weekend. The coverage should be less on Saturday/Sunday compared to Friday. The next chance for widespread showers/tstms returns Monday ahead of a cold front, and this could potentially linger into Tuesday. && .MARINE... As of 310 AM EDT Friday... An area of low pressure (at the surface and aloft) is tracking N well to the west of the waters, with the associated warm front extending E across the mid/upper bay and MD coastal waters. Winds are generally SSE at 10-15 kt (with gusts to 20 kt) south of the front, with E-ESE winds of 5-15 kt north of the front. Seas are 3-4 ft, with ~2 ft waves on the bay. Have allowed all SCAs to expire. The front will move well to the north of the waters today, with winds becoming S-SSW at ~15 kt later today through the first part of tonight. While a few gusts to 20 kt are likely, these are not expected to be frequent enough to warrant SCAs. Showers/tstms are likely throughout much of the day, which could result in brief higher gusts. As usual, these brief higher gusts will be handled with SMWs or MWSs. Prevailing sub-SCA conditions are expected to continue through the weekend with southerly winds around 10 kt. Seas will be 3-4 ft with mainly 1-2 ft waves. A period of low-end SCAs is possible Mon aftn-Mon night (due to gusty SSW winds) as a low pressure system tracks well to our north and a cold front approaches from the west. && .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... As of 310 AM EDT Friday... Water levels along the Pasquotank River at Elizabeth City and Chowan River in Edenton continue to hover around minor flood thresholds. Therefore, the Coastal Flood Advisory has been extended until 15z/11 AM along the Albemarle Sound and adjacent rivers. A Coastal Flood Statement has been issued for the high tide this morning along the tidal Potomac/bay side of the MD Ern Shore for nuisance to low-end minor flooding. Water levels are expected to remain below minor flood thresholds after today. A high rip current risk will continue for all beaches today (due to lingering E-ENE swell). Will maintain the moderate rip risk on Saturday. && .AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. NC...None. VA...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS...MAM NEAR TERM...CP/MAM SHORT TERM...CP/SW LONG TERM...AJB/CP AVIATION...CP/MAM MARINE...ERI TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wakefield VA 520 AM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023 MDZ021>024-NCZ012>014-030-VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>090-092-093- 095>097-509>525-240930- Dorchester-Wicomico-Somerset-Inland Worcester-Northampton-Hertford- Gates-Bertie-Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline- Mecklenburg-Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Westmoreland-Richmond- Northumberland-Lancaster-Brunswick-Dinwiddie-Prince George- Charles City-New Kent-Gloucester-Middlesex-Mathews-Greensville- Sussex-Surry-James City-Southampton-Isle of Wight-Norfolk/Portsmouth- Suffolk-Chesapeake-Western Louisa-Eastern Louisa-Western Hanover- Eastern Hanover-Western Chesterfield- Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights)- Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond)-Eastern Henrico- Western King William-Eastern King William-Western King and Queen- Eastern King and Queen-Western Essex-Eastern Essex-York-Newport News- Hampton/Poquoson- 520 AM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, northeast North Carolina, central Virginia, east central Virginia, eastern Virginia, north central Virginia, south central Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Showers and thunderstorms are possible today, with localized flooding the primary threat, especially in urban and suburban areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Additional showers and thunderstorms are possible on Saturday, with gusty winds and heavy rainfall the primary threats. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ015>017-031-032-240930- Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck-Chowan-Perquimans- 520 AM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023 ...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM EDT THIS MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast North Carolina. .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. Coastal Flood Advisory. Showers and thunderstorms are possible today, with localized flooding the primary threat, especially in urban and suburban areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Additional showers and thunderstorms are possible on Saturday, with gusty winds and heavy rainfall the primary threats. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. MDZ025-NCZ102-VAZ098>100-240930- Maryland Beaches-Eastern Currituck-Virginia Beach-Accomack- Northampton- 520 AM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, northeast North Carolina, eastern Virginia and southeast 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. Beach Hazards Statement. HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK. Showers and thunderstorms are possible today, with localized flooding the primary threat, especially in urban and suburban areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Additional showers and thunderstorms are possible on Saturday, with gusty winds and heavy rainfall the primary threats. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
1047 AM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1041 AM Funnel Cloud 3 SE Back Bay 36.62N 76.00W
06/23/2023 City of Virginia BeVA Trained Spotter
Wall cloud and developing, though heavily
rain-wrapped, funnel cloud heading toward
Back Bay.
&&
05Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
1200 PM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023
VAZ093-096-523>525-231630-
Isle of Wight VA-Hampton/Poquoson VA-Newport News VA-Suffolk VA-
York VA-
1200 PM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of east central Isle of
Wight, and southeastern York Counties, the City of Poquoson, the
northeastern City of Suffolk, the City of Hampton and the southern
City of Newport News through 1230 PM EDT...
At 1200 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Beaconsdale to Kings Fork. Movement was
northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Reduced visibilty and minor flooding
possible.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Christopher Newport University, Patrick Henry Field, Northampton
and Beaconsdale around 1205 PM EDT.
Newport News, Hampton, Langley AFB and Tabb around 1210 PM EDT.
Seaford and Crittenden around 1220 PM EDT.
Suffolk around 1225 PM EDT.
Rescue around 1230 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Carrollton, Langley
View, Longview, Benns Church, Wills Corner, Hilton Village,
Chuckatuck, Indika, Dare and Hobson.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Be prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Do not
drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3680 7672 3708 7654 3723 7642 3719 7631
3718 7630 3716 7627 3714 7625 3671 7663
TIME...MOT...LOC 1600Z 208DEG 27KT 3706 7647 3678 7661
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH
MMPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
1226 PM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1050 AM Waterspout 2 NNE Sandbridge Beach 36.75N 75.93W
06/23/2023 ANZ656 VA Trained Spotter
Spotted reported waterspout moving offshore
Sandbridge. Time estimated from radar.
&&
SCWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
1252 PM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023
VAZ095-097-098-525-231700-
Hampton/Poquoson VA-Norfolk/Portsmouth VA-Chesapeake VA-
Virginia Beach VA-
1252 PM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of the City of Norfolk,
the northwestern City of Chesapeake, the City of Portsmouth, the
northwestern City of Virginia Beach and the City of Hampton through
100 PM EDT...
At 1251 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Buckroe Beach to Norfolk to Deep Creek.
Movement was northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Reduced visibilty and minor flooding
possible.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Hampton, Virginia Wesleyan University, Hampton University, Grand
View, Buckroe Beach and Fort Monroe around 1255 PM EDT.
Ocean View, Kempsville and Norfolk International around 100 PM
EDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include South Norfolk,
Bayside, Fox Hill, Portlock, Phoebus, Wards Corner, Herberts Corner
and Willoughby Spit.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Be prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Do not
drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
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 3691 7605 3666 7638 3682 7640 3706 7633
3708 7631 3708 7630 3710 7630 3710 7628
3711 7629 3715 7626 3709 7623 3707 7623
3700 7626 3697 7621 3695 7609
TIME...MOT...LOC 1651Z 216DEG 19KT 3705 7627 3690 7627 3675 7631
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH
MMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
125 PM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023
VAZ080-082-083-511>517-231815-
Eastern Hanover VA-Charles City VA-New Kent VA-
Western Chesterfield VA-Western King William VA-Western Hanover VA-
Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond) VA-Dinwiddie VA-
Eastern Henrico VA-Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights) VA-
125 PM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Chesterfield,
northwestern Charles City, northwestern New Kent, Henrico,
southeastern Hanover and northeastern Dinwiddie Counties, the City of
Richmond and the City of Colonial Heights through 215 PM EDT...
At 125 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Tuckahoe to Chesterfield Court House to
near Matoaca. Movement was northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Reduced visibilty and minor flooding
possible.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Chester, Bon Air, University Of Richmond and Tuckahoe around 130
PM EDT.
Virginia Union University and Bellwood around 135 PM EDT.
Richmond, Laurel, Lakeside and Bensley around 140 PM EDT.
Hopewell, Mechanicsville, Virginia Commonwealth University,
Downtown Richmond, Glen Allen and East Highland Park around 145 PM
EDT.
Randolph Macon College around 150 PM EDT.
Ashland and Highland Springs around 155 PM EDT.
Hanover and Kings Dominion around 200 PM EDT.
Studley around 205 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Richmond Heights,
Addison, Gum Tree, Mountcastle, Elko, Elmont, Montrose, Sandston,
Glendale and Westwood.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Be prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Do not
drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3788 7748 3784 7743 3782 7741 3781 7742
3780 7739 3778 7740 3778 7737 3780 7736
3753 7698 3731 7729 3731 7735 3725 7738
3722 7745 3720 7744 3713 7755 3751 7769
3756 7766 3758 7762 3760 7764
TIME...MOT...LOC 1725Z 223DEG 30KT 3756 7761 3737 7753 3719 7749
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
MMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
259 PM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023
VAZ082>084-090-518-520-231945-
Charles City VA-New Kent VA-Eastern King William VA-
Eastern King and Queen VA-Gloucester VA-James City VA-
259 PM EDT Fri Jun 23 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Gloucester, southeastern King and Queen, northeastern Charles City,
southeastern New Kent and northwestern James City Counties through
345 PM EDT...
At 259 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Holdcroft, or 7 miles west of Toano, moving northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Reduced visibilty and minor flooding
possible.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Toano around 315 PM EDT.
Barhamsville around 320 PM EDT.
West Point around 335 PM EDT.
Shacklefords around 340 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Holly Forks, Eltham,
Chickahominy Shore, York River State Park, Croaker, Gressit, Lanexa,
Mattaponi, Warren Mill and Diascund.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Be prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Do not
drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3766 7672 3746 7654 3741 7668 3744 7670
3743 7671 3741 7669 3733 7694 3743 7703
TIME...MOT...LOC 1859Z 234DEG 19KT 3739 7694
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH
ButnerThe Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 77 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:57 UTC.
4 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Virginia Highway 324 was closed due to standing water.
Flooding was reported around the University of Richmond. College Road was closed due to standing water.
A COOP Observer measured 2.82 inches of rain with streets and yards flooded.
Standing water was reported on Farnham Circle.
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, June 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: 1112407, 1112410, 1112414, 1112420.