A stationary front positioned roughly from New York to the Gulf Coast led to several rounds of showers and thunderstorms in the Piedmont of Virginia. An upper level storm system combined with daytime heating helped increased the coverage of storms during the afternoon and evening hours, while low level convergence along the front focused the thunderstorm activity near the mountains.
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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 stationary front positioned roughly from New York to the Gulf Coast led to several rounds of showers and thunderstorms in the Piedmont of Virginia. An upper level storm system combined with daytime heating helped increased the coverage of storms during the afternoon and evening hours, while low level convergence along the front focused the thunderstorm activity near the mountains.
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 Sep 8, 2:03 PM EST, 3 hours 32 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 303 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023 .SYNOPSIS... A slow moving front will keep us in an unsettled weather pattern through the weekend. This front exits by early next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 156 PM EDT Friday... Key Messages: 1)May have some localized flooding issues this afternoon/evening across WV and far SW VA 2) Severe threat will be isolated this afternoon/evening. 3)Periods of moderate to heavy showers possible again Saturday Fairly quiet early this afternoon, as we have slow recovery from the stratus/fog this morning. Boundary lies from central VA into the NC mountains. An upper trough/low over southern GA into Florida will shift slowly east while another shortwave works from the lower Ohio Valley into Kentucky. A piece of upper energy ahead of the main shortwave will interact with the front to develop showers/storms across the central Appalachians into the Upper TN Valley this afternoon, and high resolution models have been showing this with less coverage east. SBCAPEs of 1500-2000 J/kg should be enough to fuel storms, but overall severe threat will be somewhat limited by the cloud cover, and looking more of potential hydro threat in the mountains despite faster storm motion as models hint at training cells along the boundary. Further east more sunshine will aid in instability but coverage looks to be isolated/widely scattered into this evening, but severe threat is higher, though still isolated. Damaging winds would be the main threat. Coverage will start to subside overnight but another upper wave and slow movement of front will keep threat of showers around but more scattered in coverage. Southeast flow and upper divergence Saturday morning will start to bring a better chance of showers into the southern Blue Ridge/foothills during the morning with coverage expanding northwest through the day. Saturday looks wetter, but with more clouds, instability will be limited. So heavy rain will be more of an issue as opposed severe storms. Will have to see how rain plays out this afternoon/tonight if any watches are needed. Fog may be an issue again tonight if we clear out enough but overall think will be limited. Lows stay muggy in the 60s, with cooler highs Saturday in the 70s, except for a few lower 80s in the piedmont. Showers will linger into Sat night as the upper trough stays over the TN valley. Lows still in the 60s. Forecast confidence is high on coverage of storms through this evening and on the sky cover, but moderate on temps Saturday. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... As of 245 PM EDT Friday... Key Messages: - Little change in the weather pattern is expected through the period. - Shower and thunderstorm chances continue. - Temperatures trend to near normal. An upper trough will remain over the eastern U.S. through the period. Abundant moisture will continue to be drawn northward from the Gulf of Mexico with a good southerly fetch through the period. Several short waves are progged to track through the upper trough parked over the area. This will result in daily chances for showers and a few thunderstorms. Locally heavy rainfall and localized flooding will be the main concerns through the period. Cloud cover will hold down temperatures as well as instability, so the severe threat should be limited. All-in-all temperatures are expected to be near normal for maxes and above normal for mins as dewpoints, pwats, and relative humidity levels remain high for this time of year. Low clouds and fog will prevail in many areas at night. Convective activity will be on a diurnal swing, but given the pattern, some showers will linger overnight and into the morning hours at times. High temperatures will be mostly in the 70s with a few lower 80s in the Piedmont where a glimpse or two of sun is possible. Low temperatures will be mostly in the 50s mountains to the 60s elsewhere. /Confidence Levels in Forecast Parameters/ - Moderate to High Confidence in Temperatures, - Moderate to High Confidence in Precipitation Probabilities, - Moderate Confidence in Wind Direction and Speed. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 250 PM EDT Friday... Key Messages: - Upper trough slowly lifts northeast, but trend is slow at best. - Keeping an eye on Hurricane Lee looming in the Atlantic. Troughing remains over the eastern U.S. with a slow weakening, but given another trough developing over the Great Lakes area, troughing really never leaves the eastern U.S. Meanwhile, major Hurricane Lee looms in the western Atlantic increasingly close to the northeastern U.S. For our region, precipitation chances slowly wane, but likely never really go away completely. No major changes to temperatures with the synoptic pattern more or less remaining in place. 850mb temperatures remain above normal for mid-September, but clouds and high humidity levels will keep daytime temperatures in check. Nighttime temperatures will trend a bit cooler through the period. Look for highs mainly 70s with lows in the 50s. /Confidence Levels in Forecast Parameters/ - Moderate to High Confidence in Temperatures, - Moderate Confidence in Precipitation Probabilities, - Moderate Confidence in Wind Direction and Speed. && .AVIATION /19Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 138 PM EDT Friday... Maintaining a drier forecast east of the mountains this afternoon, but thunderstorms should fire up and/or move across the area after 21z but will be widely scattered aside from the VA/WV mtns, where have tempo tsra at LWB/BLF after 20z. As with any storms, MVFR or lower to be an issue on cigs/vsbys. As we head through this evening, showers should be less in coverage but will not be completely dry. Another case expected with lower cigs developing and moist low levels resulting in sub-VFR ceilings will likely keep fog limited to MVFR/IFR. This will run roughly from 06z-13z, but confidence is low on to how low cigs/vsbys drop, but high confidence on sub-VFR. Keeping it dry for now in the tafs through 18z with best coverage after the end of this taf period. Amendments will likely be needed. Once any fog/low clouds disperse, looking at mainly VFR after 15z, but sub-VFR still possible along the Blue Ridge. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... Through Sunday night: Showers/storms will occur off/on with best chances in the afternoon/evenings, with VFR outside of storms, but sub-VFR in storms and any late night low clouds/fog. Monday through Wednesday: We begin a transition to drier weather with VFR expected, although an isolated afternoon -SHRA/TSRA will be possible for the mountains terminals. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...AMS/WP NEAR TERM...WP SHORT TERM...RAB LONG TERM...RAB AVIATION...AMS/WP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 242 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023 NCZ004>006-VAZ032-043>047-058-059-091845- Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Patrick-Henry-Pittsylvania-Campbell- Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte- 242 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia and southwest Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few storms this afternoon and evening could become strong to severe with damaging wind the main threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms may bring locally heavy rainfall to the area for Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ001>003-018>020-VAZ007-009-010-012-015-016-091845- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes-Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland- Wythe-Grayson-Carroll- 242 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Thunderstorms this afternoon will bring heavy rainfall which could lead to localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms may bring locally heavy rainfall to the area for Saturday, with localized flooding possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ011-013-014-017>020-022>024-033>035-WVZ042>044-507-508-091845- Giles-Pulaski-Montgomery-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke- Botetourt-Rockbridge-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Mercer-Summers-Monroe- Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 242 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms this afternoon may be severe. Damaging winds are the main threat, with large hail and localized flooding possible as well. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms may bring locally heavy rainfall to the area Saturday. .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.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1250 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1100 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Martinsville City 36.68N 79.87W
09/07/2023 City of MartinsvillVA 911 Call Center
Tree down on Short Street. Time estimated
from radar.
&&
VFJPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
101 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1115 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 S Figsboro 36.74N 79.85W
09/07/2023 Henry VA 911 Call Center
Trees down at the intersection of Barrows
Mill Road and Terrys Mountain Road. Time
estimated from radar.
&&
VFJPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
135 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0759 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ESE Vernon Hill 36.75N 79.08W
09/07/2023 Halifax VA Fire Dept/Rescue
Large tree limb around 6 inches in diameter
and close to 20 feet long across Mountain
Road near H&H Grocery. Time estimated from
radar.
&&
VFJSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
547 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
VAZ007-009-WVZ042-082230-
Tazewell VA-Smyth VA-Mercer WV-
547 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
SMYTH...TAZEWELL AND WESTERN MERCER COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM EDT...
At 542 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking slow-moving thunderstorms
across portions of Smyth, Tazewell and Mercer Counties, most of
which were moving to the north at less than 10 mph. In addition to
the possibility of gusty winds, these storms are producing locally
heavy rainfall at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. These heavy
downpours may result in ponding of water on roadways, standing water
in low lying areas, and minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas
of poor drainage.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Marion...
Richlands...
Bluefield...
Tazewell...
Saltville...
Chilhowie...
and Cedar Bluff.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building until the
storms leave the area.
When encountering heavy rain, drivers are urged to slow down and use
extra caution to avoid hydroplaning.
&&
LAT...LON 3724 8174 3720 8168 3721 8156 3727 8142
3746 8131 3751 8121 3757 8120 3759 8111
3758 8109 3723 8123 3715 8133 3712 8126
3709 8127 3704 8146 3697 8140 3663 8162
3679 8170 3693 8183 3696 8178 3714 8190
TIME...MOT...LOC 2142Z 180DEG 13KT 3716 8158
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
16The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 135 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:34 UTC.
11 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was downed by thunderstorm winds near the intersection of Cove Road and Neals Corner Road.
A few trees were downed by thunderstorm winds, one on Ridgeway Road and two on Coles Ferry Loop Road.
Two trees were downed by thunderstorm winds on Aspen Road.
Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees on Cook Avenue and Dog Creek Road. Some powerlines were also downed by thunderstorm winds on Cook Avenue.
Multiple trees were downed by thunderstorms along a line from just east of Brookneal to the Hat Creek Community.
Thunderstorm winds downed a tree on Forest Chapel Road and another near the intersection of Bowler Creek Road and Rocks Church Road.
A tree was downed by thunderstorm winds on Old Evergreen Road.
Quarter sized hail observed near the intersection of State Road 646 and Route 24.
Two trees were downed by thunderstorm winds near the intersection of Mount Rush Highway and Toga Road.
A tree was downed by thunderstorm winds near the intersection of Woods Road and Texas School Road.
Two trees were downed by thunderstorm winds on Possum Island Road.
A tree was downed by thunderstorm winds near the intersection of Patterson Road and Howardsville 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, September 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: 1140852, 1140853, 1140850, 1140855, 1140851, 1140856, 1140857, 1140844, 1140845, 1140846, 1140848, 1140847.