A line of thunderstorms quickly progressed across northwest North Carolina through the afternoon as an MCS (Mesoscale Convective System) tracked from the Ohio Valley into the Mid Atlantic and Central Appalachians. Strong daytime heating ahead of the line and high dewpoints lead to high surface based CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy), and DCAPE (Downdraft Convective Available Potential…
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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 line of thunderstorms quickly progressed across northwest North Carolina through the afternoon as an MCS (Mesoscale Convective System) tracked from the Ohio Valley into the Mid Atlantic and Central Appalachians. Strong daytime heating ahead of the line and high dewpoints lead to high surface based CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy), and DCAPE (Downdraft Convective Available Potential Energy) values. This environment led to widespread damaging winds.
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 May 26, 1:52 PM EST, 2 hours 19 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 252 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A series of disturbances will pass across the lower Mid-Atlantic through Monday, triggering rounds of shower and thunderstorm activity ahead of an approaching cold front. The front will pass across the central Appalachians Monday evening, ushering in drier and slightly cooler weather for much of the coming week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Sunday... Key Messages: 1. A line of showers and thunderstorms will arrive from the west this afternoon and evening. Severe Thunderstorm Watch 317 has been issued for the western half of the forecast area. 2. Another line of showers and thunderstorms may arrive early in the morning on Memorial Day, though timing and intensity are less certain. 3. Finally, isolated thunderstorms may be possible Monday afternoon and evening, but confidence is low. An impressive line of severe thunderstorms was moving rapidly through the OH and TN Valleys, and will continue to push east at around 40-50 mph through this evening. Numerous reports of 60+ mph wind gusts have already occurred with this MCS, and there is a near continuous line of storms from Green Bay to Cincinnati to Knoxville at this time. The system may weaken slightly as it encounters the Blue Ridge, and west of here is where the Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued until 9 PM. To the east, still expect storms to move through between 7 to 10 pm. There is a chance the Watch may be expanded downstream to include the Piedmont. Current temperatures were in the 70s and 80s, with dew points in the upper 50s to upper 60s. This has yielded MLCAPEs in the 1500-2500 J/kg range, with DCAPEs maxed out in our northern NC counties around 1100 J/kg. Wind shear in the lower levels is about 30 kts between the surface to 3km, and bulk shear is around 45 kts. Thankfully there is little directional shear, so this does not look like a big tornado day, but spin ups along the front edge of the MCS may turn into brief tornadoes. The main concern here will be damaging winds, heavy downpours leading to localized flooding, and intense lightning. With it being Memorial Day weekend, plenty of people are outside, and we urge you to pay attention to this rapidly evolving weather scenario today and tomorrow. Remember to head indoors and stay away from water when lightning is near, and have multiple ways to get warnings. By 10 pm, the severe threat will temporarily diminish as the line passes out of our area to the east, bringing a brief lull in the organized activity, with only residual showers to contend with. However, decent agreement exists in the rapid update weather forecast models that another line of storms will approach from the west during the predawn hours Monday/Memorial Day and shift east, sweeping east-southeast by mid morning. Finally, there is a chance for some redevelopment of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening Monday, but believe the morning convection may impact and degrade this, so confidence in that is low. Expect early morning lows to start Memorial Day to range from the low to mid 60s, and highs to reach the mid 70s to low 80s for the mountains, and the mid to upper 80s for the Piedmont. Overall confidence in the near term is moderate. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... ... As of 215 PM EDT Sunday... Key Messages: 1: Low chance of lingering storms in the wake of a front Monday night 2: Quiet, breezy, and cool Tuesday onward A front will have mostly made its way through our CWA and into central VA by Monday night. A few lingering post-frontal showers and storms could continue to crop up, but the main line with most of the severe potential will have occurred earlier in the day. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will all have more or less similar weather conditions. Surface high pressure will gradually move down from the western Great Lakes and over the Mid- Atlantic, will suppress precip chances. In the mean time we will be in the western half of a mid- level trough, wherein a few weak embedded shortwaves may pass through. This would only serve to amplify cloud cover in the mountains and perhaps spawn an isolated shower or two. Temps will cool into the 60s for the mountains and mid to upper 70s for the Piedmont. Fairly cool for late May/early June. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... ... As of 230 PM EDT Sunday... Key Messages: 1: Low confidence in timing of next frontal system over the weekend Surface high pressure will remain in control of weather and suppress precip through Saturday. This will keep things cool with light breezes and scattered clouds. The next front could be expected at earliest on Sunday morning. That solution is a bit of an outlier amongst long range models. Most don't have the next front impacting the Mid-Atlantic until late Sunday or into Monday. Also unclear what the potential impacts with this front would be, though given the fact that it is early June, a frontal passage generally includes thunderstorms. && .AVIATION /16Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Sunday... VFR conditions continue until a line of SHRA/TSRA arrives this afternoon and evening. This line is expected to move rapidly from west to east, and some storms especially along and west of the Blue Ridge are likely to become severe, producing damaging wind gusts, though large hail and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out also. Downpours and low ceilings will accompany the storms, but are expected to remain temporary, improving as the convection passes. Ceilings improve to VFR for a few hours until another line approaches in the pre-dawn hours. Expect this line to dive SSE or dissipate as the morning goes on, with a return to VFR tomorrow. Severe chances look much lower with this line. SW/S winds turn more westerly tomorrow and become gusty. Also expect erratic gusts in any thunderstorms. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... There may be a few storms in the afternoon and evening Monday along an approaching front. However morning thunderstorms may squash this chance, so for now expecting mainly VFR. A front will cross through the area late Monday into early Tuesday, turning winds to the northwest and eventually bringing drier air to much of the area. A low chance for showers and thunderstorms will be possible across WV Tuesday and Wednesday, otherwise VFR. VFR everywhere Thursday. Patchy fog with periods of MVFR/LIFR will be possible in the mornings near mountain and river valleys. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...NF/SH NEAR TERM...SH/NF SHORT TERM...RAB LONG TERM...RAB AVIATION...SH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 204 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 NCZ001>003-018>020-VAZ007-009>013-015-016-WVZ042>044-507-508-271815- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes-Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland- Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Grayson-Carroll-Mercer-Summers-Monroe- Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 204 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 317 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, southwest Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. There is a slight risk for severe thunderstorms Monday morning and again Monday afternoon. The main hazard with any thunderstorms would be large hail and damaging wind gusts. Locally heavy rainfall will also be possible once again which could result in localized flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. NCZ004>006-VAZ014-017>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-271815- Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Montgomery-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath- Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry- Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte- 204 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a marginal to slight risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight. The main hazard with any thunderstorms would be damaging winds gusts and large hail. Locally heavy rainfall is also possible which could result in localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. There is a slight risk for severe thunderstorms Monday morning and again Monday afternoon. The main hazard with any thunderstorms would be large hail and damaging wind gusts. Locally heavy rainfall will also be possible once again which could result in localized flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
451 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0430 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SSE Chilhowie 36.78N 81.67W
05/26/2024 Smyth VA 911 Call Center
A tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds
along Grinstead Hill Road near Whitetop
Road. The road is blocked by the debris.
&&
16Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
456 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0434 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NE Chilhowie 36.83N 81.64W
05/26/2024 Smyth VA 911 Call Center
A large tree was observed blown down by
thunderstorm winds across Porter Valley
Road, and is completely blocking the road.
&&
16Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
457 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
VAZ033-034-262130-
Franklin VA-Bedford VA-
457 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL BEDFORD AND
NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM EDT...
At 457 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Chamblissburg, or near Moneta, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Bedford...
Moneta...
Stewartsville...
Huddleston...
Chamblissburg...
Goode...
and Thaxton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
If on or near Smith Mountain Lake, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 3744 7941 3724 7933 3717 7937 3713 7985
3729 7983
TIME...MOT...LOC 2057Z 254DEG 21KT 3724 7970
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BMGPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
501 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0425 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 E Allison Gap 36.90N 81.74W
05/26/2024 Smyth VA 911 Call Center
A tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds
along Upper Poore Valley Road, taking down
power lines and a power meter as it fell.
&&
16Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
506 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0440 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NNW Marion 36.89N 81.53W
05/26/2024 Smyth VA 911 Call Center
Multiple trees were blown down by
thunderstorm winds along the Buchanan
Highway at Hungry Mother State Park, some of
which were partially blocking the road.
&&
16Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
511 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ESE Mercer County Air 37.30N 81.20W
05/26/2024 M60 MPH Mercer WV ASOS
A 52 knot gust was recorded by the ASOS at
the Mercer County Airport (KBLF).
&&
16The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 115 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:13 UTC.
8 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm winds downed several trees near the Crumpler area.
Several trees were downed by thunderstorm winds near the Grassy Creek area.
Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree in the 1700 block of Bryant Road.
Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree that blocked a lane of traffic in the 400 block of City View Drive, another large tree at the intersection of Newsome Street and Garden Terrace that blocked both lanes of traffic, and another large tree on Slate Road.
Thunderstorm winds downed a tree, which landed on and caused minor damage to Dobson Church on Christ Road. Powerlines were also downed by thunderstorm winds in the 2700 block of Siloam Road in Mount Airy at the Farm House.
Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree near the intersection of Pinnacle Hotel Road and Old Pinnacle Hotel Road that blocked both lanes of traffic, and another large tree on US Highway 52 blocking the exit ramp lane at Exit 131.
Two large trees were downed by thunderstorm winds on US Highway 52 Bypass. One was near Pilot Mountain, and blocked both lanes of traffic, and the other was near the intersection with Thompson Road.
Thunderstorm winds downed a tree at the intersection of Ashland Road and Bethesda Church Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, May 2024
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: 1181546, 1181548, 1182486, 1181554, 1181570, 1181564, 1181557, 1182485.