Scattered storms developed across central Virginia on August 26 under a belt of northwest flow aloft. A few storms became severe and produced damaging winds across portions of central Virginia.
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 storms developed across central Virginia on August 26 under a belt of northwest flow aloft. A few storms became severe and produced damaging winds across portions of central Virginia.
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 Aug 26, 12:49 PM EST, 1 hour 39 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Wakefield VA 149 PM EDT Mon Aug 26 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Scattered showers and storms are possible this afternoon and evening. Warmer and gradually more humid conditions return for midweek. A weak front approaches late week, and will bring chances for showers and storms back to the region late this week into the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 930 AM EDT Monday... Key Message: - Warming trend continues today with highs in the upper 80 to low 90s. - Scattered showers and storms are possible this afternoon and evening, generally along and N of I-64. Broad high pressure remains over the region this morning. Aloft, flow over the area is northwesterly between deep ridging over the central CONUS and a lingering upper trough over New England. Mostly sunny aside from some mid clouds over the Northern Neck and Eastern Shore. Temperatures are rising through the 70s. Temperatures will rise into the upper 80s to low 90s inland with mid and upper 80s near the coast by this afternoon. Showers and storms are possible this afternoon and evening as a speed max/shortwave trough rotates around the SW flank of the New England upper low. This feature will have the greatest influence across N and NE portions of the area, contributing to deep layer shear on the order of 25-35 kts. SPC has included areas from Caroline County SE into the Northern Neck as well as the Eastern Shore in a Marginal Risk of strong to severe storms this afternoon and evening. The main threat from any storms will be strong to severe straight line winds. Deep moisture continues to increase but is likely going to be the limiting factor in greater storm coverage this afternoon/evening. Showers may linger into the early overnight hours across the eastern half of the area. Temps fall into the mid and upper 60s inland to the low 70s along the coast. Some fog/low stratus is possible overnight, especially in areas that are able to get appreciable rainfall today. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... As of 340 AM EDT Monday... Key Messages: - Mainly dry with summer heat and humidity returning for the midweek period. The upper ridge builds NE into Mid-Mississippi Valley on Tuesday which will help keep a lid on any shower and storms potential. Height rises will allow temps to creep into the low 90s over much of the area outside of the immediate coast/Eastern Shore. Dew points rise into the upper 60s to low 70s Tuesday which will result in afternoon heat indices in the mid and upper 90s. Lows overnight generally in the low 70s. The hottest day of the forecast period still looks to occur on Wednesday as upper heights continue to slowly build across the region. High temperatures in the mid to upper 90s with dew points in the upper 60s to low 70s will result in afternoon heat indices of 100-105. Inland locations along and east of I-95 have the greatest chance of seeing a few hours with heat indices aoa 105F Wednesday afternoon. A Heat Advisory may be necessary for these areas in subsequent forecasts. The record high temp for 8/28 at Richmond is 100 degrees, tying or exceeding this value is at least possible though not explicitly forecast at this time. Elsewhere, temperatures should stay a few degrees below record values. Shower and storm chances are very low with large-scale subsidence from the strong ridge aloft but a few showers may sneak into the far northern counties after sunset Wednesday evening, though coverage is expected to be isolated at best. Continued warm and muggy overnight with lows in the mid 70s. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 340 AM EDT Monday... Key Message: - Shower and storm chances return Thursday and Friday as a weak front lingers near the area. - A stronger front approaches from the west Saturday into Sunday. Strong heat ridge lingers into Thursday, gradually weakening as it pushes into the Mid-South by late week. This should allow for one more day of well above normal temperatures on Thursday. Highs in the mid 90s are expected inland, with heat indices rising above 100 for much of the area again Thursday afternoon. A Heat Advisory may be needed once again over at least a portion of the area. Cooler toward the coast with mid and upper 80s in the forecast. A convective complex to our north looks to drive a weak front southward toward the area Thursday aftn and night. While the deterministic models continue to disagree over exact frontal placement and timing, expect increasing cloud cover at a minimum as the weakening front drops into the area. Would also expect a better chance for showers and storms Thursday afternoon/evening. High temps Thursday will be a few degrees cooler than Wednesday but a bit more humid with temperatures still well into the 90s outside of the immediate coast and Eastern Shore where 80s hang on. Friday looks to cool off considerably, with an increase in clouds, as the front takes on a SE-NW (backdoor) orientation due to high pressure stationed over New England. Given the increased clouds and shower chances, expect highs to top out in the low 80s NE and mid 80s elsewhere. Any shower and storm chances Friday afternoon look to be focused across the western half of the area (along the weakening boundary/sfc trough). Looking ahead to the weekend, the heat ridge continues to slowly weaken to the west, as a second, stronger front approaches Saturday into Sunday. Mainly diurnally-driven convection expected along the pre-frontal trough each day. High temperatures look to remain in the 80s with lows in the 60s to around 70. && .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 150 PM EDT Monday... High pressure was centered across the Carolinas as of 18z. Meanwhile, a trough was approaching from the NW. VFR under a mostly sunny sky with FEW-SCT CU with based of 6-8kft from RIC to SBY. The wind was mainly SSW 5-10kt, and locally NE at ORF. The trough will push across the region later this aftn into tonight. There is a 20-30% chc of showers/tstms at RIC, ~20% chc at SBY, and mainly after 20z. Farther SE, there is a ~20% chc of showers and perhaps a tstm at PHF and ORF this evening into the early overnight hours, with a less than 15% chc at ECG. RIC has the best potential for tstms this aftn/evening, so a tempo group was included from 21z/26 to 01z/27. Any tstms have the potentially to produce locally strong wind gusts. Otherwise, mainly VFR later tonight into Tuesday, although some patchy fog/stratus is possible early Tuesday morning. The wind will be calm to very light overnight, and then become NE Tuesday morning, and E by afternoon, with wind speeds less than 10kt. Mainly dry and VFR Tuesday night into Wednesday. A chc of aftn/early evening showers/tstms returns Thursday into Friday as a slow moving backdoor cold front moves through the area. A chc of aftn/early evening showers/tstms continues into Saturday as another cold front approaches from the NW. && .MARINE... As of 205 AM EDT Monday... Key Messages: - Quiet marine conditions are forecast to persist for much of the week. - A period of low-end SCA conditions is possible late this week behind a cold front (mainly north of Cape Charles). A 5-10 kt S-SW wind prevails across the marine area (w/ lighter winds across the SE VA/NE NC coastal waters) as high pressure remains centered across srn VA and NE NC. Winds become S-SSE and increase to ~15 kt by this evening ahead of an approaching shortwave, before diminishing to ~10 kt and becoming SW early Tue morning. A few gusts to 20 kt cannot be ruled out across the mid-upper bay between 4-10 PM. In addition, isolated to widely scattered tstms are possible late this aftn through the first part of tonight, which could result in a few SMWs/MWSs. Winds then remain SE or S with speeds averaging 5-15 kt from Tue aftn into Wed evening. Seas will average 2-3 ft with waves of 1-2 ft through the middle of the week. A cold front potentially crosses the waters on Thursday, which would allow winds to become E-NE at ~15 kt (highest N) by late Thu/Fri. Seas will likely build to 4-5 ft late this week if there is a long enough period of elevated (even sub-SCA) E-NE winds. Winds diminish and turn back to the south this weekend. There is a low rip current risk at all of the beaches from today-Wed. && .AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. NC...None. VA...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS...MAM/RHR NEAR TERM...AJZ/RHR SHORT TERM...RHR LONG TERM...MAM/RHR AVIATION...AJZ MARINE...ERI
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wakefield VA 404 AM EDT Mon Aug 26 2024 MDZ021>025-VAZ064-075>078-084>086-099-100-517>522-270815- Dorchester-Wicomico-Somerset-Inland Worcester-Maryland Beaches- Caroline-Westmoreland-Richmond-Northumberland-Lancaster-Gloucester- Middlesex-Mathews-Accomack-Northampton-Western King William- Eastern King William-Western King and Queen-Eastern King and Queen- Western Essex-Eastern Essex- 404 AM EDT Mon Aug 26 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, east central Virginia, eastern Virginia, north central Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. Strong straight line winds may accompany the stronger convective cores. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ048-060>062-065>069-079>083-087>090-092- 093-095>098-509>516-523>525-270815- Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck- Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck-Fluvanna-Prince Edward- Cumberland-Goochland-Mecklenburg-Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan- Brunswick-Dinwiddie-Prince George-Charles City-New Kent-Greensville- Sussex-Surry-James City-Southampton-Isle of Wight-Norfolk/Portsmouth- Suffolk-Chesapeake-Virginia Beach-Western Louisa-Eastern Louisa- Western Hanover-Eastern Hanover-Western Chesterfield- Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights)- Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond)-Eastern Henrico- York-Newport News-Hampton/Poquoson- 404 AM EDT Mon Aug 26 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast North Carolina, central Virginia, east central Virginia, south central Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
242 PM EDT Mon Aug 26 2024
VAZ064-075-076-521-261930-
Richmond VA-Westmoreland VA-Western Essex VA-Caroline VA-
242 PM EDT Mon Aug 26 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN RICHMOND...
CAROLINE...WESTMORELAND AND NORTHWESTERN ESSEX COUNTIES THROUGH 330
PM EDT...
At 242 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Golden Beach to Popes Creek to near Stafford.
Movement was south at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Colonial Beach around 300 PM EDT.
Port Royal around 310 PM EDT.
Fort Walker around 315 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Golansville,
Currioman Landing, Hustle, Potomac Beach, Guinea, Corbin, Elevon,
Supply, Mount Holly, and Stratford Hall.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Heavy rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3821 7695 3818 7688 3815 7661 3811 7660
3807 7653 3807 7655 3798 7690 3798 7759
3806 7757 3825 7735 3824 7729 3822 7729
3825 7727 3825 7723 3823 7725 3819 7725
3820 7722 3814 7707 3826 7705 3828 7698
TIME...MOT...LOC 1842Z 349DEG 21KT 3848 7670 3842 7700 3835 7739
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
AMThe Sterling radar (KLWX), 99 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:29 UTC.
3 lightning, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The 911 call center reported numerous trees down between the towns of Bowling Green and Port Royal.
The public reported multiple trees down in Elko, Virginia. This was relayed from social media with pictures showing large trees down.
Broadcast Media reported a lightning strike to a house in the 14300 Block of Charter Landing Drive near Midlothian High School that caused a fire in the attic. No injuries were reported.
Broadcast Media reported a lightning strike to a home in the 1700 Block of Bellows Drive off of Elkhardt Road which caused a house fire. No injuries were reported.
Broadcast Media reported a fire caused by lightning at the Cardinal Elementary School.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, August 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: 1213495, 1213496, 1213492, 1213494, 1213490.