A nearly stationary front that extended south from West Virginia into Western Virginia and North Carolina Piedmont served as the focus for thunderstorm development during the afternoon of September 25. Some clearing allowed for an increase in instability, but not quite enough to support widespread severe thunderstorms.
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 RNK wrote it up.
A nearly stationary front that extended south from West Virginia into Western Virginia and North Carolina Piedmont served as the focus for thunderstorm development during the afternoon of September 25. Some clearing allowed for an increase in instability, but not quite enough to support widespread severe thunderstorms. Favorable upper level divergence was also present over the area as an upper low closed off over the Middle Mississippi Valley, and allowed for scattered storms to strengthen and cause isolated instances of wind damage. Southeasterly windflow around high pressure off the Atlantic coast brought deep moisture to the central Appalachians, which supported heavy rain within the thunderstorms. Some storms produced rainfall rates of three to four inches per hour, and passed repeatedly over the same locations.
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 21, 9:26 PM EST, 4 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 1026 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Ongoing showers and thunderstorms across the Piedmont this evening has lead to increased PoPs. There is a signal that some isolated to scattered showers may develop along the NC/VA border on the NC side in Rockingham and Caswell counties over the next couple of hours; therefore, PoPs have been increased in these areas as well. Temperatures were also adjusted as convection this evening has caused some cooler pockets across the Piedmont than what was previously forecast. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 140 PM EDT Saturday... Key Messages: 1) A few strong to severe storms possible over S. Shenandoah Valley, parts of the central/northern Blue Ridge, and the VA/NC piedmont this afternoon and evening. Main concerns are localized damaging winds and urban flooding. 2) Other areas may see showers/storms but likely not anything strong. Heavy rain/isolated flooding still possible. 3) Fog and stratus possible overnight; stratus may linger over the east through noon tomorrow under high pressure wedge. The region remains in between broad upper level troughing over the NE states and ridging centered over TX. At the surface, a frontal system was approaching from the west. Farther north over the eastern Great Lakes, the system was in the process of occluding. IR imagery shows plenty of dry air aloft, with weak mid level capping in place. This capping will continue to erode, especially over the southern Shenandoah Valley and piedmont areas by this afternoon. PW values were around 1.2" this morning at KRNK, and will increase to about 1.4" or so through this afternoon in the Shenandoah Valley, parts of the central/northern Blue Ridge, and the piedmont ahead of the frontal system. Southerly winds will increase convergence along the terrain, so convection will also form along the Blue Ridge before drifting south. An upper level left front jet streak and passing short wave energy will also help support convection areawide. Instability and shear amounts will be low to moderate over our area, but better to the NE and E. We should still have enough ingredients to support a few strong to isolated severe storms, again mainly over the S. Shenandoah Valley, parts of the central/northern Blue Ridge and the piedmont. Most of the activity will be multicell clusters/lines and should be sub-severe, but may still contain heavy rain. These main ideas are supported by SPC's Day 1 Outlook, SREF ensembles, machine learning and CAMs. The main concerns for the above mentioned areas will be isolated damaging downdraft winds, as well as moderate to heavy rain leading to isolated urban, small stream, and possibly flash flooding. Overnight we will be in the warm sector briefly before a backdoor front moves through, allowing PW values to drop to 0.7 inches or less over the mountains by morning. This will support moderate radiational cooling where skies clear, leading to temperatures in the 50s to low 60s. Stratus will develop/move over the foothills and also the eastern piedmont in association with the passage of the backdoor front. Models are indicating this stratus will hang around our eastern counties for much of the day. Where skies clear overnight, and especially where it rains, expect localized dense fog. For Sunday, the upper level energy will be lacking for much of the area, but there will be a stripe of PVA crossing over the piedmont. At the surface, much drier air and high pressure wedging in from the NE will likely smother most convection that tries to form, but a stray shower will be possible later in the day. Otherwise, expect mostly to partly sunny skies (outside of where the stratus lingers) with highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s. Confidence in the near term is moderate. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... As of 200 PM EDT Saturday... Key Messages: 1: Monday should see the return of showers and storms, and continuing into Tuesday After a dry Sunday under some ridging and northeasterly flow, an approaching front out of the plains will turn our flow back to the south/southwest. With a stationary/warm front in the vicinity, showers are likely to form on Monday afternoon, with the highest probability in the mountains west of the Blue Ridge. Some of these showers could produce lightning, but there is a low probability that these storms will grow in strength such that they grow in strength to become severe and potentially cause wind damage. Tuesday the cold front will continue its march to the east, while the warm front slowly lifts north in response to the approaching attendant low associated with the cold front. Tuesday will see even higher chances of showers and storms, with even more widespread coverage in the entirety of the CWA. Temperatures will nudge a bit cooler in this timeframe due to the increased cloud cover and rain showers. Highs will remain in the mid to low 70s, and overnight dip into the low 60s/upper 50s. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Saturday... Key Messages: 1) High uncertainty remains in the long term period. 2) Chance of rain lingers through much of the week. Quite a bit of variance among guidance this morning for the period beyond Wednesday. This does not lead to much confidence in the long term forecast, however ensemble guidance continues to paint a rather stagnant pattern featuring daily chance of rain and perhaps thunderstorms through mid to late week. With rain potential and cloud cover, temperatures remain slightly on the cooler side, generally in the 70s during the day and 50s/60s overnight. && .AVIATION /03Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 7:00 PM EDT Saturday... Showers and thunderstorms are affecting the Southern Shenandoah Valley, parts of the Blue Ridge, and the Piedmont this evening, and will likely continue for the next 4-6 hours before instability from diurnal heating dissipates for the day. Storms have been capable of producing large hail and strong winds from downpours limiting visibility locally to less than 1SM. Outside of convection, VFR conditions are expected into the late evening hours before patchy to areas of fog will likely redevelop. For LYH and DAN, low stratus with some reduced visibilities look more likely and will linger into Sunday morning. VFR conditions look to linger through the remainder of the day on Sunday before MVFR to IFR stratus and fog develop after the TAF period once again Sunday night. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected again Sunday afternoon/evening; however, coverage is not expected to be enough to include in the TAFs at this time. Otherwise, VFR during the day then areas of MVFR/IFR fog and stratus at night. Daily chance of showers, thunderstorms, and lingering sub-VFR conditions continue Monday through at least midweek as a slow- moving cold front approaches from the west. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...EB NEAR TERM...SH SHORT TERM...VFJ LONG TERM...BMG AVIATION...EB/NF/SH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 1005 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024 VAZ018>020-022>024-033>035-044>047-058-059-WVZ507-230215- Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Franklin- Bedford-Amherst-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax- Charlotte-Eastern Greenbrier- 1005 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is a Marginal Risk for Severe Thunderstorms through tonight. A few storms may continue to be capable of producing damaging winds, large hail over the next hour or so; however, the threat should diminish in the next 1-2 hours. Heavy downpours may also result in minor flooding issues. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009>017-032-043-WVZ042>044-508-230215- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson- Carroll-Floyd-Patrick-Henry-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Western Greenbrier- 1005 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
918 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024
VAZ034-045-220215-
Campbell VA-Bedford VA-
918 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT
CENTRAL CAMPBELL...AND NORTHEASTERN BEDFORD COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF
LYNCHBURG THROUGH 1015 PM EDT...
At 918 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Sedalia to near Spring Mills. Movement was
south at 10 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...
Lynchburg...
Forest...
Evington...
Rustburg...
Goode...
Gladys...
and Sedalia.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3708 7907 3724 7942 3754 7950 3754 7949
3735 7901
TIME...MOT...LOC 0118Z 338DEG 10KT 3746 7939 3728 7893
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
PHPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
935 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0714 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Rustburg 37.28N 79.10W
09/21/2024 Campbell VA 911 Call Center
Tree down across the entire roadway on Gold
Dust Trail and Village Highway in Rustburg
Virginia.
&&
EBPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
942 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0815 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SSE Hat Creek 37.09N 78.90W
09/21/2024 Campbell VA 911 Call Center
Tree down at the intersection of Sugar hill
and Ball Park roads in Brookneal Virginia.
&&
EBPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
950 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0925 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 E Lynchburg Airport 37.33N 79.15W
09/21/2024 Campbell VA 911 Call Center
Tree down blocking most of the roadway at
the intersection of Candler mountain road
and Sunnymeade road in Rustburg Virginia.
&&
EBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
955 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024
VAZ034-044>046-058-059-220230-
Halifax VA-Campbell VA-Bedford VA-Pittsylvania VA-Charlotte VA-
Appomattox VA-
955 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT
SOUTHWESTERN APPOMATTOX...NORTHWESTERN CHARLOTTE...CAMPBELL...
NORTHEASTERN PITTSYLVANIA...NORTH CENTRAL HALIFAX...AND EAST CENTRAL
BEDFORD COUNTIES AND THE SOUTHWESTERN CITY OF LYNCHBURG THROUGH 1030
PM EDT...
At 954 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Evington to near Aspen. Movement was south
at 30 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...
Altavista...
Hurt...
Brookneal...
Phenix...
Red House...
Rustburg...
and Evington.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3704 7937 3693 7866 3724 7873 3739 7941
TIME...MOT...LOC 0154Z 346DEG 26KT 3720 7931 3701 7882
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
PHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1006 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024
VAZ058-059-220245-
Halifax VA-Charlotte VA-
1006 PM EDT Sat Sep 21 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT
SOUTHWESTERN CHARLOTTE AND CENTRAL HALIFAX COUNTIES THROUGH 1045 PM
EDT...
At 1006 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Saxe to Nathalie. Movement was south at 20
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.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3681 7856 3664 7894 3691 7898 3701 7872
TIME...MOT...LOC 0206Z 341DEG 19KT 3697 7876 3692 7894
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
PHThe Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 124 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:31 UTC.
4 flood, 3 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Several inches of standing water due to runoff from a passing thunderstorm was observed along the 1000 block of Green Level Road. This a location that frequently floods during heavy rain.
Numerous trees were downed by thunderstorm winds on a private property on Sturgills Road near Route 58.
Thunderstorm winds downed a couple power lines near Idlewild Boulevard.
A tree was downed by thunderstorm winds and landed across Redfields Road.
Heavy rainfall, combined with poor drainage, caused standing water around 2.5 feet deep to pool along Kessler Mill Road. No damage was reported to the road, which was open to traffic after the water receded.
Runoff from rainfall caused ponding of water several inches deep on the Link Road bridge over Ivy Creek. No damage to the bridge was reported.
Between 1.75 and 2.5 inches of rain fell from a thunderstorm, with rainfall rates estimated to be between 3 and 4 inches per hour. Railroad Avenue was flooded and impassible due to several inches of water flowing over the roadway. The Bedford Fire Department responded to calls for three homes and an apartment building that were partially flooded, with those residents forced to evacuate.
Runoff from heavy rainfall found its way into the basement of a home, causing the basement to be flooded by several feet of water. The runoff was caused by 1.5 to 2 inches of rainfall in a 90 minute period occurring at rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour.
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, September 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: 1219083, 1211178, 1211175, 1211176, 1219077, 1219081, 1218921, 1218922.