Storms following the Appalachian mountains reorganized later in the afternoon and brought damaging wind gusts to parts of south-central Virginia. Surface heating and mixing resulted in MLCAPE values of 750-1000 J/kg and low level lapse rates of 7-8 C/km.
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.
Storms following the Appalachian mountains reorganized later in the afternoon and brought damaging wind gusts to parts of south-central Virginia. Surface heating and mixing resulted in MLCAPE values of 750-1000 J/kg and low level lapse rates of 7-8 C/km. Mid-level lapse rates were not as impressive which may have limited the coverage of severe storms but DCAPE values of 700-900 J/kg contributed to some downed trees in Charlotte and Halifax Counties.
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 Jun 18, 5:50 AM EST, 3 hours 40 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 650 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Increased Pops this morning in WV as line moves closer out central WV. Increased winds as well. Aviation updated. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Severe storms possible this afternoon/evening. Breezy ahead of the front as well with increase fire danger for the NC piedmont. 2) Dry weekend followed by more chances for showers/storms early next week. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1: Severe storms possible this afternoon and evening. Breezy ahead of the front as well with increase fire danger for the piedmont. Line of showers/storms moving across WV has its eyes set on southeast WV between 7-9am. A few stronger wind gust potentially severe may reach Greenbrier County and the rest of southeast WV in that time frame, then model show weakening trend as best energy/instability stay just west of us. Some lull in activity later this morning before more showers and storms develop midday into the afternoon. Decent mid-level westerly winds will exist this afternoon across our area. to Mid Atlantic. Convection may very well start pushing into our WV area after 8am. We have convective cirrus blowoff from upstream storms this morning, but models do showing clearing after late morning, so ample sunshine to heat the low levels and increase lapse rates. Tornado risk today is low but non-zero. As heating occurs during the day, boundary layer mixing as well as veering and weakening winds at 850 mb may reduce tornado risk. However, ample deep- layer shear and nearly unidirectional wind profiles will favor both cells and fast- moving clusters of storms producing damaging gusts and locally severe hail throughout the day. The surface front arrives this afternoon in the mountains sliding southeast of our CWA early Friday. Storms are expected to diminish somewhat by late Thursday evening, but showers may linger into Friday morning especially in NC. The remnants of Arthur will also push moisture our way, and higher PWATs may lead to localized flooding concerns. This may be a case if we get some training cells. Main flooding threat will be over the mountains of WV/far SW VA into NC. c Gradient, non-thunderstorms winds will also be pretty strong for June, acting more like Spring. 85H winds are forecast between 30-40kts which, if mixed to the surface, will result in windy conditions with surface gusts of 30-35 mph. Though sub- advisory winds, these speeds could still topple outdoor furniture, like deck umbrellas, and chairs. The breezy conditions will also couple with what is expected to be a very warm day (assuming clouds do not mute the numbers)...highs into the lower to mid 90s east of the mountains and the ongoing extreme drought, creating higher fire danger and the need to refrain from any open air burning. In summary, a call to action... 1. Secure patio furniture and lower canopies and umbrellas 2. Prep for possible power outages 3. No open air burning 4. Have a way to receive warnings 5. Watch the sky and take shelter if a storm approaches or a warning is issued. KEY MESSAGE 2: Dry weekend but more storm chances early next week. High pressure follows the front Saturday into Sunday. Models agree on a broad trough over the Great Lakes into the mid-MS Valley heading into Monday swinging through the mountains early next week. This feature with the front and good moisture advection should provide another opportunity for showers and storms, but like previous systems, fronts that come from the northwest favor the mountains (esp western slopes) for rainfall and to a much lesser extent east of the mountains. && .AVIATION /12Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Storms may impact LWB/BLF this morning in the 12-15z time frame, possibly reaching BCB. Winds from the west with these storms could gust over 40kts. Then a lull in activity before more showers/storms form around 15-18z. Kept the forecast mainly VFR outside of storms and tried to time some of the storms at BLF/LWB this afternoon with VCTS elsewhere. Outside of storms, gradient winds will be gusting 20-30kts. Once the front moves across, and moisture increases ahead of the remnants of Arthur expect cigs sinking to MVFR to IFR at most sites tonight with showers. Any thunder should start to diminish by late evening. Wind will also weaken later tonight. Could see some IFR fog at BLF/LWB as well late. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... Sub-VFR to last through Friday morning with showers exiting to the east and south. Then VFR conditions will be the norm for the remainder of the weekend. Isolated to scattered showers/storms may return to the mountains Sunday afternoon, with increasing chances into Monday with sub-VFR potential. Other sub-VFR possibilities may be some late night/early morning mountain valley/river fog during the weekend. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && DISCUSSION...PM/SH/WP AVIATION...DS/SH/WP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 710 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 NCZ004>006-020-191115- Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Yadkin- 710 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina and northwest North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and evening, with primarily damaging wind gusts or marginal hail the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. NCZ001>003-018-019-191115- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes- 710 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina and northwest North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and evening, with primarily damaging wind gusts or marginal hail the main threats. Localized flooding is also possible, especially in the mountains and urban areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. VAZ024-035-044>047-058-059-191115- Rockbridge-Amherst-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham- Halifax-Charlotte- 710 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 350 IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, south central Virginia and west central 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. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are requested to report hail of any size, as well as any damage caused by thunderstorm winds in their area. VAZ007-009>020-022-023-032>034-043-WVZ042>044-507-508-191115- Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll- Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Patrick-Franklin- Bedford-Henry-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 710 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 350 IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West 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. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are requested to report hail of any size, as well as any damage caused by thunderstorm winds in their area.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
930 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0917 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SW Sandlick 37.33N 81.23W
06/18/2026 Mercer WV 911 Call Center
Tree down blocking one lane of traffic near
the intersection of New Hope and Surface
Hill Road.
&&
WHPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
931 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
VAZ007-010-WVZ042-181345-
Tazewell VA-Bland VA-Mercer WV-
931 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT TAZEWELL...NORTHERN BLAND AND
SOUTHWESTERN MERCER COUNTIES THROUGH 945 AM EDT...
At 931 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Glen Burke to near Rocky Gap. Movement was
southeast at 40 mph.
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...
Bluefield...
Richlands...
Tazewell...
Cedar Bluff...
Rocky Gap...
Bastian...
and Mechanicsburg.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until noon EDT for
southwestern Virginia...and southeastern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3716 8187 3717 8187 3720 8176 3724 8174
3724 8172 3720 8168 3721 8156 3724 8151
3725 8150 3725 8148 3728 8141 3731 8111
3715 8089 3707 8184 3711 8189 3714 8190
TIME...MOT...LOC 1331Z 305DEG 35KT 3718 8193 3724 8115
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DSPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
950 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0808 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NW Sandstone 37.77N 80.89W
06/18/2026 Summers WV 911 Call Center
Tree down blocking River Road.
&&
WHPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
954 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
VAZ023-034-181415-
Botetourt VA-Bedford VA-
954 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL BEDFORD AND EAST CENTRAL
BOTETOURT COUNTIES THROUGH 1015 AM EDT...
At 953 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Sedalia to near Montvale. Movement was
east at 60 mph.
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...
Bedford...
Montvale...
Big Island...
Stewartsville...
Coleman Falls...
Peaks Of Otter Summit...
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until noon EDT for
central, south central, southwestern and west central Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3753 7935 3751 7934 3751 7931 3750 7930
3723 7959 3728 7985 3729 7985 3755 7957
3755 7952 3753 7950 3755 7948 3755 7937
TIME...MOT...LOC 1353Z 269DEG 52KT 3752 7950 3734 7971
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1010 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
VAZ007-010-181430-
Tazewell VA-Bland VA-
1010 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN TAZEWELL AND
SOUTHWESTERN BLAND COUNTIES THROUGH 1030 AM EDT...
At 1009 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Gratton, or near Tazewell, moving east at 45 mph.
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...
Bluefield...
Tazewell...
Ceres...
Burkes Garden...
Clear Fork...
Gratton...
and Tiptop.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until noon EDT for
southwestern Virginia...and southeastern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3722 8148 3722 8120 3710 8118 3706 8122
3705 8122 3702 8128 3702 8129 3699 8133
3704 8155
TIME...MOT...LOC 1409Z 272DEG 39KT 3712 8144
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1025 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
VAZ033-034-044-181500-
Franklin VA-Bedford VA-Pittsylvania VA-
1025 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHWESTERN PITTSYLVANIA...SOUTHWESTERN BEDFORD AND NORTHEASTERN
FRANKLIN COUNTIES THROUGH 1100 AM EDT...
At 1024 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Westlake Corner, or 8 miles southwest of Moneta, moving east at 40
mph.
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...
Moneta...
Penhook...
Huddleston...
Burnt Chimney...
Northwest Smith Mountain Lake...
Westlake Corner...
and Southern Smith Mountain Lake.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until noon EDT for
central, south central, southwestern and west central Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3691 7951 3707 7995 3721 7977 3715 7938
3706 7944 3706 7940 3709 7940 3709 7939
3711 7937 3712 7938 3712 7935 3714 7934
3712 7932
TIME...MOT...LOC 1424Z 287DEG 34KT 3711 7975
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DSThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 79 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 14:30 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was reported down on Enterprise Lane at its intersection with N Scenic Highway.
A tree was reported down on Greens Folly Road between Avondale Dr and Fan Park Drive.
A tree was reported down on James D Hagood Highway near its intersection with Bethel/Scottsburg Road.
A few large tree branches were reported down as well as roofing metal torn off a building and on Mt Laurel Road in the Community of Clover.
A tree was reported down on Clover Road near the Charlotte County border.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, June 2026
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: 1349440, 1349442, 1349443, 1349445, 1349444.