Scattered severe storms moved across central and eastern Virginia during the afternoon and evening of May 27. These storms produced damaging winds and isolated hail.
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 severe storms moved across central and eastern Virginia during the afternoon and evening of May 27. These storms produced damaging winds and isolated hail.
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 May 27, 12:31 PM EST, 14 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Wakefield VA 131 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... SVR Tstm Watch in effect until 9 PM for all VA-MD zones. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) SVR Tstm Watch in effect until 9 PM for VA-MD zones. Marginal SVR risk elsewhere. In addition, locally heavy rainfall will be possible area-wide. 2) Drier weather returns to end the week and likely continues this weekend into early next week. && .DISCUSSION... As of 125 PM EDT Wednesday... KEY MESSAGE 1...SVR Tstm Watch in effect until 9 PM for VA-MD zones. Marginal SVR risk elsewhere. In addition, locally heavy rainfall will be possible area-wide. Storms have developed across northern VA in advance of a stationary front that will begin to drop S as a cold front late today. The main threat will be from damaging wind gusts. Thus far, the threat for hail is limited as mid level lapse rates are quite weak, however, models do show some potential for these rates to become a bit steeper by late aftn. The Watch extends through 9PM and goes all the way to the VA-NC border. While southern portions will probably not have much SVR potential until late aftn, satellite imagery shows some breaks in the clouds moving in from the W that will likely enhance low level lapse rates by late aftn. Sfc-bsed and ML CAPE values are already decent, but thus far DCAPE values are quite limited- again this may change as we get to later in the aftn/early evening. The compressed H7-H5 heights will allow for moderately strong W winds aloft, increasing 0-6km bulk shear to 30- 40kt. Instability should be ample, with 1500-2000 J/kg of MLCAPE, which could lead to more organized storm clusters/line segments. Additionally, heavy rain will remain a threat as PW values remain 1.75"-2.00". High temperatures today range from the lower to mid 80s N, to the upper 80s/near 90F SE. The general timing for the greatest SVR threat will be 3pm-10pm. KEY MESSAGE 2...Drier weather returns to end the week and likely continues this weekend into early next week. The cold front arrives from the north later tonight, and gradually pushes south of the area early Thursday as a trough digs out of Eastern Canada into the Northeast CONUS. High chc to likely PoPs linger into this evening (highest E/SE) in advance of the front, but after that an influx of drier air should shut off precip chances into Thursday. Undercut NBM PoPs a bit on Thursday, primarily for interior NE NC, but still maintaining chc PoPs in this area. Some CAMs develop some isolated convection over the Piedmont during the aftn, so NBM 20% PoPs were maintained. Elsewhere, PoPs are less than 15%. Otherwise, partly to mostly sunny and less humid but due to a well mixed BL, forecast high temperatures remain in the low-mid 80s Thursday. Friday will be mild and dry as high pressure settles from the Great Lakes to the local area with highs in the upper 70s to around 80 F inland, and in the mid 70s for coastal areas, after a pleasant morning with lows in the mid 50s to lower 60s. By this weekend, another trough digs out of Canada and pushes another cold front south across the Mid-Atlantic. However, the latest trends are for a stronger northern stream, which suppresses the moisture S. 27/00z EPS/GEFS each depict PW values remaining below normal through the weekend, and even into early next week. For now, NBM PoPs are 20% or less Saturday (mostly likely dry for most locations), with PoPs less than 15% Sunday. NBM PoPs are ~20% Monday/Tuesday, which is near climo. Temperatures will be near to a little below normal overall from Saturday through Tuesday, with highs in the 70s to lower 80s and lows mainly in the 50s, with some upper 40s possible over the Piedmont Sunday morning. Overall, quite pleasant for the end of May into the beginning of June. && .AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 655 AM EDT Wednesday... A stationary front lingered from central VA to SE MD as of 12z. Conditions were IFR/LIFR in vicinity of the boundary including RIC and SBY, along with some areas of light rain and mist with reduced vsby. Farther S, mainly VFR and MVFR with a 5-10kt SW wind. Conditions are expected to gradually improve later this morning with MVFR cigs lifting from RIC to SBY from 14-16z. A WSW wind of 8-12kt develops by this aftn well in advance of a cold front. Showers/tstms are expected to arrive later this aftn into this evening. Any showers/tstms have the potential to produce IFR vsby in heavy rain along with strong wind gusts. The cold front pushes across the region later tonight into early Thursday. Outlook: Drier air, N winds, and VFR conditions are expected Thursday through Friday. Another cold front arrives by Saturday, but most guidance depicts this as a dry frontal passage with increased northerly winds and VFR conditions. High pressure and VFR conditions prevail by Sunday. && .MARINE... As of 335 AM EDT Wednesday... Key Messages: - Thunderstorms could bring strong wind gusts and locally higher waves late this afternoon and evening. - Winds become northerly behind a front Thursday, followed by light flow Friday. Elevated onshore flow and higher seas possible this weekend. Observations show a light S wind this morning, which will become SW over the next few hours into the daylight hours today. While mainly benign conditions are expected, there is a threat for strong-severe thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening today which could bring significantly higher wind gusts (40+ kt) and locally higher waves. The associated front will drop southward through the waters late tonight/early Thursday morning with a wind shift to the N expected. Although prevailing sub-SCA winds are forecast, a brief northerly wind surge with a few gusts to 20 kt is possible around and just after sunrise. A ~10 kt N wind continues through most of Thursday. High pressure brings a period of light flow and afternoon sea breezes Friday. By the weekend, a complex set of lows offshore and a cold front will likely bring a period of onshore flow. Winds don't look particularly impressive, but could near SCA criteria Saturday night and early Sunday. Seas remain in the 2-3 ft range through at least Friday night. Similarly, waves in the Chesapeake Bay will only be in the 1-2 ft range. Building seas are possible later Saturday into Sunday; this is ultimately dependent on the magnitude of onshore flow and strength of the lows offshore. && .AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. NC...None. VA...None. MARINE...None. && DISCUSSION...AJZ/LKB AVIATION...AJZ/LKB MARINE...SW
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wakefield VA 114 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026 NCZ012>017-030>032-102-281715- Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck- Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck- 114 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a marginal severe risk (level 1 out of 5) this afternoon and evening, with the main threat being from damaging wind gusts. Additionally, showers and thunderstorms will be capable of producing heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. MDZ021>025-VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>090-092-097>100-509>525- 528>531-281715- Dorchester-Wicomico-Somerset-Inland Worcester-Maryland Beaches- Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland-Caroline-Mecklenburg- Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Westmoreland-Richmond- Northumberland-Lancaster-Brunswick-Dinwiddie- Prince George (including Hopewell and Petersburg)-Charles City- New Kent-Gloucester-Middlesex-Mathews-Greensville-Sussex-Surry- James City-Southampton-Chesapeake-Virginia Beach-Accomack- Northampton-Western Louisa-Eastern Louisa-Western Hanover- Eastern Hanover-Western Chesterfield- Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights)- Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond)-Eastern Henrico- Western King William-Eastern King William-Western King and Queen- Eastern King and Queen-Western Essex-Eastern Essex-York-Newport News- Hampton/Poquoson-Isle of Wight-Suffolk-Norfolk-Portsmouth- 114 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 247 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, central Virginia, east central Virginia, eastern Virginia, north central Virginia, south central Virginia and southeast 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...Thursday through Tuesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
142 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
VAZ509-510-271830-
Western Louisa VA-Eastern Louisa VA-
142 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT LOUISA COUNTY THROUGH 230 PM
EDT...
At 142 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles north of Louisa to 9 miles northwest of
Boswells Tavern. Movement was southeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small trees and blow around
unsecured objects. Wind impacting handling of high profile
vehicles.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Boswells Tavern around 145 PM EDT.
Louisa around 155 PM EDT.
Mineral around 200 PM EDT.
Bumpass around 220 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Pendleton, Louisa
Airport, Green Springs, Cuckoo, Yanceyville, Fredericks Hall,
Waldrop, Byrd Mill, Trevilians, and Wares Crossroads.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
central Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3813 7821 3814 7812 3815 7809 3813 7805
3814 7801 3812 7798 3812 7792 3810 7786
3810 7784 3807 7778 3806 7778 3805 7775
3802 7775 3803 7773 3801 7772 3801 7769
3798 7770 3787 7790 3802 7829
TIME...MOT...LOC 1742Z 292DEG 28KT 3813 7795 3814 7833
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
NBThe Sterling radar (KLWX), 109 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:45 UTC.
20 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree fell down onto Newland Road.
Multiple trees down along Tidewater Trail near Occupacia Road and Hunters Hill Road.
A tree fell down along Newland Road.
A tree fell down onto Menokin Road in Richmond County.
A tree fell down onto Kellys Lane in Richmond County.
A tree fell down onto Mulberry Road in Richmond County.
A tree fell down onto Kings Mill Road in Westmoreland County.
Multiple trees fell down onto Ridge Road at Deer Gap.
Trees and power lines fell down at the intersection of Dodlyt Road and Northumberland Highway.
A tree fell down onto a vehicle on Dupont Memorial Highway in Heathsville. Two injuries were reported.
Large tree branches were reported across Jessie Dupont Memorial Highway.
A tree fell onto a house off of Whays Creek Road in Northumberland County.
A tree fell down onto Hoecake Road in Lancaster County.
Two trees fell down in the Lake Monticello area.
There were multiple reports of trees down in the West End area of Henrico County.
A tree fell down onto Crestwood Road in Richmond.
A tree fell down along Cork Road in the vicinity of Darlington Heights Road.
Quarter sized hail was reported at the intersection of US-360 and Cheatham Road in Prince Edward County.
A tree fell down onto US-360 near Virso Rd in Prince Edward County. Time estimated from radar.
Wires were down on US-360 just south of Burkeville.
A tree fell along Raccoon Crossing Road in the vicinity of Cary Shop Road.
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, May 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: 1342506, 1342507, 1342508, 1342509, 1342510, 1342511, 1342513, 1342514, 1342515, 1342517, 1342519, 1342521, 1342520, 1342522, 1342523, 1342524, 1342528, 1342505, 1342525, 1342526, 1342527.