Multiple widely scattered thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and evening of the May 27th across central and southwest Virginia as a strong upper level disturbance passed across the lower Mid-Atlantic along a stationary front draped across the region. The storms developed in a moderately unstable environment, with surface temperatures observed in the low to mid 80s during the afternoon,…
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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.
Multiple widely scattered thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and evening of the May 27th across central and southwest Virginia as a strong upper level disturbance passed across the lower Mid-Atlantic along a stationary front draped across the region. The storms developed in a moderately unstable environment, with surface temperatures observed in the low to mid 80s during the afternoon, while dewpoints were observed in the upper 60s to low 70s. This helped to drive MLCAPE values into the 1,500 to 2,000 J/kg range, with relatively steep low-level lapse rates. Area wind profilers also indicated westerly winds above in the low levels of the atmosphere, with 30-35 kt of deep-layer shear supporting damaging wind gusts in the stronger thunderstorm activity.
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 27, 12:54 PM EST, 3 hours 39 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 154 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Severe thunderstorm watch #247 in effect until 9PM for WV/VA primarily east of I-77, all the way to the coast. && .KEY MESSAGES... KEY MESSAGE 1: Severe storms possible this afternoon and evening with damaging wind gusts being the primary threat. KEY MESSAGE 2: There is a flash flood risk today. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1: Severe storms possible this afternoon and evening with damaging wind gusts being the primary threat. Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible across the forecast area with the main threat between 2PM-9PM. Strong to severe gusts capable of producing wind damage should be the primary hazard, but isolated hail may also occur. 30-40 kt of mid-level westerly flow will promote relatively fast moving storm cells this afternoon and evening. Upper short wave trough over the Ohio Valley along with east-west oriented front across the northern Mid-Atlantic will serve as a focus for organized storm development. In addition, expecting isolated to scattered storms to develop along the Blue Ridge... all activity moving east as we progress through the late afternoon and evening. Moderate instability (MLCAPE 1500 J/kg) is being forecast across the northern part of our CWA coupled with 30-40 kt of westerly deep-layer shear. This should support a mix of multicells and marginal supercell structures is anticipated along/south of the front, with scattered damaging winds the main severe risk. Some hail could also occur with the strongest cores. KEY MESSAGE 2: There is a flash flood risk today. Rain has been plentiful the last seven days. With precipitable water (PWAT) values AOA 1.50 any deep convection will be rain efficient promoting rain rates of 2-4". Organized storms will have the best chance to produce excessive rainfall, so be on the lookout for localized flash flooding. Given the relatively fast storm cell movement, expecting somewhat lower residence time of the heavy rain cores, so unless we have training cells, rainfall totals should generally be held under an inch. That said, high rain rates can still quickly translate into rapid runoff and localized flooding. && .AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Thunderstorms are already beginning to form in southwest Virginia, but as the afternoon continues, they will become more organized and widespread. All TAF sites have the potential to experience a strong thunderstorm today. Thunderstorms will quiet down and taper off sometime before midnight for most of the area. Strong wind gusts can occur with little notice in the vicinity of thunderstorms. Additionally, some of these showers and storms could have high rain rates, temporarily reducing vsby from the relatively clear conditions we are seeing right now. Cigs will lower in the presence of any showers or storms, potentially dropping conditions into MVFR/IFR. Once the precipitation clears up tonight, cigs will lift again, leaving most of the area VFR or high end MVFR through Thursday morning. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK... By Thursday, the stalled front pushes south of the area, with high pressure from the north moving in. While shower/storms may still be possible, they will be isolated and primarily limited to our southern locations, such as DAN. This will allow for mostly VFR flight conditions to return to the remainder of the terminals. VFR will be expected to continue, though fog remains possible during the overnight hours. && .RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VA...None. NC...None. WV...None. && DISCUSSION...PM AVIATION...RCS/VFJ
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 203 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026 VAZ011-013-014-017>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-WVZ042>044- 507-281815- Giles-Pulaski-Montgomery-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke- Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry- Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte-Mercer- Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- 203 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 247 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central 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. A Slight Risk of severe weather will be possible this afternoon and evening. Afternoon storms will be capable of producing isolated damaging wind gusts. A Marginal Risk of Excessive Rainfall is also forecast for today as repeated rounds of rain, some heavy at times, will continue due to an approaching cold front. After recent heavy rains, the flash flooding risk is more of a concern, especially where showers/storms train over the same areas. Storms will have the capability of producing rainfall rates of 3-4" per hour. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. 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. WVZ508-281815- Western Greenbrier- 203 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 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. A Slight Risk of Excessive Rainfall is forecast for today as repeated rounds of rain, some heavy at times, will continue due to an approaching cold front. After recent heavy rains, the flash flooding risk is more of a concern, especially where showers/storms train over the same areas. Storms will have the capability of producing rainfall rates of 3-4" per hour. A Slight Risk of severe weather will be possible this afternoon and evening. Afternoon storms will be capable of producing isolated damaging wind gusts. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. 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. NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009-010-012-015-016-281815- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Wythe-Grayson-Carroll- 203 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A Marginal Risk of severe weather will be possible this afternoon and evening. Afternoon storms will be capable of producing isolated damaging wind gusts. A Marginal Risk of Excessive Rainfall is also forecast for today as repeated rounds of rain, some heavy at times, will continue due to an approaching cold front. After recent heavy rains, the flash flooding risk is more of a concern, especially where showers/storms train over the same areas. Storms will have the capability of producing rainfall rates of 3-4" per hour. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. 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
501 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0344 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WNW Eden 36.51N 79.76W
05/27/2026 Rockingham NC 911 Call Center
Tree down near the intersection of Park Road
and Tolbert Street.
&&
asPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
502 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0356 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WNW Mayfield 36.53N 79.60W
05/27/2026 Rockingham NC 911 Call Center
Tree down on Perkinson Road near the NC/VA
state line.
&&
asSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
504 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
VAZ032-043-272130-
Henry VA-Patrick VA-
504 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
SOUTHWESTERN HENRY AND SOUTHEASTERN PATRICK COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM
EDT...
At 504 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Stuart, 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.
Locations impacted include...
Stuart...
Spencer...
Patrick Springs...
Penns Store...
Critz...
and Horse Pasture.
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 900 PM EDT for
south central, southwestern and west central Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3656 8032 3669 8027 3666 8000 3657 7998
3654 8004 3654 8016
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 279DEG 23KT 3662 8024
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
510 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
WVZ043-507-508-272130-
Western Greenbrier WV-Summers WV-Eastern Greenbrier WV-
510 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
SOUTHWESTERN GREENBRIER AND NORTHEASTERN SUMMERS COUNTIES THROUGH 530
PM EDT...
At 510 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Elton, or near Sandstone, moving east at 35 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.
Locations impacted include...
Alderson...
Sandstone...
Lawn...
Elton...
and Glenray.
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 900 PM EDT for
southwestern and west central Virginia...and southeastern West
Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3787 8061 3775 8057 3772 8064 3773 8066
3771 8066 3770 8070 3777 8088 3786 8084
3787 8081
TIME...MOT...LOC 2110Z 279DEG 31KT 3780 8079
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
515 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
VAZ013-014-017-272130-
Pulaski VA-Floyd VA-Montgomery VA-
515 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
EAST CENTRAL PULASKI...NORTHWESTERN FLOYD AND SOUTHWESTERN MONTGOMERY
COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF RADFORD THROUGH 530 PM EDT...
At 515 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Childress, or near Radford, moving east at 35 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.
Locations impacted include...
Christiansburg...
Radford...
Pilot...
Claytor Dam...
Graysontown...
Childress...
and Claytor Lake State Park.
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.
If on or near Claytor 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 900 PM EDT for
south central, southwestern and west central Virginia...and
southeastern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3704 8063 3713 8060 3715 8029 3704 8028
3696 8036
TIME...MOT...LOC 2115Z 279DEG 31KT 3708 8049
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
532 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
VAZ047-272215-
Buckingham VA-
532 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHERN BUCKINGHAM COUNTY THROUGH 615 PM EDT...
At 532 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Centenary, or 15 miles west of Fork Union, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel 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...
New Canton...
Gold Hill...
and Centenary.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
central Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3763 7825 3752 7834 3765 7872 3766 7872
3768 7869 3770 7869 3768 7866 3768 7864
3772 7865 3775 7862 3776 7855 3776 7851
3777 7850 3780 7849 3776 7847 3769 7824
TIME...MOT...LOC 2132Z 280DEG 28KT 3778 7854
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
EBThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 83 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:32 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds onto Highland Trail blocking one lane of the roadway.
One large tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds onto a vehicle along Mike Stuart Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in West Virginia in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in West 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: 1331989, 1331991.