Tornadoes · United States · Virginia · 2004

F0 tornado, Massaponax, Virginia, September 17, 2004

Name: F0 tornado, Massaponax, Virginia, September 17, 2004
Start: 2004-09-17T20:29:00.000Z
Location: Massaponax, Virginia

This F0 tornado ran 2.0 miles across Spotsylvania County on September 17, 2004, touching down at 4:29 PM EDT and reaching 75 yards wide. It killed nobody.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

F040 to 72 mphthis tornado
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
F173 to 112 mph
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
F2113 to 157 mph
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.
F3158 to 206 mph
Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.
F4207 to 260 mph
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
F5261 to 318 mph
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.
Unrated
The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating: F0
Date: September 17, 2004
Touchdown: 4:29 PM EDT (20:29 UTC)
Path length: 2.0 miles (3.2 km)
Path width: 75 yards (69 m)
Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
County: Spotsylvania County
Touchdown point: 38.200, -77.480
Lift-off point: 38.270, -77.500
Record number: 1768

What the Weather Service recorded

A weak tornado moved across eastern Spotsylvania County, Virginia on the 19th. Emergency personnel witnessed a tornado in the New Crest Area. Minor damage to trees and a few homes were reported.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the tornado touched down, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Baltimore/Washington wrote its last area forecast discussion before the tornado touched down at Sep 17, 4:06 PM EDT, 23 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 17, 4:06 PM EDT, 23 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
406 PM EDT FRI SEP 17 2004

HONESTLY THIS HAS BEEN AN XTRMLY REACTIONARY SHIFT - HV SPENT MOST
OF DAY ISSUING PRODUCTS/GIVING BRIEFINGS/DOING INTERVIEWS. HVG BEEN
ON FOR THE PAST SVRL DAYS I HV AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SYNOPTICS
BEHIND WHAT IS HAPPENING ATTM. XPCT WELL BE ISSUING MR TORS DURG
THE NEXT SVRL HRS. ALTHO WE HV NOT RCVD MUCH RAFL SO FAR STILL BLV
THAT IN TRPCL ENVIRONMENT LARGE AMTS OF RA COULD FALL IN SHORT AMT
OF TIME. WE HV DROPPED THE PSBL TOTALS TO 3-5.

IT LOOKS LK PCPN THREAT SHOULD BEGIN TO WANE IN THE NW SXN OF CWA
DURG SAT AFTN...BCMG BRZY AS WIND TURNS NRLY.

WOODY
&&

.LONG TERM (SAT NIGHT-FRI)

THERE WILL BE A TASTE OF FALL IN THE AIR EARLY NEXT WEEK AS CANADIAN
HIGH BUILDS IN. OVERNIGHT TEMPS EARLY NEXT WEEK WILL DROP INTO THE
40S IN SOME SPOTS OUT WEST WITH 50S MORE COMMON EAST. SKIES EXPECTED
TO CLEAR RAPIDLY SAT NIGHT AS MUCH DRIER AIR ADVECTS IN GUSTY NRLY
WINDS. DONT HAVE ANY MENTION OF PRECIP IN THE EXTENDED. WILL ONLY
HAVE TO DEAL WITH ANY RIVER FLOODING THAT MAY BE ONGOING.

ROSA
&&

.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 800 PM EDT SATURDAY FOR ZONE DCZ001.

TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 800 PM EDT FRIDAY FOR ZONE DCC001.

MD...FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 800 PM EDT SATURDAY FOR ZONES MDZ002>007...
MDZ009>011...MDZ013>014...MDZ016>018.

TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 800 PM EDT FRIDAY FOR ZONES MDC003...MDC009...
MDC017...MDC031...MDC033...MDC037.

TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 800 PM EDT FRIDAY FOR ZONES MDC005...MDC013...
MDC021...MDC025...MDC027...MDC043.

VA...TORNADO WARNING UNTIL 415 PM EDT FRIDAY FOR ZONES VAC113...
VAC157.

FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 800 PM EDT SATURDAY FOR ZONES
VAZ021...VAZ025>031...VAZ036>042...VAZ050>057.

WV...FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 800 PM EDT SATURDAY FOR ZONES WVZ048>055.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 17, 11:29 AM EDT, 5 hours before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
1129 AM EDT FRI SEP 17 2004

DCZ001-MDZ002>007-009>011-013-014-016>018-VAZ021-025>031-036>042-
050>057-WVZ048>055-180800-
ALBEMARLE VA-ALLEGANY MD-ANNE ARUNDEL MD-
ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA VA-AUGUSTA VA-BERKELEY WV-
CALVERT MD-CARROLL MD-CHARLES MD-CLARKE VA-CULPEPER VA-
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DC-FAIRFAX VA-FAUQUIER VA-FREDERICK VA-
FREDERICK MD-GRANT WV-GREENE VA-HAMPSHIRE WV-HARDY WV-HARFORD MD-
HIGHLAND VA-HOWARD MD-JEFFERSON WV-KING GEORGE VA-LOUDOUN VA-
MADISON VA-MINERAL WV-MONTGOMERY MD-MORGAN WV-NELSON VA-
NORTHERN BALTIMORE MD-ORANGE VA-PAGE VA-PENDLETON WV-
PRINCE GEORGES MD-PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK VA-
RAPPAHANNOCK VA-ROCKINGHAM VA-SHENANDOAH VA-SOUTHERN BALTIMORE MD-
SPOTSYLVANIA VA-ST. MARYS MD-STAFFORD VA-WARREN VA-WASHINGTON MD-
1129 AM EDT FRI SEP 17 2004

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MARYLAND WEST OF THE CHESAPEAKE
BAY AND EAST OF GARRETT COUNTY...EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA...NORTHERN AND
CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND WASHINGTON DC.

.DAY ONE...
A FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN VIRGINIA...MARYLAND...THE
PANHANDLE OF WEST VIRGINIA...AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. RAINFALL
ASSOCIATED WITH THE REMNANTS OF IVAN WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA
THROUGH SATURDAY. TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES WILL BE
POSSIBLE. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS...SMALL
STREAMS AND CREEKS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...
THE FLOOD WATCH WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY. AS THE
RAIN CONTINUES...SIGNIFICANT RISES ON THE POTOMAC RIVER WILL BE
POSSIBLE...WITH SEVERAL LOCATIONS EXCEEDING FLOOD STAGE ON SUNDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUIRED.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 17, 12:06 PM EDT, 4 hours 23 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
1206 PM EDT FRI SEP 17 2004

DCZ001-MDZ009>011-013-014-016>018-VAZ025>031-036>042-050>056-172200-
ALBEMARLE VA-ANNE ARUNDEL MD-ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA VA-
AUGUSTA VA-CALVERT MD-CHARLES MD-CLARKE VA-CULPEPER VA-
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DC-FAIRFAX VA-FAUQUIER VA-FREDERICK VA-
GREENE VA-HOWARD MD-LOUDOUN VA-MADISON VA-MONTGOMERY MD-NELSON VA-
ORANGE VA-PAGE VA-PRINCE GEORGES MD-
PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK VA-RAPPAHANNOCK VA-
ROCKINGHAM VA-SHENANDOAH VA-SOUTHERN BALTIMORE MD-SPOTSYLVANIA VA-
ST. MARYS MD-STAFFORD VA-WARREN VA-
1206 PM EDT FRI SEP 17 2004

...SEVERE WEATHER IS POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY THIS
EVENING...

THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER IN NORMAN OKLAHOMA HAS PLACED
VIRGINIA...PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MARYLAND...AND THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA AS HAVING A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER. INTENSE LOW
PRESSURE OVER EASTERN TENNESSEE IS SLIDING SLOWLY TO THE EAST.
BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH SPIN IN THE ATMOSPHERE ON THE EAST SIDE OF
THE LOW THIS HAS PUT MUCH OF THE AREA AT RISK FOR POSSIBLE TORNADOES
THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

IF CONDITIONS WARRANT A TORNADO WATCH MAY BE ISSUED LATER TODAY.

ABW

Special weather statement, Sep 17, 1:59 PM EDT, 2 hours 30 minutes before

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Special weather statement, Sep 17, 2:20 PM EDT, 2 hours 9 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
220 PM EDT FRI SEP 17 2004

VAZ039-171845-
MADISON VA-
220 PM EDT FRI SEP 17 2004

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN WESTERN MADISON COUNTY...

AT 220 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
GRAVES MILL...MOVING NORTH AT 30 MPH. THIS STORM WILL BE CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH. THE COMMUNITIES OF 245 PM EDT.
RESIDENTS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT IN CASE WARNINGS ARE
ISSUED. A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT THROUGH 8:00 PM.

MANNING

Local storm report, Sep 17, 4:27 PM EDT, 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
427 PM EDT FRI SEP 17 2004

..TIME...   ...EVENT...     ...CITY LOCATION...      ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....     ..COUNTY LOCATION...ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0425 PM     TORNADO          WARRENTON               38.72N 77.80W
09/17/2004                   FAUQUIER           VA   AMATEUR RADIO

            TORNADO REPORTED ON GROUND IN WARRENTON.

&&

CS

The surface observations

Shannon Airport (EZF), 5 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

Time (UTC)	Temp (°F)	Dew point (°F)	Wind	Gust (kt)	Pressure (mb)	Weather
00:00 UTC

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 82 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 20:28 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

This ground now

The live radar over the track Every 2004 tornado in Virginia Every tornado in Virginia since 1950 Warnings in force in Virginia now The forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of September 17, 2004

57 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

Date	Time	Rating	Where	Path (mi)	Width (yd)	Injuries	Damage
September 17	6:05 AM EDT	F0	Cleveland, NC	0.9	40		$50,000
September 17	11:09 AM EDT	F1	Guilford, NC	15.3	100
September 17	12:04 PM EDT	F2	Henry, VA	8.8	440	4	$54 million
September 17	12:55 PM EDT	F0	Moore, NC	0.5	25
September 17	1:12 PM EDT	F2	Bedford, VA	3.0	300
September 17	1:25 PM EDT	F0	Chatham, NC	0.5	25
September 17	2:24 PM EDT	F0	Pittsylvania, VA	0.3	25
September 17	2:54 PM EDT	F1	Campbell, VA	1.9	100
September 17	2:59 PM EDT	F1	Campbell, VA	3.0	75
September 17	3:44 PM EDT	F0	Albemarle, VA	0.3	50
September 17	4:02 PM EDT	F3	Fauquier, VA	9.0	200	2	$250,000
September 17	4:05 PM EDT	F2	Greene, VA	5.0	100	3	$3.0 million
September 17	4:08 PM EDT	F1	Amelia, VA	1.5	60		$10,000
September 17	4:10 PM EDT	F0	Warren, VA	0.5	50
September 17	4:12 PM EDT	F2	Madison, VA	8.0	400		$200,000
September 17	4:12 PM EDT	F2	Fauquier, VA	8.0	150		$500,000
September 17	4:15 PM EDT	F1	Caroline, VA	1.5	200		$30,000
September 17	4:24 PM EDT	F2	Fauquier, VA	13.0	200		$750,000
September 17	4:36 PM EDT	F0	City of Fredericksburg, VA	0.5	50
September 17	4:39 PM EDT	F2	Frederick, VA	5.0	125		$250,000
September 17	4:42 PM EDT	F1	Stafford, VA	6.0	100		$10,000
September 17	4:50 PM EDT	F1	Goochland, VA	1.0	100		$3,000
September 17	4:56 PM EDT	F1	Louisa, VA	1.5	50		$20,000
September 17	4:59 PM EDT	F0	Henrico, VA	0.5	150		$10,000
September 17	5:05 PM EDT	F0	Spotsylvania, VA	0.1	50
September 17	5:15 PM EDT	F1	Orange, VA	3.0	100		$150,000
September 17	5:20 PM EDT	F1	Loudoun, VA	12.0	200		$500,000
September 17	5:26 PM EDT	F2	Prince William, VA	4.0	250		$1.0 million
September 17	5:28 PM EDT	F2	Orange, VA	7.0	100		$70,000
September 17	5:30 PM EDT	F1	Fulton, PA	0.5	40
September 17	5:36 PM EDT	F1	Culpeper, VA	0.5	75		$850,000
September 17	5:37 PM EDT	F1	Frederick, VA	9.0	250	2	$1.0 million
September 17	5:40 PM EDT	F0	Hanover, VA	1.0	50		$2,000
September 17	5:40 PM EDT	F1	City of Manassas, VA	3.5	75		$500,000
September 17	5:42 PM EDT	F0	Caroline, VA	1.0	50		$2,000
September 17	5:50 PM EDT	F1	Culpeper, VA	0.1	75		$150,000
September 17	4:55 PM CDT	F2	Fairfax, VA to MD	15.0	200	1	$2.5 million
September 17	6:10 PM EDT	F1	Frederick, MD	4.0	150		$320,000
September 17	6:11 PM EDT	F1	Caroline, VA	1.5	60		$10,000
September 17	6:23 PM EDT	F1	Caroline, VA	2.0	150		$10,000
September 17	6:25 PM EDT	F1	King George, VA	7.0	250		$500,000
September 17	6:34 PM EDT	F1	Goochland, VA	0.2	40		$10,000
September 17	6:35 PM EDT	F0	Greensville, VA	0.8	100		$10,000
September 17	6:42 PM EDT	F0	Charles, MD	3.0	100		$10,000
September 17	6:54 PM EDT	F1	Frederick, MD	7.0	100		$50,000
September 17	7:14 PM EDT	F1	Franklin, PA	2.0	30
September 17	7:28 PM EDT	F1	Franklin, PA	2.5	50
September 17	7:40 PM EDT	F1	Jefferson, WV	2.0	100		$250,000
September 17	7:50 PM EDT	F2	Frederick, MD	3.0	200		$10,000
September 17	7:50 PM EDT	F2	Berkeley, WV	2.0	100	6	$30,000
September 17	8:18 PM EDT	F1	Franklin, PA	1.5	100
September 17	8:30 PM EDT	F1	Bedford, PA	3.5	100
September 17	7:30 PM CDT	F0	Morgan, WV to MD	1.0	100		$30,000
September 17	8:40 PM EDT	F1	Bedford, PA	2.3	50
September 17	8:55 PM EDT	F1	Cumberland, PA	2.0	50
September 17	9:05 PM EDT	F1	Juniata, PA	1.0	75
September 17	9:10 PM EDT	F1	Juniata, PA	4.5	100

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.