Roanoke Valley Weather Blog

Thursday evening was a stormy one for most folks in the Roanoke area.  Particularly hard-hit were areas of Southside Virginia where storms redeveloped in the same areas, causing flooding and mudslides.  Henry County schools were 2 hours late this morning after 5 inches of rain fell in portions of Henry and Pittsylvania Counties overnight.  Flash flood warnings continued until early this afternoon for Henry County.

Several tornado warnings were issued for Henry, southern Franklin, eastern Patrick, and northwestern Pittsylvania Counties, and in areas further south and east, as weak rotation was found in a number of storms.  Storm surveys found that three tornadoes touched down briefly in Southside Virginia; one just north of Figsboro along the Henry-Franklin County line that damaged 4 homes and uprooted several trees, another just east of Sandy Level in Pittsylvania County that damaged several houses along Route 40, and another 3 miles east of Appomattox that damaged two homes and downed many trees as well.  All three were rated EF-1 on the enhanced Fujita scale, with winds estimated between 86 and 110 mph.

Friday evening, a strong storm moved out of the southern New River Valley into Patrick County before intensifying in Rockingham, Alamance, and Orange Counties in North Carolina, where it dumped large hail.

On April Fools’ Day, after a cloudy morning in the upper 40’s, the high temperature at my station (and at Roanoke Regional Airport) reached 79º.  Two days later, with the temperature here at 44º, a patch of mixed rain and sleet moved across northern portions of Roanoke around 8am.  Welcome to spring, eh?  I can’t recall seeing sleet occurring at such a warm surface temperature before, although I do remember as a child witnessing a wind-driven snow shower with temperatures in the mid-40’s.

The next 3 days will be on the showery side, with thunderstorms possible.  Good thing I mowed my grass yesterday, because it should be growing pretty fast by the time things dry out.

This was hardly a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Winds in excess of 50 mph caused power lines to fall, sparking fires in several areas, including north of mile marker 145 on Interstate 81. Our power was interrupted for about 3½ hours. The southbound lanes of I-81 were closed between the Hollins and I-581 exits for several hours because of smoke-reduced visibilities, backing up traffic for four miles. Other fires were located near Angel Lane, just northwest of the Hollins exit, and near Timberview Road on the north side of Green Ridge. Below are some photos I took from my home.

A fire near the intersection of Loch Haven Drive and Belle Haven Road:

Visibilities were reduced along I-81, just behind these houses:

A view of Buckland Mill Road, just south of the I-81 Hollins exit:

There were several other fires as well, including one in the Poages Mill area in southwestern Roanoke County, and a large fire northwest of Montvale in Bedford County that grew Saturday night and Sunday, forcing nearly 500 people to evacuate. Montvale Elementary School was used as a shelter. Power outages were widespread, with some people being told to expect service to be restored by Tuesday or Wednesday. Schools are closing Monday in Roanoke City and Bedford and Craig Counties because of power outages and/or wildfires.

Click here for more of my photos of the fires and wind damage.

The following areas reported wind gusts of at least 60 mph to the National Weather Service:
WEST JEFFERSON, NC 81MPH 242 PM 2/10 AUTOMATED OBSERVATION
FAIRFIELD, VA 75MPH 1230 PM 2/10
HOT SPRINGS, VA 74MPH 209 PM 2/10 AUTOMATED OBSERVATION
CHRISTIANSBURG, VA 70MPH 229 PM 2/10 NWS METEOROLOGIST
ROANOKE, VA 67MPH 354 PM 2/10 AUTOMATED OBSERVATION
DUBLIN, VA 66MPH 320 PM 2/10 AUTOMATED OBSERVATION
SALEM, VA 66MPH 425 PM 2/10 SIDING TORN OFF HOUSES
BOONE, NC 63MPH 243 PM 2/10 AUTOMATED OBSERVATION
LEXINGTON, VA 62MPH 207 PM 2/10 3 NNW LEXINGTON
PAINT BANK, VA 60MPH 1130 AM 2/10 THREE TREES DOWN
NEW CASTLE, VA 60MPH 1225 PM 2/10 LARGE TREE DOWN
BLACKSBURG, VA 60MPH 1230 PM 2/10 AWOS STATION
BOONSBORO, VA 60MPH 130 PM 2/10 TREES DOWN
WALTON, VA 60MPH 215 PM 2/10 TREE UPROOTED
BOONES MILL, VA 60MPH 235 PM 2/10 LARGE TREE UPROOTED
SPARTA, NC 60MPH 325 PM 2/10 THREE TREES DOWN

On Wednesday, February 6, 2008…
Record high temperatures set at Roanoke VA and Bluefield WV…

A record high of 68 degrees was set Wednesday in Roanoke.
The old record of 67 was set in 1990.
A record high of 66 degrees was set Wednesday in Bluefield.
The old record of 63 was set in 1990.

On Tuesday, February 5, 2008…
Record high temperatures set at Lynchburg VA, Danville VA,
Blacksburg VA, and Bluefield WV…
Record high temperature tied at Roanoke VA…

The record high of 74 degrees was tied Tuesday in Roanoke.
The record was set in 1991.
A record high of 75 degrees was set Tuesday in Lynchburg.
The old record of 73 was set in 1991.
A record high of 73 degrees was set Tuesday in Danville.
The old record of 70 was set in 1991.
A record high of 69 degrees was set Tuesday in Blacksburg.
The old record of 67 was set in 1962.
A record high of 69 degrees was set Tuesday in Bluefield.
The old record of 65 was set in 1991.

A second winter storm spread snow Saturday across areas of the South that rarely see snow, although accumulations were generally unimpressive because of the warm ground. In many of these areas, the precipitation fell as rain initially, then changed to snow as temperatures fell quickly. In our area, generally only scattered flurries fell west of the piedmont. Patches of snow aloft moved across the Roanoke area, but were eroded by the dry air before reaching the ground.

Behind this storm, a polar dome of high pressure moved into the area. The low temperature at Hot Springs today was zero, with temperatures around 5 degrees common in higher elevations. Wind chill advisories were issued west of the Blue Ridge for Sunday morning. High pressure will move overhead tonight, allowing the winds to diminish but temperatures to fall to the coldest readings of the season, especially in areas where snow continues to cover the ground.

Here’s a map of accumulations from Thursday’s storm:
(Click here for actual size)

VIRGINIA
…ALLEGHANY COUNTY…
LOW MOOR 6.5 1230 PM 1/17 COOP REPORT
CLIFTON FORGE 4.3 1145 AM 1/17

…AMHERST COUNTY…
PLEASANT VIEW 3.2 800 PM 1/17

…APPOMATTOX COUNTY…
STONEWALL 2.5 415 PM 1/17 1/8 ICE ON TREES.

…BATH COUNTY…
HOT SPRINGS 7.3 1118 AM 1/17

…BEDFORD COUNTY…
BIG ISLAND 3.8 315 PM 1/17
SEDALIA 3.5 1245 PM 1/17 1 NW SEDALIA
THAXTON 2.0 847 AM 1/17
FOREST 1.9 249 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT

…BLAND COUNTY…
BLAND 5.5 800 PM 1/17
BLAND 5.0 930 AM 1/17

…BOTETOURT COUNTY…
CLOVERDALE 5.0 1153 AM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
BLUE RIDGE 4.3 124 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
BUCHANAN 4.0 1200 PM 1/17 VIA WDBJ
FINCASTLE 3.5 945 AM 1/17

…BUCKINGHAM COUNTY…
MOUNT RUSH 2.5 1053 AM 1/17 SKYWARN SPOTTER
GOLD HILL 1.0 1122 PM 1/17 AMATEUR RADIO

…CAMPBELL COUNTY…
CONCORD 3.0 144 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
LYNCH STATION 1.3 315 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT

…CARROLL COUNTY…
WOODLAWN 3.0 920 AM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
DUGSPUR 2.5 1039 AM 1/17 AMATEUR RADIO

…CITY OF BUENA VISTA…
BUENA VISTA 4.5 1114 AM 1/17

…CITY OF COVINGTON…
COVINGTON 6.0 439 PM 1/17 PUBLIC

…CITY OF GALAX…
GALAX 3.0 1000 AM 1/17 SPOTTER

…CITY OF LEXINGTON…
LEXINGTON 5.0 245 PM 1/17

…CITY OF LYNCHBURG…
LYNCHBURG 2.8 1115 AM 1/17 SKYWARN SPOTTER
LYNCHBURG 2.6 1248 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
LYNCHBURG 2.5 115 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT

…CITY OF MARTINSVILLE…
MARTINSVILLE 1.0 940 AM 1/17 AMATEUR RADIO

…CITY OF RADFORD…
RADFORD 5.0 927 AM 1/17

…CITY OF ROANOKE…
ROANOKE 5.0 850 AM 1/17
ROANOKE 4.0 252 PM 1/17 AT WDBJ

…CITY OF SALEM…
SALEM 6.0 111 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT

…FLOYD COUNTY…
TERRYS FORK 3.5 1045 AM 1/17
COPPER HILL 2.5 800 AM 1/17
FLOYD 2.5 1253 PM 1/17 SAWMILL HILL ROAD
FLOYD 1.8 347 PM 1/17 4 MILES NE BUFFALO MTN.

…FRANKLIN COUNTY…
ROCKY MOUNT 3.0 400 PM 1/17 CABLE 12 FRANKLIN CO.
SNOW CREEK 2.0 400 PM 1/17 CABLE 12 FRANKLIN CO.

…GILES COUNTY…
PEARISBURG 5.3 1128 AM 1/17 AMATEUR RADIO
NARROWS 5.0 1130 AM 1/17
NORTH PEARISBURG 5.0 1010 AM 1/17
MAYBROOK 4.5 930 AM 1/17

…GRAYSON COUNTY…
INDEPENDENCE 6.0 1010 AM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
BRIDLE CREEK 5.0 1203 PM 1/17
ELK CREEK 4.8 1140 AM 1/17
TROUT DALE 4.5 945 AM 1/17
FRIES 4.0 1020 AM 1/17
HILLTOWN 4.0 1139 AM 1/17 SKYWARN SPOTTER
LOW GAP 3.5 915 AM 1/17

…HENRY COUNTY…
BASSETT 1.0 830 AM 1/17

…MONTGOMERY COUNTY…
LAUREL RIDGE 8.0 1030 AM 1/17
SHAWSVILLE 6.0 1145 AM 1/17
BLACKSBURG 5.75 149 PM 1/17 6 W SKYWARN SPOTTER
EAST RADFORD 5.5 800 PM 1/17
CHRISTIANSBURG 5.0 1048 AM 1/17
PRICES FORK 5.0 1222 PM 1/17 NWS EMPLOYEE
SHAWSVILLE 5.0 1052 AM 1/17 WDBJ
IRONTO 4.7 1005 AM 1/17
CHRISTIANSBURG 4.5 1215 PM 1/17 3 S CHRISTIANSBURG
PRICES FORK 4.5 1000 AM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
ELLISTON 4.4 830 AM 1/17
RINER 4.0 930 AM 1/17 NWS EMPLOYEE

…PATRICK COUNTY…
WOOLWINE 2.0 1109 AM 1/17 POST OFFICE

…PULASKI COUNTY…
DUBLIN 5.0 252 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
PULASKI 5.0 1000 AM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
DUBLIN 4.5 1100 AM 1/17 AMATEUR RADIO
FAIRLAWN 4.5 950 AM 1/17 PUBLIC

…ROANOKE COUNTY…
GLENVAR 6.0 1159 AM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
HOLLINS 4.3 215 PM 1/17 SKYWARN SPOTTER
HOLLINS 4.5 400 PM 1/17 CABLE 12 FRANKLIN CO.
VINTON 4.5 1020 AM 1/17
CAVE SPRING 4.3 114 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT

…ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY…
GOSHEN 7.0 800 PM 1/17
RAPHINE 5.0 251 PM 1/17 SKYWARN SPOTTER
CEDAR GROVE 2.5 940 AM 1/17
GLASGOW T 700 AM 1/17 COOP

…SMYTH COUNTY…
MARION 3.3 1058 AM 1/17 SKYWARN SPOTTER
SALTVILLE 3.0 1009 AM 1/17

…TAZEWELL COUNTY…
TANNERSVILLE 3.0 1057 AM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT

…WYTHE COUNTY…
FORT CHISWELL 6.0 115 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
WYTHEVILLE 5.5 150 PM 1/17 SKYWARN SPOTTER
AUSTINVILLE 4.0 218 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT

WEST VIRGINIA

…GREENBRIER COUNTY…
RAINELLE 8.0 202 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
WILLIAMSBURG 8.0 1214 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
FRIARS HILL 6.0 1214 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
SMOOT 6.0 110 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
RONCEVERTE 5.5 116 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
FRIARS HILL 5.0 1045 AM 1/17
LEWISBURG 5.0 1224 PM 1/17 LOST WORLD CAVERNS
RENICKS VALLEY 4.5 1203 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
RONCEVERTE 4.5 1020 AM 1/17

…MERCER COUNTY…
LASHMEET 5.0 1000 AM 1/17
MONTCALM 5.0 1000 AM 1/17
PRINCETON 5.0 1230 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
HIAWATHA 4.0 103 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
BLUEFIELD 3.8 1148 AM 1/17 WVVA-TV
PRINCETON 3.5 1015 AM 1/17 PUBLIC

…MONROE COUNTY…
UNION 5.0 127 PM 1/17 EMERGENCY MANAGER

NORTH CAROLINA

…ALLEGHANY COUNTY…
ENNICE 4.0 1010 AM 1/17 WXII
ROARING GAP 4.0 837 AM 1/17 SOME SLEET MIXED
SPARTA 3.0 230 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT

…ASHE COUNTY…
WEST JEFFERSON 6.0 1004 AM 1/17
LANSING 5.0 940 AM 1/17
FLEETWOOD 4.0 830 AM 1/17 AMATEUR RADIO
JEFFERSON 3.0 830 AM 1/17 AMATEUR RADIO

…ROCKINGHAM COUNTY…
EDEN 1.0 1000 AM 1/17
REIDSVILLE 1.0 1245 PM 1/17

…STOKES COUNTY…
LAWSONVILLE 1.0 921 AM 1/17 MEDIA REPORT

…SURRY COUNTY…
LOWGAP 3.0 104 PM 1/17 VIA WXII
STATE ROAD 3.0 1125 AM 1/17 NCDOT
DOBSON 2.5 204 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT

…WATAUGA COUNTY…
BOONE 5.5 1253 PM 1/17 PUBLIC REPORT
MEAT CAMP 5.0 955 AM 1/17
FOSCOE 4.0 859 AM 1/17
WATAUGA COUNTY 1.5 305 AM 1/17 COUNTY WIDE

…WILKES COUNTY…
WILKESBORO 3.0 157 PM 1/17 EMERGENCY MANAGER
MILLERS CREEK 2.5 830 AM 1/17 AMATEUR RADIO

Light snow started falling about 5:15am this morning, and started sticking to the ground almost immediately.  The temperature at the snow’s onset was 33.5 degrees.  An hour later, the temperature was about 4 degrees cooler, as the dry air and low dew points allowed temperatures to fall rapidly.  The precipitation should be primarily snow, with sleet probably mixing in before it ends.  Some freezing drizzle may fall this evening.

This is a fast-moving system, so most of the precipitation will be ending by mid-afternoon.  Winter Weather Advisories for 3 to 5 inches of snow are posted in the Roanoke region. UPDATE: The Winter Weather Advisory has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning because of higher potential accumulations. The precipitation is mixing with sleet, so little additional accumulation is likely.

On Monday, January 7, 2008…
Record high temperatures set at Roanoke VA, Danville VA,
Blacksburg VA, and Bluefield WV…

A record high of 72 degrees was set Monday in Roanoke.
The old record of 66 was set in 1998.
A record high of 74 degrees was set Monday in Danville.
The old record of 68 was set in 1953.
A record high of 66 degrees was set Monday in Blacksburg.
The old record of 64 was set in 1998.
A record high of 68 degrees was set Monday in Bluefield.
The old record of 65 was set in 1998.

The year 2007 finished as the warmest on record, with an average temperature of 53.3 degrees, breaking the old record of 53.0 set in 1990. Roanoke received 29.86 inches of rain, which is 12.63 inches below normal. The first full year that records were kept at Roanoke Regional Airport was 1949.

In a sharp contract to the past few years, the first few days of 2008 will be much cooler than normal. However, above-normal temperatures are in store for several days starting this weekend, but with no rain expected.