High Wind — Norfolk, Virginia

2025-02-16 · Norfolk, Virginia

Event narrative

Gusty southwest winds developed behind a warm front on February 16. The wind gusts generally remained between 35 and 50 miles per hour throughout much of the day. However, the Norfolk International Airport ASOS measured a peak wind gust of 58 miles per hour (50 knots) late in the morning. Several large tree branches fell in a yard in Norfolk, causing damage to a pergola. Additionally, a billboard was blown down at the intersection of 49th Street and Hampton Boulevard.

Wider weather episode

A strong area of low pressure tracked from eastern Ohio across Pennsylvania and into New England on February 16, pushing a strong cold front across the region. A warm front lifted north across the region ahead of the cold front with a strong low level jet allowing for strong southwest winds to develop across portions of eastern Virginia on February 16. A west wind developed in the afternoon behind the cold front and remained gusty, however, winds were generally 35 to 40 mph in the afternoon as opposed to 45 to 60 mph ahead of the front.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1238151. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.