Thunderstorm Wind in Fairfax County, Virginia

A severe thunderstorm produced a strong downburst one mile

northwest of Burke VA with peak winds estimated 90 MPH. While

other minor scattered tree damage was noted outside of the

microburst in the general area, the microburst affected the

communities around Lake Royal. Significant concentrated damage

began along Zion Road between the cross streets of Guinea Drive

and Hillard Lake Road. Tree damage continued along Bridgewood

Drive and Falmead Road before reaching Lake Royal. Through this

area, many, though not all, of the trees were snapped midway,

uprooted, or had large branches snapped off. Trees fell onto cars,

powerlines, roads, and homes with substantial damage. Damage was

unidirectionally pushed to the east northeast in the direction of

storm movement.

As the microburst crossed Lake Royal, the lack of trees and

roughness allowed the winds to accelerate and then blast the

townhomes on the east shore. Several townhomes on that row facing

the lake had significant portions of their roofs lifted off. Winds

were estimated to have peaked at 90 MPH.

On the south side of the lake along Guinea Drive, trees were

snapped onto the road and powerlines. A business park building was

noted to have some damage due to the roof being slightly lifted

temporarily.

Significant tree damage continued to the community on the east

side of Lake Royal with similar tree damage along Lakepoint Drive

west of Guinea Road. Trees and branches were again snapped onto

cars and homes, and townhome fences were pushed down on many

properties. East of Guinea Road, winds lessened and tree damage

became isolated. One further point of note was Burke Road near

Peppercorn Drive where a few trees were downed, one onto a bus

stand and street light.

Throughout the survey, damage was pushed to the northeast in the

direction of storm movement. NWS Doppler Weather Radar KLWX in

Sterling, VA, as well as FAA Terminal Doppler Radars from TDCA

and TADW, displayed thunderstorm downburst signatures at the Burke

location at the time, with no evidence of rotation indicating the

storm being tornadic. Severe straight line thunderstorm downburst

wind gusts can sometimes produce damage equivalent to damage from

EF0 and EF1 tornadoes.

Severe thunderstorms can produce wind gusts equal to EF0 and EF1

tornadoes.

The National Weather Service would like to thanks Fairfax County

Department of Emergency Management and Security for their

assistance.

Lines of thunderstorms developing well out ahead of a cold front in a hot and unstable environment resulted in scattered instances of damaging wind gusts. A few destructive wind gusts were noted in north-central Virginia.