Strong Wind in Franklin, Virginia

Outflow from thunderstorms caused multiple reports of wind damage throughout Franklin County, including at least 18 trees blown down in the northern portion of the county. A tree was also blown down at the 200 Block of Sample Road. One power line was reported down across the road near the intersection of Middle Valley Road and Green Ridge Drive, and another tree was blown down on Indian Run Trail.

A cold front moved slowly southward through the Mid-Atlantic, triggering scattered thunderstorms with heavy rainfall rates and severe weather. While shear was not very high (<30 knots), the atmosphere was considerably unstable with SBCAPE values of at least 2000 J/kg. Low level lapse rates and mid-level lapse rates were up to 8.5 C/km and 6.5C/km, respectively, in the Piedmont. All these parameters, combined with DCAPE values of 1000-1400 J/kg, resulted in scattered severe thunderstorms bringing numerous trees down the New River Valley and the Piedmont of Virginia. A gradient of negative omega values (upward motion) across southwest Virginia was noted as the storms passed, likely keeping the storms active in spite of crossing over the Appalachians. This storm episode is notable as gusty winds from the storms' outflow resulted in wind damage in areas that did not meet warning criteria. One was strong enough to knock over a tent in Bedford, killing 1 and injuring 22 at an outdoor event.