Thunderstorm Wind in Fairfax County, Virginia

NWS Storm Survey indicated a wet microburst produced near 70 mph winds. A dozen homes were damaged near Woodland Road in Annandale. According to newspaper accounts, three of the homes were evacuated due to structural damages and gas leaks. The extensive tree damage was likely exacerbated by weakened tree roots from the significant rains that occurred just a week earlier in late June.

A frontal boundary sagged south into the Mid Atlantic on July 2, and combined with very strong daytime heating and instability, contributed to scattered severe thunderstorm activity. Much of North-Central Virginia including the Washington Metro Region experienced damages from the severe thunderstorms. The worst damages occurred in the Annandale area of Fairfax County. A NWS survey team concluded that damages were caused from a wet microburst. Winds associated with the microburst were around 70 mph. Extensive property damage occurred during these storms, including numerous downed trees and powerlines. Local power companies reported in excess of 100,000 power outages in the Washington Metro Region from this bought of severe weather.