Heavy Rain — Lynchburg (c), Virginia

2019-08-01 · near Lyh Ivy Hill Arpt, Lynchburg (c), Virginia

Event narrative

A CoCoRaHS observer (VA-LYC-4) in Lynchburg reported 4.10 inches in 2.5 hours that fell from 715 to 945 PM local time (EDT). According to the observer the creek behind their house was the highest seen in 32 years. Per NOAA Atlas 14, the 4.10 inches in 2.5 hours is roughly a 200-year rain event (.005 annual chance occurrence).

Wider weather episode

A slow moving upper level trough moving through the area, combined with weak steering flow aloft, and ample heat and humidity allowed for numerous slow-moving severe thunderstorms to develop across Virginia, bringing large and damaging hail and severe wind gusts. A barn was destroyed by severe wind, lightning caused an apartment fire and hail up to two inches in diameter fell in Roanoke City resulted in thousands of dollars in damage across Virginia. In addition, very heavy rainfall occurred especially in parts of northeast Bedford County and the City of Lynchburg where 3 to 4 inches of rain fell in several hours causing some flash flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.3833, -79.2315)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 851658. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.