Severe Thunderstorms Bring 60 mph Winds to Virginia and Colorado as New Mexico Faces Flash Flooding

Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds up to 60 mph prompted warnings Friday afternoon and evening across parts of Virginia and Colorado, while flash flooding hit northeastern Grant County, New Mexico, and a heavy rain watch was issued for New Zealand's Wairoa District.

Active Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Virginia

A severe thunderstorm near Charlottesville, Virginia, in Albemarle County was moving southeast at 30 mph at 6:17 p.m. EDT with 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. [1] This storm threatened falling trees, damaged homes and vehicles, blocked roads, power outages and flying debris in locations that include Charlottesville. [1] Multiple Virginia counties including Campbell received severe thunderstorm warnings for 60 mph winds threatening roof, siding and tree damage. [5] At 6:14 p.m. EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Abilene to near Brookneal to near Pittsville, moving southeast at 30 mph. [5] The hazard included 60 mph wind gusts according to radar indication. [5] Locations impacted include Altavista, Hurt, Gretna, Brookneal, Charlotte Court House, Phenix and Mt Airy. [5] Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees in these areas. [5] The warnings covered communities such as Charlottesville, Altavista and Brookneal where damaging winds could cause trees and large branches to fall. [1] [5]

Severe Thunderstorms Moving Across Eastern Colorado

Severe thunderstorms in Elbert County, Colorado, moving east at 20 mph at 4:15 p.m. MDT carried 60 mph wind gusts and small hail. [4] These storms were located along a line from 5 miles southeast of Deer Trail to 8 miles south of Agate, or along a line from 26 miles northwest of Limon to 16 miles west of Limon. [4] Expected damage included impacts to roofs, siding and trees in areas including Agate and Cedar Point. [4] Radar indicated the hazards of 60 mph wind gusts and small hail. [4] The line of storms threatened structural damage and tree damage across eastern portions of the county. [4] Locations impacted include Agate and Cedar Point where residents faced potential harm to property from the moving thunderstorms. [4]

Flash Flooding Underway in Southwestern New Mexico

A flash flood warning was issued until 6:15 p.m. MDT for northeastern Grant County, New Mexico, after 1 to 1.5 inches of rain fell with up to 0.5 inches more possible. [2] Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area in northeastern Grant County in southwestern New Mexico. [2] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. [2] The hazard involves flash flooding caused by the rainfall totals already observed and the additional amounts forecast. [2] The warning remained in effect for the area where ongoing or imminent flash flooding posed risks. [2]

Stormy Weekend Outlook for New Zealand

New Zealand's MetService issued a heavy rain watch for the Wairoa District and strong wind watches for Taranaki, Wellington, the Marlborough Sounds and Kaikoura. [3] A stormy end to the weekend is in store for parts of the country with heavy rain, potentially severe gales, colder temperatures and widespread frosts forecast. [3] The heavy rain watch covers the Wairoa District while strong wind watches apply to Taranaki, Wellington, the Marlborough Sounds and Kaikoura. [3] Colder temperatures and widespread frosts are expected alongside the rain and wind conditions. [3] The outlook points to a stormy weekend end across the listed regions. [3]

Impacts and Safety Guidance from Warnings

Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall, which could injure those outdoors as well as damage homes and vehicles. [1] Roadways may become blocked by downed trees with localized power outages possible. [1] Unsecured light objects may become projectiles. [1] Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees from the 60 mph wind gusts and hail. [4] [5] Flash flooding caused by the heavy rain poses ongoing or imminent hazards in the warned area. [2] The alerts highlight risks of falling trees, damaged homes and vehicles, blocked roads, power outages and flying debris across the affected regions. [1] [2] [4] [5] Residents should remain alert to the potential for injury from falling branches and damage from high winds or hail. [1] [4]

What to watch next includes continued monitoring of the heavy rain watch for the Wairoa District and strong wind watches for Taranaki, Wellington, the Marlborough Sounds and Kaikoura as colder temperatures and widespread frosts develop.