High pressure remained over the western Atlantic while a strong cold front slowly tracked through the Midwest. A southerly flow pumped in copious amounts of moisture from the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The trough of low pressure associated with the cold front provided enough cold air aloft for moderate instability to develop. The instability combined with an upper-level disturbance rotating around the trough to trigger showers and thunderstorms.
There was enough instability along with stronger winds aloft for some thunderstorms to become severe. Low level winds changed rapidly in speed and direction with height causing isolated tornadoes to develop.

Tornado in STAFFORD, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 17:15:00 to 27-APR-11 17:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: MIDWAY IS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

A tornado was observed by a weather observer at Quantico and it was also seen by several others at a distance. Debris was reportedly lofted and circulated beneath a pendant funnel until it dissipated.
The tornado was located in remote wooded portions of the Quantico Marine Corps Base so damage indicators were inaccessible. The tornado path continued into Prince William County.

Hail in PRINCE WILLIAM, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 17:12:00 to 27-APR-11 17:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: DUMFRIES
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Public

Ping pong ball sized hail was reported near Dumfries.

Hail in PRINCE WILLIAM, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 17:16:00 to 27-APR-11 17:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: DUMFRIES
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail up to size of quarters was reported at Dumfries.

Thunderstorm Wind in PRINCE WILLIAM, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 17:20:00 to 27-APR-11 17:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: TRIANGLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

A large tree was down near Dumfries.

Tornado in PRINCE WILLIAM, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 17:17:00 to 27-APR-11 17:22:00 (EST-5)
Location: BROWN FIELD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

A tornado was observed by a weather observer at Quantico and it was also seen by several others at a distance. Debris was reportedly lofted and circulated beneath a pendant funnel until it dissipated.
The tornado was located in remote wooded portions of the Quantico Marine Corps Base so damage indicators were inaccessible.

Tornado in PRINCE WILLIAM, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 21:46:00 to 27-APR-11 22:01:00 (EST-5)
Location: NOKESVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 15.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous trees were snapped along Carriage Ford Road, Aden Road and Garman Drive. Siding and shingles were removed from several homes in the area.
Horse run-ins and sheds were also damaged. Garage doors were blown in on a detached garage. A fence was also damaged along with some signs and small trees in the parking lot of a shopping center. A few trees were snapped along Linton Hall Road before the tornado lifted.

Tornado in FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 22:25:00 to 27-APR-11 22:28:00 (EST-5)
Location: SUNSET HILLS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 40.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado began in a parking lot along Sunset Hills Road where small slimbs were snapped from a hardwood tree and a large limb was snapped from a softwood tree. The tornado crossed Sunset Hills Road and entered a golf course where it uprooted or snapped several hardwood and softwood trees.
A few trees were snapped or uprooted along Wedge Road and a few homes appeared to have minor damage from the fallen trees. The tornado tracked toward the Oaks Village Center before weakening. Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped near the Oaks Village Center.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 14:45:00 to 27-APR-11 14:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: SCOTTSVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was down on Scottsville Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in ORANGE, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 16:02:00 to 27-APR-11 16:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: DANTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Reported by: Public

Medium sized branches were down due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 18:03:00 to 27-APR-11 18:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: CARTERS BRIDGE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was over Scottsville Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 18:04:00 to 27-APR-11 18:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHADWELL
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Two trees were down over State Farm Boulevard.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 18:05:00 to 27-APR-11 18:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: EASTHAM
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were down on Bollingbrook Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 18:27:00 to 27-APR-11 18:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: OAKPARK
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A couple of trees were down near Oak Park.

Thunderstorm Wind in SPOTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 19:40:00 to 27-APR-11 19:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: HOLLADAY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two trees were down along Route 522.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 19:32:00 to 27-APR-11 19:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: BLUEMONT
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Public

Several trees were down on Route 7 in Round Hill.

Thunderstorm Wind in PRINCE WILLIAM, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 17:12:00 to 27-APR-11 17:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: DUMFRIES
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Public

Tree limbs about fifteen to seventeen inches in diameter were blown down.

Hail in ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 14:45:00 to 27-APR-11 14:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: SCOTTSVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail up to quarters in size was reported near Scottsvile.

Hail in PRINCE WILLIAM, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 17:17:00 to 27-APR-11 17:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: DUMFRIES
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Post Office

Ping pong ball sized hail was reported at Dumfries.

Hail in ORANGE, VIRGINIA
From 27-APR-11 15:50:00 to 27-APR-11 15:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: THORNHILL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail up to quarters in size was reported near Thornhill.