A broad, weak upper trough persisted across the eastern U.S., a continuation of the pattern from late July.  With a very moist, unstable air mass present across the region and the presence of the upper trough, scattered to numerous thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and persisted even past midnight. The storms generally progressed from the southern Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia to Roanoke and south central Virginia during the late afternoon/evening.  Then, around 10 pm EDT, a new area of thunderstorms developed in northwest North Carolina, which also quickly became severe.  The main event from all of these thunderstorms was severe hail, namely quarter-sized or larger.  The Roanoke area was particularly hard hit when a supercell drifted across the city from northeast to southwest.  Isolated thunderstorm wind events were also reported.

Hail in ROCKBRIDGE, VIRGINIA
From 01-AUG-12 16:20:00 to 01-AUG-12 16:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLASGOW
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained storm spotter observed hail, ranging in size from peas to quarters, along U.S. Highway 11 northwest of Glasgow.  The hail fell for a period of 5 minutes.

Hail in ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
From 01-AUG-12 17:20:00 to 01-AUG-12 17:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROANOKE CITY
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 1.25M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous reports of quarter to golf ball-sized hail were received from trained spotters and the public across the city of Roanoke and surrounding areas just outside of the city on the northwest, west, and southwest sides.  Quarter-sized hail was observed at the Glen Cove Elementary School northwest of Roanoke with golf ball-sized hail also observed nearby, quarter-sized hail was observed on Green Ridge Road northwest of Roanoke, golf ball-sized hail on Peters Creek Road near the Roanoke Woodrum Field Airport, and quarter-sized hail was observed on Pine Court Road southwest of Roanoke.  These were the hail reports observed outside the independent City of Roanoke.  Several hail reports were also observed within the City of Roanoke as well, and those are addressed in a separate entry. One car dealership in Roanoke reported 200 cars receiving $4000 to $5000 of damage each from this hail.

Hail in SALEM (C), VIRGINIA
From 01-AUG-12 17:28:00 to 01-AUG-12 17:28:00 (EST-5)
Location: SALEM (C)
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Salem Fire Department observed quarter-sized hail on Electric Road, which is approximately four miles west-northwest of Roanoke. A car dealership in Salem reported $1,500 to $2,200 dollars damage to each of their 300 cars from the large hail.

Hail in BATH, VIRGINIA
From 01-AUG-12 15:15:00 to 01-AUG-12 15:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: MILLBORO
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed half-dollar-sized hail in Millboro and nickel to quarter-sized hail approximately six miles west of Goshen.

Hail in BATH, VIRGINIA
From 01-AUG-12 14:49:00 to 01-AUG-12 14:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: MILLBORO
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained storm spotter observed quarter-sized.

Lightning in ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
From 01-AUG-12 17:45:00 to 01-AUG-12 17:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAVE SPG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Roanoke County 911 Center reported that lightning struck a home on Garst Carbin Drive.  No specific information regarding damages or fire was provided.

Hail in FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA
From 01-AUG-12 18:06:00 to 01-AUG-12 18:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOONES MILL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Franklin County Fire Department observed quarter-sized hail at Boones Mill.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
From 01-AUG-12 18:15:00 to 01-AUG-12 18:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROANOKE CITY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Roanoke County 911 Center reported that power lines were down on Indian Grave Road near U.S. Highway 220.

Hail in CHARLOTTE, VIRGINIA
From 01-AUG-12 19:15:00 to 01-AUG-12 19:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: ASPEN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed quarter-sized hail on Woodburn Lane.