A deep upper low was located across eastern Canada with a trough extending southward across the Appalachians.  A nearly stationary cold front was draped west to east across the region near the Virginia/North Carolina border.  Moisture values were quite high across the region.  Thus with ample heating and instability, scattered strong to severe thunderstorms developed mainly east of the Blue Ridge across the Piedmont and into Southside Virginia.  These thunderstorms produced marginally severe hail and a number of reports of downed trees.

Hail in BEDFORD, VIRGINIA
From 04-AUG-15 14:47:00 to 04-AUG-15 14:47:00 (EST-5)
Location: BIG ISLAND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A SkyWarn spotter observed quarter-sized hail just north-northwest of Big Island.

Hail in AMHERST, VIRGINIA
From 04-AUG-15 14:48:00 to 04-AUG-15 14:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: SNOWDEN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

The public provided a report of quarter-sized hail via Twitter just north of Big Island.

Thunderstorm Wind in AMHERST, VIRGINIA
From 04-AUG-15 15:11:00 to 04-AUG-15 15:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: SANDLEDGE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Amherst County 911 Center reported that a tree was down along Lowesville Road approximately five miles northwest of Amherst.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, VIRGINIA
From 04-AUG-15 15:44:00 to 04-AUG-15 15:44:00 (EST-5)
Location: BASSETT FORKS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Martinsville Bulletin News reported that several trees were down near the intersection of Oak Level Road and Virginia Highway 57.  The road was blocked and traffic had to be rerouted for some time until the downed trees could be removed from the roadway.

Thunderstorm Wind in AMHERST, VIRGINIA
From 04-AUG-15 15:30:00 to 04-AUG-15 15:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLIFFORD
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Amherst County 911 Center reported that multiple trees were down along Patrick Henry Way approximately two miles north-northeast of Clifford.

Hail in CAMPBELL, VIRGINIA
From 04-AUG-15 15:34:00 to 04-AUG-15 15:34:00 (EST-5)
Location: LYNCH STATION
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several SkyWarn Spotters observed quarter-sized hail along Wards Road in Altavista, VA.

Hail in HENRY, VIRGINIA
From 04-AUG-15 15:34:00 to 04-AUG-15 15:34:00 (EST-5)
Location: PHILPOTT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several reports of quarter-sized hail were received from the public along Blue Ridge View Drive just north of Bassett.

Hail in HENRY, VIRGINIA
From 04-AUG-15 15:35:00 to 04-AUG-15 15:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: BASSETT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A SkyWarn Spotter observed penny-sized hail in Bassett.  He noted that a few small tree limbs were down in the area as well.

Thunderstorm Wind in AMHERST, VIRGINIA
From 04-AUG-15 15:24:00 to 04-AUG-15 15:24:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLIFFORD
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Amherst County 911 Center reported that several trees were down along Turkey Mountain Road approximately five miles north of Amherst.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, VIRGINIA
From 04-AUG-15 15:39:00 to 04-AUG-15 15:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: BASSETT
Magnitude: 59.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Martinsville Bulletin and News reported that a brief but intense severe thunderstorm toppled trees and knocked out electricity to more than 1700 Appalachian Power customers.  The storm was concentrated in the Bassett area, and in particular in the Riverside Drive, Columbus Drive, and Mary Hunter Drive areas.  Several of these roads were blocked by downed trees and traffic had to be rerouted until the trees were removed from the roadways.  A portion of the roof to the Historic J.D. Bassett Event Center on Riverside Drive was damaged as a result of the storm.  The damage to the roof resulted in significant leaks and allowed water to accumulate four to six inches deep in front of the auditorium stage.  In addition, a very old historic tree on the green in front of the Event Center was also uprooted and destroyed.  There were no injuries as a result of the storm.