An upper level storm system moving toward the region from the south would interact with a closed upper level low moving through the Tennessee Valley. At the surface, a fast moving cold front moved into the region where a highly sheared environment was in place. These conditions triggered multiple severe thunderstorms and a two tornadoes in southwest Virginia.

Thunderstorm Wind in GALAX (C), VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 16:45:00 to 23-OCT-17 16:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: GALAX
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm wind gusts brought down a utility pole at the intersection of South Main and Long Street in Galax.

Thunderstorm Wind in PATRICK, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 17:00:00 to 23-OCT-17 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: THE HOLLOW
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds brought down a tree near the intersection of Johnson Creek and Wards Gap Roads.

Thunderstorm Wind in PATRICK, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 17:38:00 to 23-OCT-17 17:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: WOOLWINE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree on Route 8 near the Floyd County line.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARROLL, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 16:59:00 to 23-OCT-17 16:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLADEVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm winds brought down two trees near Winterberry Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAYSON, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 16:58:00 to 23-OCT-17 16:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: FRIES
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 1.50K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds downed three large trees in a homeowner's backyard along Windmill Road near Galax.

Thunderstorm Wind in RADFORD (C), VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 17:32:00 to 23-OCT-17 17:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: RADFORD
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees within the City of Radford.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 18:04:00 to 23-OCT-17 18:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: HENRY
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm wind gusts downed numerous trees along Philpott Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 18:06:00 to 23-OCT-17 18:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: FERRUM
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees in and around the community of Ferrum.

Thunderstorm Wind in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 18:31:00 to 23-OCT-17 18:31:00 (EST-5)
Location: BROSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds brought down a power pole along Inman Road, temporarily closing it.

Thunderstorm Wind in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 18:40:00 to 23-OCT-17 18:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: CALLANDS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Reported by: Post Office

Thunderstorm winds brought down numerous large tree limbs along the Franklin Turnpike.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALLEGHANY, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 18:51:00 to 23-OCT-17 18:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLIFFDALE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds knocked down a power line along Hayes Gap Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALLEGHANY, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 18:57:00 to 23-OCT-17 18:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: MALLOW
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds brought down a tree along Valley Ridge Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in CAMPBELL, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 18:55:00 to 23-OCT-17 18:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: LYNCHBURG ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds knocked down a tree on Sandusky Drive in Lynchburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in BEDFORD, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 19:30:00 to 23-OCT-17 19:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: COLEMAN FALLS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds knocked down one tree along the Lee Jackson Highway.

Tornado in GRAYSON, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 16:53:00 to 23-OCT-17 16:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: PROVIDENCE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A brief tornado touched down at 4:53PM (LST) in Grayson County near the Town of Providence on Twin Pond Lane. The tornado would travel about a third of a mile before lifting over Highway 94 near Mandolin Lane after being on the ground for only a minute. . Multiple residencies received some damage with one house being totaled by a tree falling through it and a barn being knocked down. Numerous trees were snapped or knocked over. No injuries were reported. The maximum path width was 150 yards and peak intensity was consistent with EF1 (86-110 MPH) damage.

Tornado in PULASKI, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 17:33:00 to 23-OCT-17 17:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: COWAN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down as an EF1 at 5:33PM (LST) just west of Belspring Road and traveled 1.3 miles before crossing the New River along Depot Road into Montgomery County at approximately 5:35PM. The tornado would continue almost two more miles before lifting near McCoy at 5:39PM. The heaviest damage was to a residence that had an unattached garage/workshop that was torn apart. Debris from this structure fell over onto two nearby vehicles and was also thrown into the two story home which suffered considerable damage. Many other homes, mainly along Belspring and Depot Roads, received some minor structural damage.  Hundreds of trees were snapped or knocked down. The tornado reached it's maximum width of 300 yards near the river and consistently displayed EF1 (86-110 MPH) damage through its lifespan.

Tornado in MONTGOMERY, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 17:35:00 to 23-OCT-17 17:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITETHORNE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down as an EF1 at 5:33PM (LST) just west of Belspring Road in Pulaski County and traveled 1.3 miles before crossing the New River along Depot Road into Montgomery County at approximately 5:35PM. The tornado would continue almost two more miles before lifting near McCoy at 5:39PM. Most of the damage was to trees being snapped or knocked down on Kentland Farm, with likely totals in the hundreds. Some homes in the McCoy area received some minor damage, however the majority of the path through Montgomery county managed to stay in uninhabited areas. The tornado reached its maximum width of 300 yards near the river and consistently displayed EF1 (86-110 MPH) damage through its lifespan.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, VIRGINIA
From 23-OCT-17 18:00:00 to 23-OCT-17 18:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHESTNUT KNOB
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds knocked down multiple trees along a path from Soapstone Road to Country Club Drive. Damage to power lines and poles left nearly 600 customers without power.