A strong cold front with a negatively-tilted upper level trough approached southwest Virginia.  Plenty of wind shear with modest instability made conditions ripe for large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.  The thunderstorms ahead of the cold front became strong enough to produce six tornadoes across portions of southwest Virginia.  While the first tornado originally formed in Caswell County of North Carolina and crossed into Virginia, the other five all touched down in Virginia.  These tornadoes caused significant damage within the cities of Danville and Lynchburg and within the town of Elon in Amherst County.  It is the first time ever since storm data records began in 1950 that a tornado struck inside the city limits of Lynchburg.

Tornado in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 16:58:00 to 15-APR-18 17:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: WESTOVER HILLS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 1.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the third and final segment in Virginia of a tornado that originated west of Pelham near Dusty Lane in Caswell County of North Carolina at 4:51 PM EST.  After crossing Pittsylvania County and the independent city of Danville, the tornado continued northward and entered Pittsylvania County again at 4:58 PM EST.   Numerous trees were damaged or destroyed, several outbuildings were destroyed, and minor roof damage occurred on numerous houses.  The greatest damage was found on a farm at R and L Smith Road.  Estimated maximum winds were 110 MPH.  By 5:10 PM EST, the tornado finally lifted about two miles southwest of Dry Fork.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 17:42:00 to 15-APR-18 17:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: HALIFAX
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds in the town of Halifax.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUCKINGHAM, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 18:30:00 to 15-APR-18 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: WINGINA
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated up to 65 MPH snapped and uprooted trees from Gladstone at 6:25 PM EST to Wingina at 6:35 PM EST.

Tornado in CAMPBELL, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 18:00:00 to 15-APR-18 18:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: TIMBERLAKE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 6.10M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the first segment of a tornado that touched down just south of Waterlink Road near Timberlake in Campbell County at 6:00 PM EST.  The tornado uprooted trees, damaged multiple roofs from homes, damaged several businesses, and flipped several cars.  A total of 28 buildings suffered damage, and five of those buildings were completely destroyed.  The tornado crossed Timberlake Road and exited Campbell County at 6:03 PM EST.  It would continue into the western portion of the independent city of Lynchburg and further northward into Amherst County.

Hail in CARROLL, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 14:06:00 to 15-APR-18 14:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: HILLSVILLE
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Tornado in BEDFORD, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 17:10:00 to 15-APR-18 17:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHAMBLISSBURG
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 200.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

At 5:10 PM EST, a tornado briefly touched down on the 1800 block of Mead Valley Road about four miles northwest of Moneta.  This tornado caused significant damage to the roof of one home, and it also caused damage to an adjacent barn and outbuilding.  About fifty mature trees were either snapped or uprooted.  Estimated maximum winds were 105 MPH.  By 5:11 PM EST, the tornado lifted near the 10000 block of Dickerson Mill Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 16:45:00 to 15-APR-18 16:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: AXTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A power line was blown down just north of Axton.

Thunderstorm Wind in BEDFORD, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 16:57:00 to 15-APR-18 16:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: STEWARTSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.20K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Large tree limbs were blown down by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in BEDFORD, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 17:13:00 to 15-APR-18 17:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: GOODVIEW
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Debris from a cattle barn was blown on to Meadors Spur Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in CAMPBELL, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 17:49:00 to 15-APR-18 17:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: NARUNA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

One tree was blown down along Whipping Creek Road, and another tree was blown down along the Brookneal Highway.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHARLOTTE, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 18:05:00 to 15-APR-18 18:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: PHENIX
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree along the Patrick Henry Highway.

Tornado in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 16:53:00 to 15-APR-18 16:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: VANDOLA
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 50.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the first segment in Virginia of a tornado that originated west of Pelham near Dusty Lane in Caswell County of North Carolina at 4:51 PM EST.  It crossed into Pittsylvania County at 4:53 PM EST.  The tornado snapped numerous trees and damaged a few outbuildings.  The tornado crossed into the independent city of Danville at 4:55 PM EST.  It would later continue northward back into Pittsylvania County.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAYSON, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 13:30:00 to 15-APR-18 13:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLITO MILL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

One large tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds along Carsonville Road.

Tornado in DANVILLE (C), VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 16:55:00 to 15-APR-18 16:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: DANVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 2.60M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the second segment in Virginia of a tornado that originated west of Pelham near Dusty Lane in Caswell County of North Carolina at 4:51 PM EST.  The tornado exited Pittsylvania County and entered into the independent city of Danville at 4:55 PM EST.  The tornado damaged or destroyed numerous trees, and several outbuildings were completely destroyed.  Minor roof damage occurred to numerous homes as the tornado crossed over the Westover area within the city limits of Danville.  Private property damage was assessed at about $2.2 million, while utilities and public works cleanup added another $400,000.  By 4:58 PM EST, the tornado exited the city and continued northward back into Pittsylvania County.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKBRIDGE, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 17:54:00 to 15-APR-18 17:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: BUFFALO FORGE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds on Tinkerville Road.

Hail in CARROLL, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 14:01:00 to 15-APR-18 14:01:00 (EST-5)
Location: FANCY GAP
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail up to the size of tennis balls fell about one mile north of Fancy Gap along the Fancy Gap Highway.

Tornado in CRAIG, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 16:03:00 to 15-APR-18 16:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARSHALLTOWN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 124.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado briefly touched down just south of Hawkins Lane and headed northward at 4:03 PM EST.  It crossed Hawkins Lane and Wild Cat Hollow Road before lifting at 4:04 PM EST.  The tornado caused considerable damage to trees, homes, and outbuildings.  Six homes had roof shingles and vinyl siding ripped off by the tornado.  Several outbuildings and garages were destroyed.  The tornado also flipped one truck upside down on to another damaged vehicle, and it also lofted small debris over 100 yards.  The estimated maximum winds were 105 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in FLOYD, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 15:09:00 to 15-APR-18 15:09:00 (EST-5)
Location: FLOYD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.20K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Several large tree limbs were blown down by thunderstorm winds.

Tornado in AMHERST, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 18:08:00 to 15-APR-18 18:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: DILLARD
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 4.30M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the third and final segment of a tornado that touched down just south of Waterlink Road near Timberlake in Campbell County at 6:00 PM EST. The tornado crossed through the independent city of Lynchburg and eventually tracked over the James River into Amherst County at 6:08 PM EST.  This was only the third EF3 tornado to occur in the NWS Blacksburg forecast since 1950, and was the longest track tornado within the state of Virginia for the NWS Blacksburg forecast area. The tornado reached its peak intensity with estimated maximum winds of 150 MPH as it crossed Route 130 and entered the town of Elon.  A total of 166 homes suffered damage, and 22 of those homes were considered a total loss.  A motor home was carried about thirty feet and tipped over.  The hardest hit locations were along Nottaway Drive and Deerfield Drive.  Seven people were injured and taken to the hospital from Elon.  As the tornado continued north-northeastward out of Elon, it snapped or uprooted hundreds of trees and caused more minor roof damage to homes.  At 6:25 PM EST, the tornado finally lifted as it began to head up Shady Mountain Ridge, which is about five and a half miles west-northwest of Amherst.

Thunderstorm Wind in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 17:35:00 to 15-APR-18 17:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRETNA
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Thunderstorm winds produced isolated pockets of damage form Burke Road to just northeast of Blue Ridge Drive, two miles northeast of Gretna. Three homes sustained significant roof damage and several outbuildings were destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARROLL, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 14:36:00 to 15-APR-18 14:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAUREL FORK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.50K
Reported by: Public

At least three trees were snapped or topped by thunderstorm winds.

Tornado in AMHERST, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 18:38:00 to 15-APR-18 18:41:00 (EST-5)
Location: LOWESVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 50.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

At 6:38 PM EST, a weak tornado touched down on the north side of Piney Mountain and just west of Indian Creek Road in a forested area about three miles west-northwest of Lowesville.  It tracked toward the northwest and lifted at 6:41 PM EST about four miles west-northwest of Lowesville.  The tornado only uprooted trees during its time on the ground.

Hail in PATRICK, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 15:02:00 to 15-APR-18 15:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: WOOLWINE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in FLOYD, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 15:09:00 to 15-APR-18 15:09:00 (EST-5)
Location: FLOYD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in FLOYD, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 15:33:00 to 15-APR-18 15:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOWERS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKBRIDGE, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 17:54:00 to 15-APR-18 17:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: GOSHEN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Two trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds on Brattons Run.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 16:35:00 to 15-APR-18 16:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROCKY MT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

At least four large trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds around Rocky Mount.

Tornado in CAMPBELL, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 17:56:00 to 15-APR-18 17:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPRING MILLS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down about five miles east-southeast of Rustburg near Carwile Road at 5:56 PM EST.  Several trees were uprooted or snapped during the first moments, but the tornado intensified along New Chapel Road.  A roof was blown off a garage, and a manufactured home was moved off its foundation.  In addition, a metal roof from a large shed was also peeled off by the tornado.  The estimated maximum winds reached 90 MPH.  By 5:59 PM EST, the tornado lifted just south of the intersection of New Chapel Road and Bethany Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 17:13:00 to 15-APR-18 17:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHATHAM
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 2.50K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Multiple trees were blown down near Halifax Road.

Tornado in LYNCHBURG (C), VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 18:03:00 to 15-APR-18 18:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: (LYH)GLENN FLD LYNCH
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 9.60M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the second segment of a tornado that touched down just south of Waterlink Road near Timberlake in Campbell County at 6:00 PM EST.  The tornado crossed Timberlake Road and entered the independent city of Lynchburg at 6:03 PM EST.  The tornado uprooted trees and caused notable damage to 332 private buildings, and 34 of those buildings were condemned due to the damage.  It also damaged numerous power lines and transformers.  Two people were injured.  At 6:07 PM EST, the tornado left the independent city of Lynchburg, crossed the James River, and continued northward into Amherst County.

Thunderstorm Wind in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 15-APR-18 17:13:00 to 15-APR-18 17:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHATHAM
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.50K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

One tree was blown down on to power lines near Woodlawn Heights Road.