Tropical Storm Elsa passed northward across eastern Virginia during the afternoon and evening of July 8th, 2021.  While the vast majority of heavier rainfall fell to the east of the NWS Blacksburg forecast area, a portion of the deformation zone developed over Halifax and Charlotte Counties, resulting in as much as 3.5 inches of rain during a 6-hour period, with the heaviest amounts along the eastern border of these counties.  At the time, these counties were experiencing moderate drought conditions per the United States Drought Monitor, with 90-day precipitation leading up to the event some 3 to 6 inches below normal. As such, this rainfall was seen as beneficial to the area.  Rainfall rates seldom exceeded 1 inch per hour, and no flooding was observed.

Heavy Rain in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 08-JUL-21 12:00:00 to 08-JUL-21 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HALIFAX
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal automated weather station (Weather Underground: KVAHALIF9) recorded 1.92 inches of rainfall during a 6-hour period with the passage of Tropical Storm Elsa.

Heavy Rain in CHARLOTTE, VIRGINIA
From 08-JUL-21 13:00:00 to 08-JUL-21 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: KEYSVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal automated weather station (Weather Underground: KVAKEYSV3) recorded 3.47 inches of rainfall during a 6-hour period with the passage of Tropical Storm Elsa.  This was a 10-year rainfall event per NOAA Atlas 14 Point Precipitation Frequency estimates.

Heavy Rain in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 08-JUL-21 12:00:00 to 08-JUL-21 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CENTERVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal automated weather station (Weather Underground: KVASOUTH16) recorded 1.35 inches of rainfall during a 6-hour period with the passage of Tropical Storm Elsa.

Heavy Rain in CHARLOTTE, VIRGINIA
From 08-JUL-21 12:00:00 to 08-JUL-21 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ASPENWALL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal automated weather station (Weather Underground: KVANATHA3) recorded 1.82 inches of rainfall during a 6-hour period with the passage of Tropical Storm Elsa, which is between a 2- and a 5-year rainfall event per NOAA Atlas 14 Point Precipitation Frequency estimates.

Heavy Rain in CHARLOTTE, VIRGINIA
From 08-JUL-21 12:00:00 to 08-JUL-21 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARRISBURG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal automated weather station (Weather Underground: KVARANDO2) recorded 2.28 inches of rainfall during a 6-hour period with the passage of Tropical Storm Elsa.  This was a 2-year rainfall event per NOAA Atlas 14 Point Precipitation Frequency estimates.

Heavy Rain in CHARLOTTE, VIRGINIA
From 08-JUL-21 06:00:00 to 09-JUL-21 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: FORMOSA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS observer VA-CH-1 recorded a 24-hour rainfall (ending 600 AM EST on July 9) amount of 1.97 inches associated with the passage of Tropical Storm Elsa to the east.

Heavy Rain in CHARLOTTE, VIRGINIA
From 08-JUL-21 06:00:00 to 09-JUL-21 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: RED OAK
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS observer VA-CH-4 recorded a 24-hour rainfall (ending 600 AM EST on July 9) amount of 1.60 inches associated with the passage of Tropical Storm Elsa to the east.