National Weather ServiceVirginiaSevere Thunderstorm WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Virginia
The National Weather Service issued 732 severe thunderstorm warnings for Virginia in 2025 and 638 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 11th most of any state. 2026 through September: 839, 34% above the average of 625 for those months in 2008-2025. Pittsylvania was covered most often (840 times since 2008).
How many severe thunderstorm warnings does Virginia get?
Every severe thunderstorm warning that covered part of Virginia. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 839 |
| 2025 | 732 |
| 2024 | 511 |
| 2023 | 624 |
| 2022 | 733 |
| 2021 | 684 |
| 2020 | 566 |
| 2019 | 964 |
| 2018 | 471 |
| 2017 | 451 |
| 2016 | 604 |
| 2015 | 400 |
| 2014 | 435 |
| 2013 | 396 |
| 2012 | 740 |
| 2011 | 1,059 |
| 2010 | 638 |
| 2009 | 616 |
| 2008 | 859 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Virginia get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Virginia?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsylvania | 840 | 172 | September 21, 2026 |
| Fauquier | 828 | 185 | September 4, 2026 |
| Loudoun | 822 | 187 | September 4, 2026 |
| Fairfax | 748 | 159 | September 4, 2026 |
| Bedford | 688 | 122 | September 4, 2026 |
| Prince William | 682 | 139 | September 4, 2026 |
| Franklin | 646 | 111 | September 21, 2026 |
| Culpeper | 618 | 146 | September 4, 2026 |
| Halifax | 583 | 124 | September 21, 2026 |
| Campbell | 557 | 118 | September 11, 2026 |
| Henry | 545 | 123 | September 21, 2026 |
| Patrick | 527 | 109 | September 21, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest severe thunderstorm warnings for Virginia in AreaZine's record
NWS BlacksburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Caswell, Rockingham, Halifax and 2 more, NC and VA
Expired 7:15 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS MorristownWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Sullivan, Scott, Washington County and 1 more, TN and VA
Expired 7:00 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS BlacksburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Giles, Mercer, Monroe and 1 more, VA and WV
Expired 6:15 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS BlacksburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Caswell, Rockingham, Halifax and 3 more, NC and VA
Expired 6:15 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS BlacksburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Rockingham, Stokes, Franklin and 4 more, NC and VA
Expired 5:15 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS BlacksburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Tazewell, VA
Expired 4:30 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Buchanan and McDowell, VA and WV
Expired 4:30 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Buchanan and Dickenson, VA
Expired 3:45 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a severe thunderstorm warning?
A severe thunderstorm warning means a storm is producing, or is about to produce, hail one inch across or larger and/or winds of 58 mph or more. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Virginia.