Tornado Watch Issued for Central and Eastern North Carolina, Southeast Virginia Coastal Waters

Strategic Insights -

Tropical Storm Debby continues to track northeastward, bringing a risk of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms to central and eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia coastal waters. The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center issued a Tornado Watch Number 614, effective from 1245 PM EDT Thursday, August 8, 2024, until 800 PM EDT. The watch area includes approximately 80 miles east and west of a line from 50 miles northwest of Richmond, VA to 50 miles southeast of New Bern, NC.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tornado Watch Number 614 has been issued by the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center for portions of Central and Eastern North Carolina and Southeast Virginia coastal waters.
  • The watch area is approximately 80 miles east and west of a line from 50 miles northwest of Richmond, VA to 50 miles southeast of New Bern, NC.
  • Thunderstorms embedded within the outer bands of Tropical Storm Debby are expected to track northeastward across the watch area through the afternoon, posing a risk of a few tornadoes.
  • The primary threats include a couple of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 0.5 inches, extreme turbulence, and surface wind gusts to 60 knots.
  • A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500 are expected, with a mean storm motion vector of 14030.
  • Aviation Watch (SAW) product approximates the watch area, with the actual watch depicted by shaded areas.
  • A Probability of 2 or more tornadoes is Moderate (40%), and a Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes is Low (20%).
  • A Probability of 10 or more severe wind events is Low (65 knots), and the Probability of wind gusts reaching 36-55 knots is High (45%).

Statistics:

  • Height of hail surface and aloft: 0.5 inches
  • Maximum wind gusts: 60 knots
  • Mean storm motion vector: 14030
  • Number of watches issued for Tornado Watch 614: 1
  • Zones affected by the watch: Central and Eastern North Carolina, Southeast Virginia coastal waters
  • Reporting times: 1245 PM EDT (August 8, 2024), 800 PM EDT

Sources:

  • US National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center (Norman, OK, 1245 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024)
  • Tropical Storm Debby (information embedded within the text, dated 8/8/2024)
  • Note: Click for Watch Status Reports and Complete Product Text.