29 June 2012 Derecho: Storm Analysis and Lessons Learned from the Devastation in Central Virginia

Early in the afternoon of June 29, 2012 a small complex of thunderstorms developed over northern Illinois. Fueled by extreme instability, which was created by record triple digit heat ahead of the storm, it strengthened into a derecho and continued on its over 600-mile long path of destruction. Our community in south-central and southwestern Virginia (Lynchburg-Roanoke market) was hit especially hard, as many were without power for an average of 7-10 days, during which time the mean high temperature was 97 degrees. We will review the synoptic and mesoscale features that contributed to the formation and strength of this derecho, as well as the way the low-warning time for the powerful winds impacted our news station and members of our community. We will also cover what different methods could have been taken to better raise awareness prior to this high-impact, low-warning time event.