Thunderstorms
A thunderstorm is a storm that contains both thunder and lightning. They can produce flash flooding, gusty winds, hail, and even tornadoes. The southern part of the United States has the highest number of average annual thunderstorms, especially those states located near the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.
Source: Southern Region Headquarters | NWS | NOAA
Virginia typically sees between 30 and 50 thunderstorms a year, depending on the location within the state. Most of the thunderstorm activity is observed during the summer months.
Did You Know?
The largest hailstone recorded in the state of Virginia had a diameter of 5.00", or roughly the size of a CD/DVD. There are only two reports of hailstones this size across the state, both in the same year; one in April 1968 (Lee County) and July 1968 (Loudoun County).