Alert archive / West Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2018

Flash Flood Warning 68, NWS Charleston, WV

September 1, 2018Kanawha County, West Virginia

NWS Charleston, WV issued this flash flood warning at Sep 1, 2018, 2:27 PM EDT for Kanawha County, West Virginia. It was in force for 2 hr. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Sep 1, 2018, 2:27 PM EDT (18:27 UTC)
Expired
Sep 1, 2018, 4:41 PM EDT
In force
2 hr
Issued by
NWS Charleston, WV
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Kanawha County, WV

The radar

The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 15 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:26 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Sep 1, 3:45 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Ne Charleston, WVBARLOW DRIVE IS BEING UNDERMINED AS WATER FLOWS OFF THE HILL NEAR YEAGER AIRPORT. ALSO, PART OF I64 EAST BOUND CLOSED DUE TO STANDING WATER JUST BEFORE THE OAK HILL EXIT.
Sep 1, 4:12 PM EDTHEAVY RAIN 3.05Charleston, WV3.05 OF RAIN HAS FALLEN AT YEAGER AIRPORT OVER THE LAST 3 HOURS.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 78 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 12:00Z, 6.5 hours before the alert went out and 224 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 12:00Z on 2018-09-01Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 12:00Z on 2018-09-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 41 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1231 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
12 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
41 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
28 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

973 
WGUS51 KRLX 011827
FFWRLX
WVC039-012130-
/O.NEW.KRLX.FF.W.0068.180901T1827Z-180901T2130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
Issued by National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
227 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Central Kanawha County in central West Virginia...

* Until 530 PM EDT.

* At 226 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Up to one inch of rain has
  already fallen. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Charleston, South Charleston and Pinch. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small
creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as
well as other drainage areas and low lying spots.

Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.

Please report Severe Weather to the National Weather Service by
calling toll free, 800 401 9535, when you can do so safely.

You may also report severe weather by posting your report to the
Charleston West Virginia National Weather Service Facebook Page, or
by using the Twitter Hashtag, NWSRLX.

&&

LAT...LON 3846 8154 3838 8148 3829 8165 3837 8171

$$

kistner
3 follow-up statements
890 
WGUS71 KRLX 011910
FFSRLX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
Issued by National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
310 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

WVC039-012130-
/O.CON.KRLX.FF.W.0068.000000T0000Z-180901T2130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kanawha WV-
310 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM EDT FOR
CENTRAL KANAWHA COUNTY...

At 308 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated another round of 
thunderstorms producing heavy rain moving into the warned area. Up 
to two inches of rain have already fallen. Flash flooding is 
expected to begin shortly.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Charleston, South Charleston and Pinch. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small
creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as
well as other drainage areas and low lying spots.

Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.

Please report Severe Weather to the National Weather Service by 
calling toll free, 800 401 9535, when you can do so safely.

You may also report severe weather by posting your report to the
Charleston West Virginia National Weather Service Facebook Page, or
by using the Twitter Hashtag, NWSRLX.

&&

LAT...LON 3846 8154 3838 8148 3829 8165 3837 8171

$$

KISTNER
302 
WGUS71 KRLX 011957
FFSRLX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
Issued by National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
357 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

WVC039-012130-
/O.CON.KRLX.FF.W.0068.000000T0000Z-180901T2130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kanawha WV-
357 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM EDT FOR
CENTRAL KANAWHA COUNTY...

At 352 PM EDT, The heavy rain has moved out of the area, but streams 
may continue to rise due to water runoff.  Emergency management 
reported that water running of a hill is starting to undermine 
Barlow Drive near Yeager Airport.  Continue to use caution while 
driving and don't drive over flooded roads.   

Some locations that will experience flooding include... Charleston, 
South Charleston and Pinch. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small
creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as
well as other drainage areas and low lying spots.

Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.

Please report Severe Weather to the National Weather Service by
calling toll free, 800 401 9535, when you can do so safely.

You may also report severe weather by posting your report to the
Charleston West Virginia National Weather Service Facebook Page, or
by using the Twitter , .

&&

LAT...LON 3846 8154 3838 8148 3829 8165 3837 8171

$$

Kistner
047 
WGUS71 KRLX 012041
FFSRLX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
Issued by National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
441 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

WVC039-012050-
/O.CAN.KRLX.FF.W.0068.000000T0000Z-180901T2130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kanawha WV-
441 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR CENTRAL KANAWHA COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a 
threat. Please continue to heed any remaining road closures.

LAT...LON 3846 8154 3838 8148 3829 8165 3837 8171

$$

Kistner

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Charleston, WV wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Sep 1, 2:12 PM EDT, 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 1, 2:12 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
Issued by National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
212 PM EDT Sat Sep 1 2018

.SYNOPSIS...
Showers/thunderstorms will be possible across the region on
Labor Day Weekend with the higher elevations having the greatest
chance of receiving storms each day. Temperatures will be well
above normal for September and heat index values may reach near
100 by next week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 940 AM Saturday...

Fog that developed overnight has dissipated leaving the region
with mostly sunny skies. However, satellite imagery shows a
large area of clouds was pushing east into the area.

Radar mosaic continues to show showers and thunderstorms were
moving east across portions of Ohio and Kentucky.

Have made tweaks to sky, temps and POPS to reflect the latest
trends and guidance.

Previous Discussion...
The previous forecast remains on track. Fog has been limited to
the far northern and eastern portions of West Virginia as cloud
cover elsewhere has inhibited widespread development. Any fog
will quickly mix out after sunrise.

Warm, humid conditions are expected over labor day weekend.
Showers/Tstorms will develop in the afternoon hours as diurnal
heating destabilizes the atmosphere. A weak shortwave rotating
around the NW periphery of the Atlantic High may help initiate
some convection today. Otherwise, most activity will be confined
to the higher elevations where insolation combined with this
warm, moist boundary layer will more than suffice for tstorm
development.

Forecast soundings are rather unimpressive for organized
or severe convection. Winds will be mostly light and uniform
through the profile. Lapse rates are modest at best. Still,
lapse rates will climb to near or in excess of 1500 J/kg during
peak heating. Not much in terms of capping... so will likely see
a decent CU field with some showers or weak thunderstorms.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY/...
Convection will diminish after sunset Saturday with the loss of
heating. Broken or perhaps overcast skies will likely prevent
widespread fog formation... but like this morning, valley fog
will still be possible in the most susceptible areas.

Sunday will be similar but with a few less storms as high
pressure builds into the region. Temperatures will remain well
above seasonal both days.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
The hot, humid conditions will continue through the long term
period. Models are in good agreement that a H5 595+ dm high
pressure becomes nearly centered over the region through late
next week or just east, allowing for persistent southerly flow
in the low levels. This will keep the stream of very warm,
moist air in place. Without much in the way of upper level
forcing, convection will be mostly confined to the Allegheny
Front / other high elevations during peak heating.

Temperatures will be much above normal over the next 7 days.
Heat index values may very well reach near or above 100 outside
of the high elevations.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Scattered showers and thunderstorms with IFR conditions have
developed across the region. Outside of the precipitation, VFR
conditions prevailed.

Expect the storms will continue into the evening hours with
storms dissipating after sunset.

With light winds and few clouds, dense fog will likely develop
after midnight in the favored valley locations as well as
locations that receive rainfall today.

Any dense fog that develops overnight should dissipate after
sunrise on Sunday with VFR conditions expected region-wide.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY...

FORECAST CONFIDENCE: MODERATE

ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: The coverage and intensity of the fog may
vary.

EXPERIMENTAL TABLE OF FLIGHT CATEGORY OBJECTIVELY SHOWS
CONSISTENCY OF WFO FORECAST TO AVAILABLE MODEL INFORMATION:
H = HIGH:   TAF CONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL.
M = MEDIUM: TAF HAS VARYING LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY WITH MODELS.
L = LOW:    TAF INCONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL.

AFTER 18Z SUNDAY...
May have brief IFR in thunderstorms Sunday.

&&

.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Flash Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for WVZ522>526.
OH...None.
KY...None.
VA...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...JSH
NEAR TERM...JSH
SHORT TERM...99
LONG TERM...99
AVIATION...JSH
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 1, 1:16 PM EDT, 1 hour 11 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Charleston WV
Issued by National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
116 PM EDT Sat Sep 1 2018

KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-WVZ005>011-013>019-024>026-
021730-
Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Perry-Morgan-Athens-Washington-
Jackson OH-Vinton-Meigs-Gallia-Lawrence OH-Wayne-Cabell-Mason-
Jackson WV-Wood-Pleasants-Tyler-Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha-Roane-Wirt-
Calhoun-Ritchie-Mingo-Logan-Boone-
116 PM EDT Sat Sep 1 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast
Ohio, and portions of central West Virginia, northern West
Virginia, southern West Virginia and western West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Heat indices in the mid to upper 90s are expected Monday and Tuesday
afternoon for portions of southeast Ohio, northeast Kentucky, and
the lowlands of West Virginia.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions by calling the toll-free spotter hotline, or by other
methods detailed at www.weather.gov/rlx/reports.

VAZ003-004-WVZ020-027>034-039-040-515>521-021730-
Dickenson-Buchanan-Doddridge-Clay-Braxton-Gilmer-Lewis-Harrison-
Taylor-McDowell-Wyoming-Upshur-Barbour-Northwest Raleigh-
Southeast Raleigh-Northwest Fayette-Southeast Fayette-
Northwest Nicholas-Southeast Nicholas-Northwest Webster-
116 PM EDT Sat Sep 1 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia, and
portions of central West Virginia, northeast West Virginia,
northern West Virginia, southeast West Virginia and southern West
Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions by calling the toll-free spotter hotline, or by other
methods detailed at www.weather.gov/rlx/reports.

WVZ522>526-021730-
Southeast Webster-Northwest Pocahontas-Southeast Pocahontas-
Northwest Randolph-Southeast Randolph-
116 PM EDT Sat Sep 1 2018

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast West
Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions by calling the toll-free spotter hotline, or by other
methods detailed at www.weather.gov/rlx/reports.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 1, 12:58 PM EDT, 1 hour 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
Issued by National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1258 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

KYZ105-011730-
Lawrence-
1258 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL LAWRENCE COUNTY...

At 1258 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Charley, or
near Blaine, moving northeast at 10 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and torrential downpours are possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Gallup.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

LAT...LON 3797 8280 3805 8283 3814 8264 3798 8257
TIME...MOT...LOC 1658Z 243DEG 8KT 3802 8276

KISTNER
Special weather statement, Sep 1, 1:38 PM EDT, 49 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
Issued by National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
138 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

WVZ005-013-011815-
Lincoln-Wayne-
138 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL LINCOLN AND EAST
CENTRAL WAYNE COUNTIES...

At 138 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near East Lynn Lake,
or near Wayne, moving east at 30 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Ranger, Kiahsville, East Lynn Lake, Harts, East Lynn, Genoa and
Branchland.

LAT...LON 3815 8248 3824 8229 3823 8226 3825 8226
      3827 8222 3807 8214 3808 8245
TIME...MOT...LOC 1738Z 254DEG 27KT 3812 8244

Kistner
Special weather statement, Sep 1, 2:20 PM EDT, 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
Issued by National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
220 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

WVZ015-011900-
Kanawha-
220 PM EDT SAT SEP 1 2018

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL KANAWHA COUNTY...

At 220 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Charleston,
moving east at 10 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Charleston, Pinch, Elkview and Coal Fork.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 3832 8165 3839 8166 3849 8145 3833 8143
TIME...MOT...LOC 1820Z 253DEG 7KT 3838 8159

KISTNER

The office that day

Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 1, 12:54 PM EDTFlash Flood WatchRLXPocahontas, Randolph, Webster7 hr
Sep 1, 1:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRLXWayne37 min
Sep 1, 1:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXLincoln, Wayne47 min
Sep 1, 2:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRLXKanawha40 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in West Virginia, 2018Every flash flood warning in 2018

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.