Damaging Winds and Strong Wind in West Virginia, December 22, 2013

Name: Damaging Winds and Strong Wind in West Virginia, December 22, 2013
Start: 2013-12-22T02:28
End: 2013-12-22T03:50
Location: West Virginia

December 22, 2013 · NWS PBZ · 4 events in 3 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $2,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 4

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS PBZ wrote it up.

A low pressure system moving towards the Great Lakes helped to push a strong cold front across the Ohio Valley in the early morning hours of the 22nd. A shallow convective line of thunderstorms developed along the front, providing for some strong to severe wind gusts. Damage was reported in several locations across eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, western Pennsylvania, and Garrett county Maryland.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 22, 1:40 AM EST, 48 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 22, 1:40 AM EST, 48 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
140 AM EST SUN DEC 22 2013

.SYNOPSIS...
PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT WILL SPREAD MORE RAIN OVER THE REGION THIS
MORNING AND BRING A RETURN OF MORE SEASONABLE WEATHER.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TODAY/...
UPDATE ISSUED FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH WHICH WILL CONSIST OF
SHALLOW CONVECTION WITH DAMAGING WIND GUSTS.

RAPIDLY PROGRESSING LOW PRES WL MOVE OVR THE GREAT LAKES THIS MRNG
AND DRAG THE RAIN FOCUSING FRONT ACRS THE UPR OHIO REGION. ONLY
CHANGES NEEDED TO THE FORECAST WERE TWEAKS TO TIMING AND WINDS.

THE FLOOD WATCH CONTS...AND SHALLOW CONVECTION WL CONT TO BE
MONITORED FOR GUSTS.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
COLD FRONT WILL BE EAST OF OUR AREA BY TNGT AND PCPN CHCS WL
RAPIDLY DIMINISH. THE NXT CONCERN WL BE DEEP MID TROF AND
ASSOCIATED COLD POOL PROGGED FOR A MONDAY NGT ENCROACHMENT...AND
TUES PASSAGE OVR THE REGION.

SNOW SHWR CHCS WL THUS BE ON THE INCRS...WITH BTR CHC ON TUE WITH
PASSAGE OF THE TROF AXIS...AND IN THE COLD FLOW IN ITS WAKE.
PROGRESSION OF THE SHRTWV AND RAPID SBSDNC ONSET SHOULD DROP
INVERSION AND LIMIT ACCUMULATION POTENTIAL...BUT ANY SNOW THAT
DOES ACCUMULATE...ESPECIALLY FM PIT N AND EWD...WL STAY FOR
CHRISTMAS GIVEN THE COLD TEMPS.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
BLDG HIGH PRES SHOULD END ANY SNOW SHWRS TUE EVE...WITH DRY
WEATHER CONTG WED. A WK CLIPPER IS PROGGED FOR THU...THOUGH TIMING
AND STRENGTH DIFFERENCES IN THE MDLS PRECLUDE MORE THAN A SLGT CHC
MENTION FOR SNOW SHWRS ATTM. BLDG HIGH PRES IS EXPD AGAIN BY THE
END OF THE WK. OVERALL...TEMPS SHOULD AVG BLO SEASONAL LVLS THRU
THE PD.

&&

.AVIATION /07Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
CONDS WL DETERIORATE TO MVFR AND OCNL IFR AS GUSTY SHWRS
ASSOCIATED WITH A CDFNT MOVE ACRS THE RGN. A LLVL JET WL MAINTAIN
THE LLVL WND SHEAR THREAT INTO SUN MRNG AS WELL. AFT FROPA EXP
MVFR CIGS TO LINGER INTO SUN BEFORE SOME IMPROVEMENT TO LOW END
VFR. GUSTY SW WNDS WL DVLP AFT FROPA BEFORE DCRG TWD EVE.

.OUTLOOK.../MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
OCNL RSTRNS ARE PSBL THRU TUEN ESP N OF PIT AS AN UPR LVL TROF
MOVES ACRS THE GT LKS.

&&

.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...NONE.
OH...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON FOR OHZ039>041-048-057.
PA...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON FOR PAZ007>009-013.
WV...NONE.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 22, 1:40 AM EST, 48 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
140 AM EST SUN DEC 22 2013

OHZ039>041-048-057-PAZ007>009-013-230645-
TUSCARAWAS-CARROLL-COLUMBIANA-COSHOCTON-MUSKINGUM-MERCER-VENANGO-
FOREST-LAWRENCE-
140 AM EST SUN DEC 22 2013

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON...
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 589 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST THIS
MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL OHIO...NORTHWEST
PENNSYLVANIA AND WEST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH.
   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 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 ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

MDZ001-OHZ049-050-058-059-068-069-PAZ014>016-020>023-029-031-073>076-
WVZ001>004-012-021>023-041-230645-
GARRETT-HARRISON-JEFFERSON OH-GUERNSEY-BELMONT-NOBLE-MONROE-BUTLER-
CLARION-JEFFERSON PA-BEAVER-ALLEGHENY-ARMSTRONG-INDIANA-WASHINGTON-
GREENE-WESTMORELAND-WESTMORELAND RIDGES-FAYETTE-FAYETTE RIDGES-
HANCOCK-BROOKE-OHIO-MARSHALL-WETZEL-MARION-MONONGALIA-PRESTON-TUCKER-
140 AM EST SUN DEC 22 2013

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 589 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST THIS
MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WESTERN MARYLAND...EAST
CENTRAL OHIO...SOUTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA...WEST CENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA...NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND NORTHERN PANHANDLE OF
WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 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 ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Dec 21, 9:47 PM EST, 4 hours 41 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
947 PM EST SAT DEC 21 2013

PAZ013-220345-
LAWRENCE PA-
947 PM EST SAT DEC 21 2013

...HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT LAWRENCE COUNTY...

AT 937 PM EST...HEAVY RAIN WAS LOCATED SOUTHEAST OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.
RECENT RAINFALL HAS RESULTED IN WATER COVERING STOUGHTON ROAD IN
SCOTT TOWNSHIP. NO OTHER FLOODING WAS REPORTED BUT HEAVY RAIN WILL
POND WATER ON ROADS AND QUICKLY FILL SMALL STREAMS AS THE BATCH OF
HEAVY RAIN MOVES THROUGH THE AREA.

  LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  PULASKI...            NEW WILMINGTON...     BESSEMER...
  NEW CASTLE...         HARLANSBURG...        ELLWOOD CITY...
  MCCONNELLS MILL...

PLEASE REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER BY CALLING...412-262-1988...POSTING
TO THE NWS PITTSBURGH FACEBOOK PAGE...OR USING TWITTER
@NWSPITTSBURGH.

LAT...LON 4112 8025 4112 8015 4107 8010 4100 8017
      4085 8016 4085 8052 4113 8052 4113 8026

Special weather statement, Dec 22, 1:05 AM EST, 1 hour 23 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
105 AM EST SUN DEC 22 2013

OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-220700-
BELMONT OH-CARROLL OH-COLUMBIANA OH-COSHOCTON OH-GUERNSEY OH-
HARRISON OH-JEFFERSON OH-MONROE OH-MUSKINGUM OH-NOBLE OH-
TUSCARAWAS OH-
105 AM EST SUN DEC 22 2013

...SHOWERS WITH STRONG WIND GUSTS WILL AFFECT THE REGION...

AT 101 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR IN PITTSBURGH
SHOWED SHOWERS WITH STRONG WIND GUSTS ALONG A LINE FROM 7 MILES
NORTH OF WALHONDING TO 20 MILES SOUTH OF NEW LEXINGTON...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE SHOWERS.

  LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  WALHONDING...         NEW GUILFORD...       NELLIE...
  DILLON STATE PARK...  COOPERDALE...         EAST FULTONHAM...
  WARSAW...             LAYLAND...            BLISSFIELD...
  ZANESVILLE...         DRAKE...              CANNELVILLE...

PLEASE REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER BY CALLING...412-262-1988...POSTING
TO THE NWS PITTSBURGH FACEBOOK PAGE...OR USING TWITTER
@NWSPITTSBURGH.

LAT...LON 4001 8220 4045 8219 4045 8168 4064 8167
      4066 8125 4073 8123 4074 8109 4091 8108
      4091 8091 4093 8085 4093 8084 3981 8105
      3961 8159 3967 8165 3975 8165 3976 8207
      3981 8209 3981 8217 3990 8217 3992 8224

07

Local storm report, Dec 22, 1:36 AM EST, 52 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
136 AM EST SUN DEC 22 2013

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0136 AM     TSTM WND DMG     ZANESVILLE              39.95N  82.01W
12/22/2013                   MUSKINGUM          OH   PUBLIC

            SHINGLES BLOWN OFF ROOF AND CHIMNEY BLOWN DOWN.

&&

EVENT NUMBER PBZ1303636

07

Local storm report, Dec 22, 1:52 AM EST, 36 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
152 AM EST SUN DEC 22 2013

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0151 AM     TSTM WND DMG     CAMBRIDGE               40.02N  81.59W
12/22/2013                   GUERNSEY           OH   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN...SCATTERED AROUND COUNTY

&&

EVENT NUMBER PBZ1303637

15

Local storm report, Dec 22, 2:06 AM EST, 22 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
206 AM EST SUN DEC 22 2013

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0205 AM     TSTM WND DMG     TUSCARAWAS              40.40N  81.40W
12/22/2013                   TUSCARAWAS         OH   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            SCATTERED TREES DOWN...INCLUDING 5 LARGE ONES

&&

EVENT NUMBER PBZ1303638

15

Local storm report, Dec 22, 2:18 AM EST, 10 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
218 AM EST SUN DEC 22 2013

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0217 AM     TSTM WND DMG     BELMONT                 40.03N  81.04W
12/22/2013                   BELMONT            OH   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN AROUND COUNTY. TRAMPOLENE LAUNCHED.

&&

EVENT NUMBER PBZ1303639

15

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 44 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:26 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Brooke

When: December 22, 2:28 AM EST
Where: Brooke County, Wellsburg
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.270, -80.600

The public reported trees down throughout the county.

Strong Wind, Brooke

When: December 22, 2:37 AM EST
Where: Brooke forecast zone
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 40.274, -80.576 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Ohio

When: December 22, 2:42 AM EST
Where: Ohio County, Wheeling
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 40.070, -80.720

Local fire department reported scattered trees down around the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tucker

When: December 22, 3:50 AM EST
Where: Tucker County, 4 mi NNE of Hambleton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.133, -79.322

Local 911 center reported trees down on Sugarland Road.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in West Virginia in 2013 Every state in 2013 This day in weather history Warnings in West Virginia, December 2013

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 489116, 489114, 489115, 489117.