Extreme Cold and Winter Weather in Ohio, February 18 to 20, 2015

Name: Extreme Cold and Winter Weather in Ohio, February 18 to 20, 2015
Start: 2015-02-18T07:00
End: 2015-02-20T11:00
Location: Ohio

February 18 to 20, 2015 · NWS RLX · 14 events in 9 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 14 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: $100,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 14

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 RLX wrote it up.

In less than a week, a second arctic front swept through southeast Ohio during the late morning hours of the 18th. Snow showers formed ahead of the front, with a few bands lingering during the afternoon in its wake. Snow accumulations of 2 to 3 inches were common in Jackson, Vinton, Athens, Perry, and Morgan Counties, with less toward the Ohio River.

Temperatures dropped into the zero to 5 below range by dawn on the 19th. Despite sunshine through icy low clouds, daytime readings only recovered into the 5 to 10 degree range. Wind chill readings of minus 10 to minus 20 were felt on the 19th.

The diminishing winds and a clear sky developed first over southern counties then moved north during the overnight hours of the 19th into the 20th. With a fresh snow pack, temperatures dropped well below zero for dawn on Friday, the 20th. The coldest official temperature in southeast Ohio was 26 degrees below zero at Waterloo of Lawrence County. Readings of minus 15 to minus 20 were more common. New Lexington had minus 17, South Point observed minus 15, Gallipolis had minus 13, and Jackson felt minus 12. Unofficially, the Athens airport near Albany had minus 20 and the Scalia Lab at Ohio University dropped to minus 18. The general public reported minus 20 in McArthur and around Kitts Hill. | |In several counties, the morning of Friday the 20th was the coldest since the cold waves of February 1996 and January 1994.

A power outage on the 20th affected about 2,000 customers in Lawrence County. It caused a pump at a water utility to fail. About 800 customers in the Proctorville and Scottown vicinity lost their water service.

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 Charleston, WV wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 18, 5:10 AM EST, 1 hour 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 18, 5:10 AM EST, 1 hour 50 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
510 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

.SYNOPSIS...
ARCTIC FRONT CROSSES TODAY. ARCTIC HIGH PRESSURE THURSDAY NIGHT INTO
FRIDAY. MILDER THIS WEEKEND BUT WITH LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE
OHIO VALLEY WITH MIXED WINTRY MIX AND RAIN. COLDER AGAIN BY MONDAY.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
ARCTIC FRONT APPROACHING OHIO BORDER WITH INDIANA AT 09Z...WITH 500
MB SHORT WAVE VORT MAX ALONG INDIANA/ILLINOIS BORDER.  BASED OUR
GRAVEYARD SHIFT FORECAST ON THE FRONT REACHING TRI STATE AROUND
15Z...THEN PASS ELKINS VCNTY AROUND 19Z.  THE THE 500 MB SHORT
WAVE...THE QUICKEST PUSH OF THE FRONT SHOULD BE THROUGH OUR SOUTHERN
COUNTIES.  SO THINK THE SNOW DURATION WILL BE LESS COMPARED TO
FURTHER NORTH.  MOST SNOW FALLS INTO THE 1 TO 3 INCH RANGE WITH
2 TO 5 INCHES IN OUR CENTRAL MOUNTAINS.  WHILE DECREASING SLIGHTLY
THE SNOW AMOUNTS IN THE SOUTH...DID INCREASE THE SNOW AMOUNTS IN
PERRY TO WASHINGTON COUNTIES OHIO THIS MORNING.  MOST 00Z MODELS AND
NEAR TERM MODELS GIVE SLIGHTLY MORE SUPPORT THERE WITH THE SHORT
WAVE. OVERALL THOUGH...THOUGHT WPC SNOW GUIDANCE WAS A BIT
STRONG/HIGH ON SNOW TOTALS IN THIS DRY AIR MASS. PRECIPITABLE WATER
ABOUT 0.25 INCH ALONG FRONT. CERTAINLY THE MAIN STORY IS NOT THE
SNOW TODAY...BUT THE UPCOMING COLD WAVE.

EXTENDED THE EXISTING ADVISORY A FEW MORE HOURS FOR SOME
COUNTIES...TO ACCOUNT FOR BANDED SNOW SHOWERS IN THE STRONG COLD AIR
ADVECTION...IN THE WAKE OF THE FROPA. FELT WE COULD STILL BE
ACCUMULATING IN OUR CENTRAL MOUNTAINS THIS EVENING...SO THE LAST OF
THE WINTER WX ADVISORY FOR SNOW ENDS AT 06Z THURSDAY IN
NICHOLAS...WEBSTER...RANDOLPH...AND POCAHONTAS COUNTIES.

850 AND 925 MB WIND FLOW NOT AS STRONG AS LAST SATURDAY'S ARCTIC
FRONT. FOR EXAMPLE...RAP MODEL HAS 850 MB WINDS NEAR 30 KNOTS.
HAVE WIND GUSTS MOSTLY 25 TO 30 KNOTS...NOT THE 35 TO 45 KNOTS WE
SAW ON SATURDAY THE 14TH.  YET...THERE ARE STILL MANY
SIMILARITIES.  THE 850 MB TEMPERATURES ARE VERY SIMILAR BY 12Z
THURSDAY COMPARED TO 12Z SUNDAY. THE COLDEST WILL BE AT OUR HIGHEST
LEVELS. HAVE SNOWSHOE AROUND MINUS 14/15F TOWARD DAWN.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
MAIN STORY FOR THE SHORT TERM PERIOD IS THE COLD. DO HAVE SOME
LINGERING SNOW SHOWERS...TAPERING OFF TO FLURRIES THURSDAY AND
THURSDAY NIGHT BUT NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS FROM THOSE.

DROPPED HIGHS ON THURSDAY FAIRLY SIGNIFICANTLY OVER PREVIOUS
FORECAST...WITH MOST PLACES IN THE LOW TO MID SINGLE DIGITS. COMBINE
THIS WITH WINDS OF 10-20KTS AND WIND CHILL VALUES STAY BELOW -10F
PRETTY MUCH THE ENTIRE DAY. SO WILL HAVE WIND CHILL HEADLINES
THROUGH THE DAY.

HIGH PRESSURE BEGINS MOVING IN FROM THE WEST THURSDAY NIGHT. THIS
WILL DO A COUPLE THINGS. FIRST...WINDS WILL BEGIN DECREASING...AND
FALL BELOW THE 5MPH CRITERIA FOR WIND CHILL HEADLINES. THIS WILL
HAPPEN FROM WEST TO EAST THROUGH THE NIGHT SO...TRIED TO REFLECT
THIS IN THE EXPIRATION TIME OF SEGMENTS OF WIND CHILL HEADLINES.
HOWEVER...THE HIGH WILL ALSO BRING DECREASING CLOUDS. THIS COMBINED
WITH DECENT SNOWPACK WILL PRODUCE IDEAL RADIATIONAL COOLING AND AIR
TEMPERATURES WILL PLUMMET. 850MB TEMPS LOOK TO DROP JUST AS COLD AS
THE LAST ARCTIC OUTBREAK...OR EVEN LOWER WITH -25C TO MAYBE EVEN
-30C ACROSS FORECAST AREA. SO WHILE WIND CHILL CRITERIA WILL NOT BE
MET DUE TO THE DECREASING WINDS...AIR TEMPERATURES WILL BE NEARLY AS
COLD AS THE WIND CHILLS WERE EARLIER IN THE NIGHT. HAVE RECORD LOWS
FORECAST AT EACH OF OUR CLIMATE SITES...A COUPLE DEGREES EITHER SIDE
OF -10F IN METRO AREAS ACROSS THE LOWLANDS. WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED
TO SEE SOME OF OUR PERSISTENTLY COLDER AREAS...LIKE NEAR OLIVE HILL
KY OR NEW LEXINGTON OH TO APPROACH -20F. IN THE MOUNTAINS...LOOKING
AT MINUS TEENS TO -20 AS WELL. WINDS WILL ACTUALLY REMAIN IN THE
MOUNTAINS A TOUCH LONGER...BEING FARTHER EAST...SO HAVE WIND CHILL
WARNINGS THROUGH THE NIGHT FOR ALL THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS...AND EVEN
INTO FRIDAY MORNING FOR THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS.

FRIDAY WILL STILL BE DOWN RIGHT COLD...BUT WITH HIGH PRESSURE IN
CONTROL...WILL SEE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE WHICH MAY HELP WARM WEARY
BONES.

CLOUDS WILL BEGIN INCREASING FROM THE SW LATER FRIDAY AS A LOW
PRESSURE SYSTEM BEGINS GAINING STRENGTH IN THE SOUTHERN PLAINS. THIS
WILL DRIVE MOISTURE INTO THE FORECAST AREA...AND HAVE PRECIPITATION
STARTING LATE FRIDAY NIGHT ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST. THIS WILL INITIALLY
BE SNOW...BUT AS TEMPERATURES ALOFT WARM...WILL START MIXING WITH
SLEET BEFORE BECOMING MOSTLY RAIN BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON...EXCEPT
SOME WINTRY MIX LINGERING ACROSS SE OHIO AND IN THE WV MOUNTAINS. IT
WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO MOISTEN UP THE LOWER ATMOSPHERE...BUT STILL
COMING UP WITH 1-2 INCHES OF SNOW/SLEET ACROSS THE COAL FIELDS AND
TRI-STATE REGION. AS THE TRANSITION HAPPENS...COULD GET A BRIEF
PERIOD OF FREEZING RAIN PRETTY MUCH ANYWHERE IN THE CWA. GROUND WILL
STILL BE VERY COLD...WITH WARM NOSE ALOFT CLIMBING ABOVE ZERO. LOW
CONFIDENCE THIS FAR OUT IN JUST HOW THE P-TYPE TRANSITION WILL PLAY
OUT...SO WILL CONTINUE MENTION IN HWO.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
RIGOROUS FCST PROCESS FOR THIS PERIOD...WHICH STARTS WITH ARCTIC
HIGH PRESSURE EXITING.  H85 TEMPERATURES SKYROCKET FROM -25C FRI
MORNING TO -12C FRI EVENING TO START THIS PERIOD...TO -2C 12Z SAT
EVENTUALLY TO 5C SUN ON 60-70 KT SW FEED.  THIS HAPPENS AS HEIGHTS
RISE DRAMATICALLY ON RAPID EXODUS OF DEEP UPPER LEVEL TROUGH...WHICH
ALSO ALLOWS LOW PRESSURE TO TRACK UP THE OHIO VALLEY.  THE GULF
ACTUALLY BECOMES WIDE OPEN ON ACCOUNT OF THE GRADIENT BETWEEN THE
ARCTIC HIGH PASSING BERMUDA AND THE LOW TRACKING UP THE OHIO VALLEY.

THIS SPELLS TWO THINGS...SNOW TO SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN CREATING
HAZARDOUS TRAVEL OVERNIGHT FRI NT INTO SAT...AND THEN POTENTIALLY
HEAVY RAINFALL SAT INTO SUN.

GIVEN THE OTHER MODELS ARE COMING IN LINE WITH THE GFS...RELIED
LARGELY ON THE GFS / WPC FOR TEMPERATURES DURING THE WEEKEND
SYSTEM...THOUGH ALSO BLENDED IN THE BIAS CORRECTED ECMWF FOR PEAK
TEMPERATURES ON SUN...AND THEN THE GFS FOR TEMPERATURES IN THE WARM
NOSE ALOFT. MIXED PRECIPITATION IS LIKELY TO HOLD ON IN THE NRN WV
MOUNTAINS EVEN INTO SUN...WHEN THE COLD FRONT ASSOCIATED WITH THE
LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM TURNS THE FLOW TO THE W AND FINALLY SCOURS OUT
THE OLD LOW LEVEL COLD AIR.  MIXED PRECIPITATION MAY ALSO HANG ON
ALONG WRN FRINGES OF THE FCST AREA IF THE SFC LOW DOES NOT TRACK TOO
FAR W OF THE OHIO RIVER.

MODELS GENERATE 1 TO 3 INCHES TOTAL LIQUID PRECIPITATION
WHICH...WITH THE SNOW COVER...DEW POINTS ABOVE FREEZING AND
WIND...COULD LEAD TO WATER ISSUES SAT NT INTO SUN.  DEW POINTS WILL
BE HIGHEST ACROSS THE S...WHERE THERE WAS THE MOST SNOW...PEAKING IN
THE 40 TO 45F RANGE SUN JUST AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT.  THIS IS WHERE
THE GFS SOLN IS THE MOST WORRISOME.  IT IS NOT ONLY THE WETTEST ONE
WITH THE 3 INCH LIQUID TOTAL...BUT IT PLACES THAT MAXIMUM TOTAL IN
AN AXIS ACROSS THE S.

THE PRECIPITATION SWITCHES BACK TO FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND THEN
SNOW IN AN ANAFRONT MANNER SUN NT...WINDING DOWN AS SNOW SHOWERS MON
INTO MON NT.  COLD HIGH PRESSURE PASSES QUICKLY OVERNIGHT MON NT.
THE GFS AND ECMWF ARE AT ODDS WITH THE SWD PROGRESS OF THE NEXT
ARCTIC FRONT TUE DAY 7...THE GFS SOLN BEING THE COLDEST.

WILL HIGHLIGHT WINTER AND WATER THREATS IN THE HWO.

HIGHS AND LOWS INCLUDING THE WEEKEND SYSTEM ARE CLOSE TO WPC.
EMPLOYED THE GFS FOR DAY 7 NT...THE LOWEST AVAILABLE GUIDANCE BUT
STILL HIGHER THAN ISC...THIS DEPENDS UPON THE TIMING AND PROGRESS OF
THAT LAST FRONT.

&&

.AVIATION /09Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
NO MAJOR CHANGES PLANNED IN THE 12Z SET OF TAFS COMPARED TO THE 06Z
RELEASE. STILL BASING FORECAST ON ARCTIC FRONT REACHING HTS VCNTY
AROUND 15Z WITH WEAK SURFACE WAVE DUE TO 500 MB SHORT WAVE. FRONT
SHOULD SWEEP THROUGH SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA A
BIT FASTER THAN THROUGH NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.  HAVE LOWEST VSBY IN
SNOW SHOWERS A FEW HOURS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT. DURATION MAY
BE SHORTER IN SOUTHERN COUNTIES AS THAT FRONT WHIPS THROUGH.

HAVE CEILINGS LOWERING AROUND 2 THSD FT AND VSBY 1 TO 3 MILES IN
SNOW SHOWERS.  FREQUENTLY OF SNOW SHOWERS DECREASING IN LOWLANDS A
FEW HOURS AFTER FROPA...BUT LINGERING LONGER THROUGH WV MOUNTAIN
COUNTIES.

WIND GUSTS 25 TO 30 KNOTS PICTURED IN WAKE OF THE FRONT FOR THE
LOWLAND...MAY 35 KNOTS AROUND MOUNTAINS.

WIND GUSTS DECREASE SLIGHTLY AFTER 00Z.

COVERAGE OF CLOUDS IN THE ARCTIC AIR IS TROUBLESOME OVERNIGHT
TONIGHT...GENERALLY THE MODELS TEND TO BE TOO PESTIMISTIC ON THEIR
LOW LEVEL MOISTURE AND CLOUD COVERAGE.  SO DESPITE LINGERING BANDED
SNOW SHOWERS TONIGHT...DO NOT PICTURE A SOLID OVERCAST.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY...

FORECAST CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM.

ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: THE COVERAGE OF SNOW SHOWERS IN QUESTION AS THE
ARCTIC AIR BECOMES ESTABLISHED 00Z TO 06Z THURSDAY.  CONDITIONS MAY
BE MORE VARIABLE THEN...INCLUDING AREAS WHERE CLOUDS GO SCATTERED IN
THE WESTERN LOWLANDS.

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.

DATE                         WED 02/18/15
UTC 1HRLY       08   09   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19
EST 1HRLY       03   04   05   06   07   08   09   10   11   12   13   14
CRW CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
HTS CONSISTENCY  H    M    M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
BKW CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
EKN CONSISTENCY  H    M    M    M    M    M    M    M    H    H    H    H
PKB CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
CKB CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H

AFTER 06Z THURSDAY...
IFR POSSIBLE IN MIXED WINTRY PRECIPITATION AND RAIN THIS WEEKEND.

&&

.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
     WVZ005>009-013-014.
     WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST FRIDAY
     FOR WVZ005>011-013>020-024>026.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING FOR WVZ010-
     011-015>020-024>036-040.
     WIND CHILL WARNING FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST FRIDAY
     FOR WVZ035>040.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 1 AM EST THURSDAY FOR WVZ037>039-
     046-047.
     WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EST FRIDAY
     FOR WVZ027>034.
     WIND CHILL WARNING FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY
     FOR WVZ046-047.
OH...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
     OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087.
     WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST FRIDAY
     FOR OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087.
KY...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
     KYZ101>103-105.
     WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST FRIDAY
     FOR KYZ101>103-105.
VA...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING FOR VAZ003-
     004.
     WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EST FRIDAY
     FOR VAZ003-004.

&&

SYNOPSIS...KTB/TRM/MZ
NEAR TERM...KTB
SHORT TERM...MZ
LONG TERM...TRM
AVIATION...KTB

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 18, 5:16 AM EST, 1 hour 44 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
516 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

WVZ015>018-024>026-191030-
KANAWHA-ROANE-WIRT-CALHOUN-MINGO-LOGAN-BOONE-
516 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST
FRIDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL WEST
VIRGINIA...NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

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

   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE OHIO VALLEY MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS IN SNOW...SLEET...AND THEN FREEZING RAIN OVERNIGHT FRIDAY
NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. RAIN AND SNOW MELT MAY CAUSE FLOODING SATURDAY
NIGHT AND SUNDAY. A SWITCH BACK TO FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND THEN
SNOW MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS AGAIN SUNDAY NIGHT INTO
MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

VAZ003-004-WVZ027-028-033-034-191030-
DICKENSON-BUCHANAN-CLAY-BRAXTON-MCDOWELL-WYOMING-
516 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EST
FRIDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...CENTRAL
WEST VIRGINIA AND SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

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

   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE OHIO VALLEY MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS IN SNOW...SLEET...AND THEN FREEZING RAIN OVERNIGHT FRIDAY
NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. RAIN AND SNOW MELT MAY CAUSE FLOODING SATURDAY
NIGHT AND SUNDAY. A SWITCH BACK TO FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND THEN
SNOW MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS AGAIN SUNDAY NIGHT INTO
MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

KYZ101>103-105-OHZ075-083>087-WVZ005>009-013-014-191030-
GREENUP-CARTER-BOYD-LAWRENCE KY-ATHENS-JACKSON OH-VINTON-MEIGS-
GALLIA-LAWRENCE OH-WAYNE-CABELL-MASON-JACKSON WV-WOOD-LINCOLN-PUTNAM-
516 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON...
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST
FRIDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST
KENTUCKY...SOUTHEAST OHIO AND MUCH OF WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

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

   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE OHIO VALLEY MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS IN SNOW...SLEET...AND THEN FREEZING RAIN OVERNIGHT FRIDAY
NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. RAIN AND SNOW MELT MAY CAUSE FLOODING SATURDAY
NIGHT AND SUNDAY. A SWITCH BACK TO FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND THEN
SNOW MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS AGAIN SUNDAY NIGHT INTO
MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

OHZ066-067-076-191030-
PERRY-MORGAN-WASHINGTON-
516 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON...
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST
FRIDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST OHIO.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

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

   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE OHIO VALLEY MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS IN SNOW...SLEET...AND THEN FREEZING RAIN OVERNIGHT FRIDAY
NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. A LONG ENOUGH PERIOD OF RAIN AND SNOW MELT MAY
LEAD TO FLOODING SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. A SWITCH BACK TO
FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND THEN SNOW MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS AGAIN SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WVZ010-011-019-020-191030-
PLEASANTS-TYLER-RITCHIE-DODDRIDGE-
516 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST
FRIDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

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

   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE OHIO VALLEY MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS IN SNOW...SLEET...AND THEN FREEZING RAIN OVERNIGHT FRIDAY
NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. A LONG ENOUGH PERIOD OF RAIN AND SNOW MELT MAY
LEAD TO FLOODING SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. A SWITCH BACK TO
FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND THEN SNOW MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS AGAIN SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WVZ039-191030-
UPSHUR-
516 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST THURSDAY...
...WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST
FRIDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   WIND CHILL WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

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

   WIND CHILL WARNING.

LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE OHIO VALLEY MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS IN SNOW...SLEET...AND THEN FREEZING RAIN OVERNIGHT FRIDAY
NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. A LONG ENOUGH PERIOD OF RAIN AND SNOW MELT MAY
LEAD TO FLOODING SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. A SWITCH BACK TO
FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND THEN SNOW MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS AGAIN SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WVZ029>032-191030-
GILMER-LEWIS-HARRISON-TAYLOR-
516 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EST
FRIDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA AND
NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

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

   WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE OHIO VALLEY MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS IN SNOW...SLEET...AND THEN FREEZING RAIN OVERNIGHT FRIDAY
NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. A LONG ENOUGH PERIOD OF RAIN AND SNOW MELT MAY
LEAD TO FLOODING SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. A SWITCH BACK TO
FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND THEN SNOW MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS AGAIN SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WVZ040-191030-
BARBOUR-
516 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...
...WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST
FRIDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   WIND CHILL WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

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

   WIND CHILL WARNING.

LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE OHIO VALLEY MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS IN SNOW...SLEET...AND THEN FREEZING RAIN OVERNIGHT FRIDAY
NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. A LONG ENOUGH PERIOD OF RAIN AND SNOW MELT MAY
LEAD TO FLOODING SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. A SWITCH BACK TO
FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND THEN SNOW MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS AGAIN SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WVZ035-036-191030-
RALEIGH-FAYETTE-
516 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...
...WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST
FRIDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   WIND CHILL WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

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

   WIND CHILL WARNING.

LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE OHIO VALLEY MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS IN SNOW...SLEET...AND THEN FREEZING RAIN SATURDAY INTO
MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WVZ037-038-191030-
NICHOLAS-WEBSTER-
516 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST THURSDAY...
...WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST
FRIDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   WIND CHILL WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

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

   WIND CHILL WARNING.

LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE OHIO VALLEY MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS IN SNOW...SLEET...AND THEN FREEZING RAIN SATURDAY INTO
MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WVZ046-047-191030-
POCAHONTAS-RANDOLPH-
516 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST THURSDAY...
...WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST
FRIDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   WIND CHILL WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

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

   WIND CHILL WARNING.

LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE OHIO VALLEY MAY CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL
CONDITIONS IN SNOW...SLEET...AND THEN FREEZING RAIN SATURDAY INTO
MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 extreme cold/wind chill, 5 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Athens

When: February 18, 7:00 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where: Athens forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.334, -82.045 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Jackson

When: February 18, 7:00 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where: Jackson forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.020, -82.618 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Morgan

When: February 18, 7:00 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where: Morgan forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.620, -81.853 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Perry

When: February 18, 7:00 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where: Perry forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.737, -82.236 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Vinton

When: February 18, 7:00 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where: Vinton forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.251, -82.485 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Athens

When: February 18, 8:00 PM EST to February 20, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Athens forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.334, -82.045 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Gallia

When: February 18, 8:00 PM EST to February 20, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Gallia forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 38.825, -82.317 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Jackson

When: February 18, 8:00 PM EST to February 20, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Jackson forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.020, -82.618 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lawrence

When: February 18, 8:00 PM EST to February 20, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Lawrence forecast zone
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 38.599, -82.537 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Meigs

When: February 18, 8:00 PM EST to February 20, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Meigs forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.082, -82.023 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Morgan

When: February 18, 8:00 PM EST to February 20, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Morgan forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.620, -81.853 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Perry

When: February 18, 8:00 PM EST to February 20, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Perry forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.737, -82.236 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Vinton

When: February 18, 8:00 PM EST to February 20, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Vinton forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.251, -82.485 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Washington

When: February 18, 8:00 PM EST to February 20, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.455, -81.495 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill: Temperatures or wind chills at or below the local warning criteria, or cold that caused deaths.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Ohio in 2015 Every state in 2015 This day in weather history Warnings in Ohio, February 2015

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: 552507, 552508, 552509, 552510, 552511, 552574, 552575, 552576, 552577, 552578, 552579, 552580, 552581, 552582.