A cold front moved through during the early morning hours of the 18th, with a line of showers and isolated thunderstorms racing ahead of the front. Strong winds aloft were pulled to the surface in the strongest showers, resulting in tree damage in several areas.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS RLX wrote it up.
A cold front moved through during the early morning hours of the 18th, with a line of showers and isolated thunderstorms racing ahead of the front. Strong winds aloft were pulled to the surface in the strongest showers, resulting in tree damage in several areas.
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 Dec 18, 1:30 AM EST, 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
130 AM EST Sun Dec 18 2016
.SYNOPSIS...
Strong cold front pushes through later tonight and Sunday with
heavy rain. Turning colder Sunday with rain turning over to snow
from west to east. High pressure through mid week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TODAY/...
As of 1000 PM Saturday...
Tweaked hourly grids based on latest trends. Temps are still
running very mild this evening courtesy of a very strong LLJ
keeping the atmospheric well mixed. Highs for today are still
waiting to be set in some places. Incredible for a mid December
night.
As of 700 PM Saturday...
Forecast on track this evening as we wait for the front to slip
southeast into the area. Rain...some of which is on the moderate
side...will work into the area as the night progresses. QPF
amounts generally look to run either side of an inch across a good
portion of the area...enhanced by convective elements within the
frontal band. See hydro section at bottom for info regarding the
flash flood watch. It will remain very mild in the warm sector
this evening with a good breeze to boot.
As of 230 PM Saturday...
Numerous showers and strong gusty winds are expected ahead of an
approaching cold front. The front should reach the OH river by
03-06Z. Although the high resolution models are faster with the
onset of pcpn when compared with the synoptic models, all agree in
pcpn amounts of 1 to 2 inches. It will be warm enough for all pcpn
start as liquid ahead of the front. Once the front passes, strong
cold advection is evident in model data, perhaps changing all pcpn
to all snow by Sunday morning.
Models also show 50-60 knots at H850 and 40-50 at H925. In the
warm sector, flow will be upgliding preventing a complete mix out
of winds to the surface. Therefore, not going with advisory. Expect
30-40 wind gusts at elevations greater than 2000 feet. Therefore,
issue a Wind advisory for the higher elevations from Randolph and
Pocahontas counties, south to southeast Raleigh county.
Used the blend of models for temperatures through the period.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 130 AM Sunday...
1040mb plus high pressure system will be in control through mid
week, but it will weaken with time and exit to the northeast. The
short term will be dry, with a gradually modifying airmass as
850mb temperatures come above zero and zonal flow aloft.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 130 AM Sunday...
Upper level trough/cold front arrives Thursday night in what will
be a deepening system as it moves into the area. Will need to
advect moisture into the area from the south, which will take some
time, so the highest POPs will lie over the eastern CWA. Also have
the chance for lingering upslope into Thursday night/Friday before
high pressure dries it out again heading into the holiday weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 700 PM Saturday...
A strong cold front approaches from the west this afternoon and
tonight. Models are in agreement with a strong LLJ around 75 kts
tonight...much of which will be hard pressed to mix down. As a
result LLWS was coded up at all TAF sites until the jet can
subside as the front crosses. Expect deteriorating conditions as
frontal showers move across...with IFR conditions at times. Winds
could gust to 35 kts as the front crosses overnight at the TAF
sites. Low CIGS are expected behind the front with IFR conditions
continuing for a time into the early morning hours. Conditions
gradually improve Sunday morning...though the back edge of the
precip will be changing to sleet/snow before ending from west to
east which will likely bring brief IFR conditions back into the
picture. Winds will diminish Sunday morning as the LLJ moves off
to the northeast.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY...
FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Low to medium with timing of changing
conditions.
ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing and extent of IFR or worse conditions
overnight tonight 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.
DATE SUN 12/18/16
UTC 1HRLY 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
EST 1HRLY 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12
CRW CONSISTENCY H L H L H M H M M M M M
HTS CONSISTENCY H M H L M M M H M H H M
BKW CONSISTENCY H H L H L L H M M M H L
EKN CONSISTENCY M M M M L M L M H H L L
PKB CONSISTENCY L M L M L M M M L H L L
CKB CONSISTENCY H H H L H L M M H L L L
AFTER 06Z MONDAY...
No widespread IFR conditions expected.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
As of 0530 PM Saturday...
1-3hr FFG are around an inch or less in 1 hour and 1 to 1.5 in 3
hours over the watch area. Showers and Thunderstorms associated
with a cold front to our west will move over the area overnight
tonight and continue into early Sunday morning. These storms are
capable of producing up to an inch in an hour. If this rain is
realized it could cause flooding in low lying and poor drainage
areas. Also, this rain could cause quick rises and flooding on small
streams and creeks.
&&
.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Wind Advisory until 7 AM EST this morning for WVZ516-518-520-
522>526.
Flash Flood Watch until noon EST today for WVZ010-011-019-020-
029>032-039-040-525-526.
OH...None.
KY...None.
VA...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...ARJ/MPK
NEAR TERM...ARJ/30
SHORT TERM...26
LONG TERM...26
AVIATION...30
HYDROLOGY...99HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV 527 PM EST SAT DEC 17 2016 KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>009- 013>018-024>028-033-034-515-517-519-521-182230- GREENUP-CARTER-BOYD-LAWRENCE KY-PERRY-MORGAN-ATHENS-WASHINGTON- JACKSON OH-VINTON-MEIGS-GALLIA-LAWRENCE OH-DICKENSON-BUCHANAN-WAYNE- CABELL-MASON-JACKSON WV-WOOD-LINCOLN-PUTNAM-KANAWHA-ROANE-WIRT- CALHOUN-MINGO-LOGAN-BOONE-CLAY-BRAXTON-MCDOWELL-WYOMING- NORTHWEST RALEIGH-NORTHWEST FAYETTE-NORTHWEST NICHOLAS- NORTHWEST WEBSTER- 527 PM EST SAT DEC 17 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST KENTUCKY...SOUTHEAST OHIO...SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...AND PORTIONS OF CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA...NORTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA...NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA...SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA...SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND WESTERN WEST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. WVZ516-518-520-522>524-182230- SOUTHEAST RALEIGH-SOUTHEAST FAYETTE-SOUTHEAST NICHOLAS- SOUTHEAST WEBSTER-NORTHWEST POCAHONTAS-SOUTHEAST POCAHONTAS- 527 PM EST SAT DEC 17 2016 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST 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. WIND ADVISORY. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. WIND ADVISORY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. WVZ010-011-019-020-029>032-039-040-182230- PLEASANTS-TYLER-RITCHIE-DODDRIDGE-GILMER-LEWIS-HARRISON-TAYLOR- UPSHUR-BARBOUR- 527 PM EST SAT DEC 17 2016 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA AND NORTHERN 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. FLASH FLOOD WATCH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. FLASH FLOOD WATCH. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. WVZ525-526-182230- NORTHWEST RANDOLPH-SOUTHEAST RANDOLPH- 527 PM EST SAT DEC 17 2016 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY... ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST 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. WIND ADVISORY. FLASH FLOOD WATCH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. WIND ADVISORY. FLASH FLOOD WATCH. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1248 AM EST SUN DEC 18 2016
OHZ067-075-076-085-WVZ009>011-180645-
Meigs-Washington-Morgan-Athens-Tyler-Pleasants-Wood-
1248 AM EST SUN DEC 18 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN ATHENS...
WASHINGTON...SOUTHEASTERN MORGAN...NORTHEASTERN MEIGS...NORTHERN
WOOD...PLEASANTS AND WESTERN TYLER COUNTIES...
At 1248 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located 8 miles east of
Athens, moving northeast at 55 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Parkersburg, Athens, Marietta, Belpre, St. Marys, Beverly,
Middlebourne, Coolville, Vienna, Williamstown, Sistersville, Belmont,
Boaz, Tuppers Plains, Washington, Lubeck, Newport, Matamoras, North
Hills and Lowell.
THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 174 and 186.
Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 1 and 17.
Route 50 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 12.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause elevated levels on
small creeks and streams, and ponding of water on country roads and
farmland along the banks of creeks and streams.
LAT...LON 3963 8145 3959 8135 3959 8128 3961 8127
3958 8125 3957 8104 3954 8104 3960 8096
3939 8082 3937 8090 3939 8093 3936 8094
3911 8206 3932 8209 3962 8159 3959 8159
3958 8148 3964 8147 3965 8145
TIME...MOT...LOC 0548Z 240DEG 49KT 3929 8194
21Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
134 AM EST SUN DEC 18 2016
KYZ101>103-105-OHZ087-WVZ005>007-013-014-180700-
Lawrence-Boyd-Carter-Greenup-Lawrence-Wayne-Putnam-Lincoln-Cabell-
Mason-
134 AM EST SUN DEC 18 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CARTER...BOYD...LAWRENCE...
SOUTHEASTERN GREENUP...SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE...WESTERN PUTNAM...
SOUTHWESTERN MASON...WAYNE...LINCOLN AND CABELL COUNTIES...
At 133 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Stark, or near
Grayson Lake State Park, moving northeast at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Huntington, Ashland, Grayson, Louisa, Coal Grove, Olive Hill, Wayne,
Hamlin, Chesapeake, Proctorville, Blaine, Beech Fork State Park,
Cannonsburg, Grayson Lake State Park, Yatesville Lake State Park,
Hurricane, Barboursville, Kenova, Milton and Catlettsburg.
THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 150 and 191.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 38.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3831 8333 3860 8224 3859 8220 3868 8192
3802 8199 3798 8215 3796 8254 3792 8275
3800 8294 3796 8299 3797 8302 3804 8300
3811 8289 3817 8292 3817 8298 3820 8301
3818 8305 3827 8317 3819 8323 3821 8330
TIME...MOT...LOC 0633Z 243DEG 112KT 3823 8311
21The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 90 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:43 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree fell onto a house along Route 93.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Ohio in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, December 2016
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: 662794.