Hail and Damaging Winds in West Virginia, July 15, 2016

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in West Virginia, July 15, 2016
Start: 2016-07-15T17:09
End: 2016-07-15T18:39
Location: West Virginia

July 15, 2016 · NWS RLX · 5 events in 5 counties and zones

Thunderstorms formed ahead of a cold front moving through central Ohio during the peak heating of the afternoon. Mixing layer cape values across southeast Ohio and north central WV were in the 1500j/kg range, with 20 to 30 knots of shear.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 5

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.

Initially, the cells were fairly discrete. They developed rapidly and large hail was reported. The storms eventually formed a squall line, with some pulses and bowing structures from time to time. The gust front out ran the convective line and it began to break apart during the mid to late evening, just south of the Ohio River in West Virginia.

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 Jul 15, 2:00 PM EST, 3 hours 9 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 15, 2:00 PM EST, 3 hours 9 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
300 PM EDT FRI JUL 15 2016

.SYNOPSIS...
Weakening cold front tonight into Saturday. High pressure
Saturday night into Sunday night. Trough aloft/cold front Tuesday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Latest satellite imagery and surface observations indicates that
the stratus is slowly lifting and dissipating. In addition...radar
mosaic indicates some light showers/sprinkles continue across the
mountain counties...while a few showers have begun to develop
across Ohio...just west of our forecast area.

The showers to our west were developing along a weak cold front
which is pushing east. There is quite a gradient in low-level
moisture along this boundary as well. Dewpoint temperatures were
generally near 70 across southeast Ohio...east of the boundary...
with values quickly dropping off into the 60s and even 50s behind
it.

the front and associated showers/storms should push across the
area through tonight. Expect the stratus will continue to
dissipate today. However...stratus could reform again tonight.

Cold front should be located near or just southeast of our
mountain counties early Saturday...with drier and somewhat cooler
air filtering in. However...combination of daytime heating and
remaining low-level moisture could result in the development of
showers and storms...mainly across the mountain counties.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
Aside form lingering activity in the southern mountain areas
Saturday night...the short term forecast brings another short lived
drying period for the Middle Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians.
Lose the bulk of the moisture above around 800mb during this time
frame. Awaiting the arrival of the next cold front beyond Monday.
Temperatures will slowly creep upwards as temperatures hover around
the 20C mark each day...but the saturated ground will keep
temperatures in the upper 80s for the lowlands. A bigger story may
be the dewpoints Sunday which should not get higher than the lower
60s for the bulk of the CWA.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Seeing an overall trend of drying out beyond the Cold front/trough
axis aloft in the Monday night/Tuesday front end of the long term
forecast period. Largely a dry forecast beyond with the
amplification of the upper level ridge building over the Southern
Plains. Expecting a heat wave over that part of the country that
will eventually leak its way over into the Ohio Valley with 500mb
heights in the 594dkm range...but this should be a slowly evolving
scenario. No out of the ordinary heat in the forecast for our area
as of yet. ECMWF hints at the ridge retrograding westward beyond day
7.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Status has been slow to lift and dissipate. However...expect vfr
conditions should prevail by 20Z across the entire area.

Isold showers and thunderstorms will develop again...particularly
after 20Z...with brief mvfr/ifr conditions as a cold front
approaches the region. After 03Z...widespread mvfr/isold ifr cigs
and vsbys expected to develop again.

After 13Z...conditions should improve with VFR conditions expected
across most of the region.

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

FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium.

ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Development of low ceilings and fog tonight
uncertain.

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.

UTC 1HRLY       18   19   20   21   22   23   00   01   02   03   04   05
EDT 1HRLY       14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   00   01
CRW CONSISTENCY  M    M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
HTS CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
BKW CONSISTENCY  M    M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
EKN CONSISTENCY  M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
PKB CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    M
CKB CONSISTENCY  M    H    H    H    H    H    M    H    H    H    H    H

AFTER 18Z SATURDAY...
IFR fog possible Sunday morning.

&&

.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...None.
OH...None.
KY...None.
VA...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...JSH/26
NEAR TERM...JSH
SHORT TERM...26
LONG TERM...26
AVIATION...JSH

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 15, 3:26 AM EST, 13 hours 43 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
426 AM EDT FRI JUL 15 2016

KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>011-
013>020-024>040-046-047-160830-
GREENUP-CARTER-BOYD-LAWRENCE KY-PERRY-MORGAN-ATHENS-WASHINGTON-
JACKSON OH-VINTON-MEIGS-GALLIA-LAWRENCE OH-DICKENSON-BUCHANAN-WAYNE-
CABELL-MASON-JACKSON WV-WOOD-PLEASANTS-TYLER-LINCOLN-PUTNAM-KANAWHA-
ROANE-WIRT-CALHOUN-RITCHIE-DODDRIDGE-MINGO-LOGAN-BOONE-CLAY-BRAXTON-
GILMER-LEWIS-HARRISON-TAYLOR-MCDOWELL-WYOMING-RALEIGH-FAYETTE-
NICHOLAS-WEBSTER-UPSHUR-BARBOUR-POCAHONTAS-RANDOLPH-
426 AM EDT FRI JUL 15 2016

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 15, 3:39 PM EST, 1 hour 30 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
439 PM EDT FRI JUL 15 2016

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

0438 PM     HAIL             3 N REINERSVILLE        39.73N  81.65W
07/15/2016  E1.50 INCH       MORGAN             OH   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SPOTTER REPORTS QUARTER TO PING PONG BALL SIZED HAIL
            AND CRACKED WINDSHIELD JUST WEST OF THE NOBLE-MORGAN
            COUNTY LINE ON ROUTE 78.

&&

EVENT NUMBER RLX1601258

MAC

Local storm report, Jul 15, 3:42 PM EST, 1 hour 27 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
442 PM EDT FRI JUL 15 2016

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

0438 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 N REINERSVILLE        39.73N  81.66W
07/15/2016                   MORGAN             OH   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TREES DOWN ON ROUTE 78 JUST WEST OF THE NOBLE-MORGAN
            COUNTY LINE.

&&

EVENT NUMBER RLX1601259

MAC

Special weather statement, Jul 15, 3:49 PM EST, 1 hour 20 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
449 PM EDT FRI JUL 15 2016

OHZ066-067-152130-
MORGAN-PERRY-
449 PM EDT FRI JUL 15 2016

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN MORGAN COUNTY...

AT 448 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 9 MILES WEST OF
MCCONNELSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND NICKEL SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
MCCONNELSVILLE...MALTA AND EAGLEPORT.

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 3976 8183 3976 8180 3960 8181 3964 8210
      3971 8211 3975 8186
TIME...MOT...LOC 2048Z 275DEG 17KT 3968 8201

08

Special weather statement, Jul 15, 5:06 PM EST, 3 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
606 PM EDT FRI JUL 15 2016

WVZ011-020-152300-
TYLER-DODDRIDGE-
606 PM EDT FRI JUL 15 2016

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN DODDRIDGE AND
NORTHERN TYLER COUNTIES...

AT 606 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER
MIDDLEBOURNE... MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND PEA SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
MIDDLEBOURNE...PADEN CITY...LIMA AND CENTER POINT.

LAT...LON 3958 8089 3960 8085 3956 8082 3955 8079
      3954 8078 3951 8074 3947 8071 3948 8067
      3946 8067 3947 8064 3944 8060 3945 8058
      3943 8058 3943 8055 3942 8054 3940 8055
      3936 8053 3949 8102 3959 8097 3961 8094
TIME...MOT...LOC 2206Z 277DEG 20KT 3952 8088

08

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 130 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:09 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Tyler

When: July 15, 5:09 PM EST
Where: Tyler County, 0.87 mi SW of Middlebourne
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 39.490, -80.910

Thunderstorm Wind, Wood

When: July 15, 6:06 PM EST
Where: Wood County, 1.75 mi ESE of Parkersburg
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.260, -81.520

Power lines were down from fallen tree branches. A transformer blew out during the storm.

Thunderstorm Wind, Taylor

When: July 15, 6:13 PM EST
Where: Taylor County, 2.33 mi NNW of Hepzibah
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 39.380, -80.190

Trees fell in Boothville. One large tree was uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harrison

When: July 15, 6:32 PM EST
Where: Harrison County, 1.48 mi NNE of Maple Lake
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 39.320, -80.210

Two large trees over a foot in diameter fell in Corbin Branch.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mason

When: July 15, 6:39 PM EST
Where: Mason County, 0.54 mi W of Point Pleasant
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 38.850, -82.130

Three trees fell in Point Pleasant.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in West Virginia in 2016 Every state in 2016 This day in weather history Warnings in West Virginia, July 2016

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: 635976, 635977, 635980, 635979, 635978.