Showers and thunderstorms formed along a cold front which moved through northeastern Kentucky during the evening of the 19th. The storms remained below severe limits.
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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.
Showers and thunderstorms formed along a cold front which moved through northeastern Kentucky during the evening of the 19th. The storms remained below severe limits.
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 May 19, 7:12 PM EST, 48 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 812 PM EDT Fri May 19 2017 .SYNOPSIS... Cold front moves in from the west tonight, and then lifts back north, keeping area unstable this weekend. A new cold front crosses from the west Sunday night. High pressure Monday night. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 810 PM... Canceled watch 247 showers and thunderstorms move east and weaken. Severe wording removed from grids / forecast. As of 515 PM Friday Surface low pressure located just northwest of the CWA with a cold front extending south-southwestward from it, eventually tailing back to the southwest through the lower Ohio River Valley as of 5 PM. CAPE values were up around 2500 J/kg ahead of the storms but the shear was largely north of the low pressure center and most of the storms. However, 15 to 20 kts h85 flow and 25 to 30 kts mean h85-h5 flow could still support some storm organization. Adjusted PoPs, clouds and thunder to better reflect line of storms along cold front traversing east across the area overnight. Severe weather wording added where watch 247 is in effect until 11 pm over much of the middle Ohio Valley, then the intensity and coverage decrease overnight. As of 205 PM Friday... The convection that moved into the southern CWA this morning has completely disrupted the overall synoptic setup, so there is some disarray to the activity this afternoon and what is expected later tonight. Got a mesohigh developed where the decaying convection/stratiform rain shield resides from the morning activity, with a northerly moving outflow boundary sparking the next round of convection across the northern tier. This has made the warm front over the area all but impossible to locate. The cool mesohigh has either made a pocket within the warm sector that is trying to move north, or it is holding up the front. Either way, modification of what is left over of heating today could be enough to get another round of isolated convection into the evening as the synoptic flow of the warm sector gets going again. High res models indicating another wave of activity moving in from the northwest heading into early tonight, so ramp the POPs up to likely in this area. Overall the activity has remained largely below severe limits, and expect that trend to continue, although given the slight risk that was extended into the area, isolated severe cannot be ruled out. Flow aloft still remains a limiting factor here. Will need to watch the coal fields for additional rain with well over an inch falling earlier this morning. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT/... As of 230 PM Friday... Saturday night will feature a lifting warm front to the northeast. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible during this time. Any storm that does move across the area will be capable of heavy rain. Additional rain will accompany the cold front on Sunday. As the frontal system moves east, rainfall will diminish during the overnight hours Sunday. Areas that have already received heavy rainfall from Friday morning and afternoons storms should be closely monitored for potential flash flooding during this weekend. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 230 PM Friday... A period of cooler and drier air will follow the exiting cold front early Monday. However, the chances for rain return by midweek with the next frontal system. Temperatures will return to a more seasonable level during this period. && .AVIATION /23Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 810 PM Friday... Showers and thunderstorms associated with a cold front were approaching the Ohio River from the west as of 00Z. These showers and thunderstorms will likely affect HTS and PKB during the first 3 or 4 hours of the forecast, arriving by about 01Z. MVFR ceilings and MVFR to IFR visibility are possible, along with gusty winds. The showers and thunderstorms will weaken as they move east, possibly affecting CRW and CKB 03-08Z. By the time the precipitation reaches the WV mountains after 06Z, only showers with minimal aviation impacts are expected. As the cold front moves into the area, MVFR stratocu is likely overnight into Saturday morning, but not quite making it as far southeast as CRW and BKW. Also, valley fog forming overnight may become dense, depending on the rain. Conditions should improve to VFR by late Saturday morning, except MVFR stratocu may hang on at PKB into the afternoon. Also, showers and thunderstorms are likely to be around Saturday afternoon, on account of the front still being in the area, and beginning to retreat north. Light southwest flow early on, with possible strong gusts in thunderstorms over the middle Ohio Valley, will become light and variable overnight and basically remain so on Saturday. Light to moderate west flow aloft will become light west to southwest on Saturday. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Low. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Amendments likely for changing environments from thunderstorm/rain passage, and post rain nocturnal fog. 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 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 EDT 1HRLY 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H L L HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H M M BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H L L L EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H M M L L M M PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H L H M L CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H L L AFTER 00Z SUNDAY... Isolated IFR possible in fog Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights, and in showers and thunderstorms Sunday into Sunday night. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...ARJ/TRM/26 NEAR TERM...TRM/26 SHORT TERM...JB LONG TERM...JB AVIATION...TRM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 811 PM EDT Fri May 19 2017 VAZ003-004-WVZ024>026-033-034-039-515>526-210015- Dickenson-Buchanan-Mingo-Logan-Boone-McDowell-Wyoming-Upshur- Northwest Raleigh-Southeast Raleigh-Northwest Fayette- Southeast Fayette-Northwest Nicholas-Southeast Nicholas- Northwest Webster-Southeast Webster-Northwest Pocahontas- Southeast Pocahontas-Northwest Randolph-Southeast Randolph- 811 PM EDT Fri May 19 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia and much of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-WVZ005>011-013>020-027>032- 040-210015- 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-Doddridge-Clay-Braxton-Gilmer-Lewis-Harrison-Taylor- Barbour- 811 PM EDT Fri May 19 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio and much of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms on Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
715 PM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0645 PM TSTM WND DMG NEW LEXINGTON 39.71N 82.21W
05/19/2017 PERRY OH 911 CALL CENTER
TREE DOWN IN TOWN OF JUNCTION CITY BLOCKING ROADWAY
&&
EVENT NUMBER RLX1700418
SLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
715 PM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
OHZ067-075-076-192345-
Washington-Athens-Morgan-
715 PM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN
WASHINGTON...MORGAN AND NORTHERN ATHENS COUNTIES...
At 714 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 6 miles north of McConnelsville to near
Glouster. Movement was east at 40 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Marietta, Glouster, McConnelsville, Beverly, Chesterhill,
Williamstown, Malta, Lowell, Stockport, Jacksonville, Trimble,
Bristol, Macksburg, Amesville, Lower Salem, Burr Oak State Park,
Hackney, Fleming, Bartlett and Devola.
This includes Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 2 and 17.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, 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 3975 8164 3967 8164 3966 8159 3959 8159
3958 8148 3965 8147 3965 8145 3963 8145
3963 8142 3960 8139 3959 8130 3941 8144
3940 8147 3936 8154 3943 8218 3955 8207
3955 8204 3959 8204 3976 8188
TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 280DEG 37KT 3974 8180 3948 8203
17PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
716 PM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 PM TSTM WND DMG NEW LEXINGTON 39.71N 82.21W
05/19/2017 PERRY OH 911 CALL CENTER
TREE DOWN BLOCKING ROADWAY IN SHAWNEE
&&
EVENT NUMBER RLX1700419
SLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
743 PM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
KYZ101>103-OHZ086-087-WVZ005>008-014-200015-
Boyd-Greenup-Carter-Gallia-Lawrence-Jackson-Mason-Wayne-Cabell-
Putnam-
743 PM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT BOYD...SOUTHERN
GREENUP...CARTER...GALLIA...LAWRENCE...MASON...CABELL...NORTHWESTERN
PUTNAM...NORTHWESTERN WAYNE AND WEST CENTRAL JACKSON COUNTIES...
At 743 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from Rio Grande to near Ironton to near Head
of Grassy. Movement was east at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Huntington, Ashland, Ironton, Point Pleasant, Grayson, Gallipolis,
Coal Grove, Olive Hill, Rio Grande, Chesapeake, Proctorville,
Cannonsburg, Lake Vesuvius, Carter Caves State Park, Barboursville,
Kenova, Milton, Catlettsburg, Ceredo and Buffalo.
THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 155 and 191.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 26.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3834 8323 3843 8323 3845 8321 3854 8278
3893 8236 3881 8174 3837 8222 3822 8298
3833 8326
TIME...MOT...LOC 2343Z 290DEG 33KT 3886 8238 3853 8274 3841 8332
17Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
817 PM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
KYZ102-105-200045-
Carter-Lawrence-
817 PM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN LAWRENCE AND CARTER
COUNTIES...
At 817 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Head of Grassy,
or near Olive Hill, moving east at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Grayson, Olive Hill, Grayson Lake State Park, Carter Caves State
Park, Webbville, Denton, Rush, Grahn, Willard, Hitchins, Houckville,
Soldier and Globe.
This includes Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 149 and
177.
LAT...LON 3834 8323 3842 8323 3836 8277 3824 8279
3823 8276 3807 8280 3809 8291 3812 8289
3817 8292 3817 8298 3820 8301 3820 8304
3818 8305 3823 8309 3827 8317 3823 8322
3819 8323 3819 8326 3821 8330 3832 8334
TIME...MOT...LOC 0017Z 286DEG 25KT 3833 8329
17Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
822 PM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
KYZ103-105-WVZ005>008-013>016-026-200115-
Boyd-Lawrence-Jackson-Roane-Boone-Mason-Kanawha-Lincoln-Wayne-Cabell-
Putnam-
822 PM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN BOYD...
NORTH CENTRAL LAWRENCE...CENTRAL MASON...CABELL...NORTHERN KANAWHA...
PUTNAM...LINCOLN...SOUTHWESTERN ROANE...NORTHERN WAYNE...SOUTHERN
JACKSON AND NORTHWESTERN BOONE COUNTIES...
At 821 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 9 miles south of Racine to 6 miles north
of Ona to Barboursville to Durbin. Movement was east at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Charleston, Huntington, Nitro, Ripley, Winfield, Wayne, Hamlin, Beech
Fork State Park, Jefferson, South Charleston, St. Albans, Dunbar,
Hurricane, Barboursville, Sissonville, Milton, Eleanor, Buffalo,
Clendenin and Poca.
THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
Interstate 79 between mile markers 1 and 24.
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 96 and 139.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 11 and 57.
West Virginia Turnpike near mile marker 95.
Route 119 between mile markers 56 and 80.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3826 8279 3840 8240 3844 8233 3888 8196
3876 8124 3852 8129 3841 8140 3804 8198
TIME...MOT...LOC 0021Z 268DEG 35KT 3883 8195 3852 8222 3841 8233 3829
8263
14The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 87 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:58 UTC.
1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
A house was struck by lighting, causing a fire to start inside one of the walls. One room sustained damage.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, May 2017
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: 688575.