A strong cold front crossed the Middle Ohio River Valley and Central Appalachians on the afternoon of the 1st with showers and thunderstorms. One thunderstorm segment bowed out producing tree damage.
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.
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 strong cold front crossed the Middle Ohio River Valley and Central Appalachians on the afternoon of the 1st with showers and thunderstorms. One thunderstorm segment bowed out producing tree damage. Even outside of the thunderstorms, fast flow just above the surface resulting in gusty non-thunderstorm winds from time to time. For example, a mostly dead tree was blown down across Burnside Street in Oak Hill by one of these non-thunderstorm wind gusts.
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 1, 8:36 AM EST, 3 hours 9 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 936 AM EDT Mon May 1 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A strong cold front crosses today. Upper low with unsettled and much cooler weather to end the work week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 940 AM Monday... Tracking a cold front and associated convection across the forecast area today. Tweaked forecast to make greater mention of gusty winds and locally heavy downpours, mainly for all points east of KCRW during period of max diurnal heating this afternoon. Otherwise, no other changes for now. As of 205 AM Monday... A strong cold front will cross the CWA today. While scattered convection along the front is occurring, the front should pick up steam as it crosses into the mountains today as a result of diurnal heating aiding in convective development. We will have to watch for stronger winds in storms that develop over the eastern half of the CWA. Otherwise, overall under a highly sheared environment with a lot of potential for mixing strong winds aloft down to the surface. Hodographs indicate a favorable profile for maintaining rotating convective cells so a tornadic threat exists as well. Front seems to move through the area fairly quickly so flooding potential is low despite a juicy air mass. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... As of 330 AM Monday... High pressure should keep mainly dry weather around midweek. On the southern side of an upper level low cannot rule out a shower across the far north, however best moisture remains north. Afternoon temperatures should be running just below normal for early May, and about right on normal for overnight temps. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 330 AM Monday... Some differences remain between models, but overall it looks like we will be dealing with a pesky upper low through the entire long term period. Have highest POPs as a surface low lifts through the lower Ohio River Valley into the Great Lakes Thursday into Friday. But then still maintain chance POPs for the weekend with the upper low. Temperatures will be on the chilly side, with both GFS and ECMWF showing potential of 850mb temps dropping below 0C. Its looking very borderline...however against my better judgment did include a few snowflakes across the highest peaks. If everything continues to line up, may also have to start thinking about frost potential across the northern mountainous counties. && .AVIATION /14Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... 01Z Monday thru 00Z Tuesday... As of 850 PM Sunday... A strong cold front will move rapidly eastward across the area today with overall VFR conditions. IFR possible with front, but winds will also be strong and gusty for most of the day. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium to High. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of the front may vary by an hour or two. 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 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 EDT 1HRLY 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H M H H H H M HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H L H H H H H H M BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H M H H H M EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H M PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H L H L H H H M CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H L H H H M AFTER 12Z TUESDAY... IFR possible in showers and storms Monday afternoon. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...JW/MZ NEAR TERM...KMC/JW SHORT TERM...MZ LONG TERM...MZ AVIATION...JW
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 1244 PM EDT Mon May 1 2017 KYZ101>103-105-OHZ083-084-086-087-021645- Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Jackson OH-Vinton-Gallia-Lawrence OH- 1244 PM EDT Mon May 1 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky and portions of southeast Ohio. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. OHZ066-067-075-085-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>008-013>016-018-024>030-033-034- 039-515>526-021645- Perry-Morgan-Athens-Meigs-Dickenson-Buchanan-Wayne-Cabell-Mason- Jackson WV-Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha-Roane-Calhoun-Mingo-Logan-Boone- Clay-Braxton-Gilmer-Lewis-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- 1244 PM EDT Mon May 1 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of 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...This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible today. Strong wind gusts may also pose a threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. OHZ076-WVZ009>011-017-019-020-031-032-040-021645- Washington-Wood-Pleasants-Tyler-Wirt-Ritchie-Doddridge-Harrison- Taylor-Barbour- 1244 PM EDT Mon May 1 2017 ...TORNADO WATCH 184 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Ohio, and portions of central West Virginia and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Tornado Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1043 AM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
KYZ101>103-OHZ083-087-011515-
Boyd-Greenup-Carter-Jackson-Lawrence-
1043 AM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN BOYD...
GREENUP...CENTRAL CARTER...SOUTHWESTERN JACKSON AND WESTERN LAWRENCE
COUNTIES...
At 1043 AM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 8 miles east of Vanceburg to near Olive
Hill. Movement was northeast at 50 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Ashland, Portsmouth, Ironton, Jackson, Grayson, Coal Grove, Olive
Hill, Carter Caves State Park, New Boston, Greenup, Gesling, Greenbo
Lake, Oldtown, Naples, Load, Letitia, Franklin Furnace, Carter,
Flatwoods and Russell.
This includes Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 158 and
176.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3849 8319 3859 8307 3873 8302 3876 8289
3858 8284 3860 8274 3868 8276 3868 8270
3875 8270 3875 8266 3883 8267 3885 8267
3886 8276 3894 8275 3897 8281 3908 8268
3849 8264 3823 8310 3826 8319
TIME...MOT...LOC 1443Z 227DEG 44KT 3859 8316 3829 8314
09Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1115 AM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
KYZ101-OHZ083>087-011545-
Greenup-Jackson-Meigs-Gallia-Lawrence-Vinton-
1115 AM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN GREENUP...
NORTHWESTERN MEIGS...GALLIA...SOUTHEASTERN JACKSON...SOUTHEASTERN
VINTON AND CENTRAL LAWRENCE COUNTIES...
At 1114 AM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from South Webster to near Lake Vesuvius to
near Ironton. Movement was northeast at 55 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Ironton, Gallipolis, Oak Hill, Rio Grande, Lake Vesuvius, Gallia,
Flatwoods, Russell, Vernon, Waterloo, Raceland, Worthington,
Wurtland, Aid, Vinton, Hanging Rock, Wilkesville, Adamsville,
Dyesville and Salem Center.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3858 8279 3860 8274 3868 8276 3868 8270
3875 8270 3875 8266 3885 8265 3886 8276
3921 8227 3920 8225 3897 8216 3882 8218
3879 8222 3872 8219 3846 8280
TIME...MOT...LOC 1514Z 234DEG 46KT 3879 8274 3868 8270 3858 8271
09Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1140 AM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
OHZ066-067-075-084-011615-
Athens-Morgan-Perry-Vinton-
1140 AM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT PERRY...WESTERN
MORGAN...NORTHWESTERN ATHENS AND NORTHEASTERN VINTON COUNTIES...
At 1139 AM EDT, radar indicated gusty showers and thunderstorms were
located along a line extending from near Logan to near Mcarthur.
Movement was northeast at 55 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Nelsonville, New Lexington, Glouster, Shawnee, Lake Hope State Park,
Perry State Forest, Crooksville, Chauncey, Junction City, New
Straitsville, Corning, Buchtel, Jacksonville, Murray City, Trimble,
Zaleski, Hemlock, Rendville, Burr Oak State Park and The Plains.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3982 8217 3982 8208 3977 8208 3977 8207
3976 8193 3952 8190 3913 8242 3914 8243
3939 8247 3939 8229 3947 8228 3947 8217
3956 8216 3956 8226 3959 8226 3960 8237
3961 8238 3969 8237 3991 8216
TIME...MOT...LOC 1539Z 220DEG 49KT 3953 8245 3924 8240
09Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1158 AM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
OHZ067-075-076-085-086-011630-
Washington-Athens-Meigs-Morgan-Gallia-
1158 AM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHERN MEIGS...
NORTHEASTERN GALLIA...SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON...SOUTH CENTRAL MORGAN
AND ATHENS COUNTIES...
At 1158 AM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Albany to Rutland. Movement was
northeast at 55 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Athens, Pomeroy, Albany, Coolville, Rutland, Chesterhill, Mason,
Tuppers Plains, Middleport, Chester, Stockport, Amesville, Cheshire,
Stroud Run State Park, Darwin, Harrisonville, Bartlett and Kyger.
LAT...LON 3922 8170 3921 8173 3919 8174 3918 8176
3917 8175 3902 8199 3903 8201 3903 8203
3899 8205 3898 8208 3895 8210 3892 8215
3925 8224 3959 8179
TIME...MOT...LOC 1558Z 224DEG 47KT 3924 8216 3905 8211
09Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1212 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
OHZ066-067-075-011645-
Athens-Morgan-Perry-
1212 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN PERRY...
MORGAN AND NORTH CENTRAL ATHENS COUNTIES...
At 1212 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered 8 miles northeast
of Glouster, moving northeast at 50 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Glouster, McConnelsville, Crooksville, Malta, Corning, Jacksonville,
Trimble, Bristol, Rendville, Eagleport and Burr Oak State Park.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3977 8208 3977 8207 3975 8164 3967 8164
3939 8207 3979 8213 3982 8208
TIME...MOT...LOC 1612Z 226DEG 44KT 3961 8201
09Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1234 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
OHZ067-076-WVZ009-011700-
Washington-Morgan-Wood-
1234 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT WASHINGTON...EASTERN
MORGAN AND NORTHWESTERN WOOD COUNTIES...
At 1234 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 6 miles northwest of Beverly to near
Belpre. Movement was northeast at 55 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Parkersburg, Marietta, Belpre, Beverly, Vienna, Williamstown,
Washington, Boaz, Lubeck, North Hills, Lowell, Macksburg, Lower
Salem, Hackney, Little Hocking, Fleming, Blennerhassett and Devola.
THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 184 and 186.
Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 1 and 17.
Route 50 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 3.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3975 8164 3967 8164 3966 8159 3959 8159
3958 8148 3964 8147 3965 8145 3963 8145
3963 8142 3960 8139 3959 8135 3959 8128
3961 8128 3961 8127 3958 8127 3958 8109
3920 8169 3964 8177 3976 8166
TIME...MOT...LOC 1634Z 221DEG 48KT 3964 8170 3932 8163
09The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 64 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:55 UTC.
1 strong wind, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A mostly dead tree was blown down across Burnside Street in Oak Hill by a non-thunderstorm wind gust.
Multiple trees were blown down, which also took down several powerlines.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in West Virginia in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in West Virginia, 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: 683155, 683150.