Showers and thunderstorms developed on the afternoon of the 10th as a front moved through. One of these storms became rather strong, producing some isolated wind damage.
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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 developed on the afternoon of the 10th as a front moved through. One of these storms became rather strong, producing some isolated wind damage.
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 10, 12:38 PM EST, 32 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 138 PM EDT Thu May 10 2018 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front crosses this afternoon. A warm front crosses Friday. Very warm weekend on tap. Continued warm but trending towards unsettled for next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 1225 PM Thursday... Adjusted hourly PoPs and temperatures to match latest sfc obs and radar images. Rest of forecast remains on track. As of 710 AM Thursday... First line of thunderstorms exiting the mountains early this morning. Second line was scattering out and weakening as it crossed the Ohio River. As of 500 AM Thursday... A line segment of thunderstorms forming over southern WV overnight, associated with negative h85-h7 theta e lapse rates, will traverse the central mountains of WV early this morning. Meanwhile, two lines of showers and thunderstorms just ahead of a cold front were beginning to break up as they pushed into the middle Ohio Valley early this morning. These showers and thunderstorms will become scattered as they cross the area this morning. The thunderstorms were ordinary pulse in nature so far, but instability is progged to increase briefly with the eastern set of storms this morning, so, given modest bulk shear, they may briefly intensify, before moving out of the area. Additional showers and thunderstorms may fire up over the central Appalachians this afternoon, before the front crosses. A relative stable layer h7-h5 with low lapse rates, again with modest shear, is likely to limit the strength of these storms. However, low level moisture is progged to preclude CIN, and CAPE values are forecast to exceed 1500 J/Kg. While the shear is modest, near 30 kts, 30 to 40 kts of mid level flow could lead to upscale growth per SWODY1, which paints a marginal risk for severe weather over eastern portions of the forecast area. With the front east of the area, so will be the convection by this evening. Clear and calm conditions may allow valley fog to form, especially in areas where it rains tonight. However, a warm front approaching from the west, with its associated theta e feed, could lead to spring early morning convection in the middle Ohio Valley toward dawn friday. Raised highs a bit today per MET guidance in the well mixed air, and some sunshine between the storms. Lows tonight were also raised a bit as clouds increase late. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 255 AM Thursday... The bulk of the operational models are keeping convective chances out of the western CWA with the warm front/warm advection scenario at 12Z Friday, but do not feel comfortable with a no weather population in the grids. Added the slight chance POPs, but am not going with thunder for the first couple of hours in the short term forecast. The warm front lifts north, consistent with past model solutions for the most part, and will keep the warm advection convection in the mix through Saturday, before the frontal boundary sinks back southward into our area. This is a bit of a dicey proposition, however, because the operational NAM is very dry in the lower/mid levels layer. This viewpoint is not shared by the SREF or longer ranged operational models, and these solutions have been favored. Still going very warm in southwesterly flow for Friday and Saturday. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 255 AM Thursday... Models are painting a consistently unsettled period in the long term given very little synoptic scale wholesale pattern changes. Frontal boundary sinks back southward into the central Appalachians, and then shows signs of oscillation north and south through the middle of next week. This sets up chances for showers and thunderstorms each day, especially with numerous upper level waves in what will trend to be generally zonal flow aloft through the period. && .AVIATION /17Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 138 PM Thursday... Cold front crossing WV this afternoon producing isolated showers and thunderstorms along the eastern mountains. Brief periods of IFR visibilities possible along the heavier showers. Additional isolated convection is evident in radar images along the OH River. This convection could produce brief periods of IFR conditions as well as wind gusts up to 32 knots along their path. VFR conditions expected around sunset through at least midnight. After 06Z, conditions are ideal for fog development over river valleys and areas that received rain. Coded IFR conditions accordingly. Any fog may start to thin out across the middle Ohio Valley before dawn, as more clouds roll, in, from a warm front that may produce showers and thunderstorms near and beyond 12Z Friday. Southwest surface flow will switch to the west as the cold front crosses this afternoon, and then become light west tonight. Moderate to strong west to southwest flow aloft through today will become moderate northwest behind the cold front tonight. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium on timing and extent of showers today and fog tonight. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Direct impacts of showers and thunderstorms on the terminals may vary. Gusty winds will vary. Fog formation 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. UTC 1HRLY 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 EDT 1HRLY 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H M M M HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H M M M BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H M M M EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H M M M PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H M M M CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H M M M AFTER 18Z FRIDAY... IFR possible in stratus early Sunday morning across east central Ohio and far northern WV, behind a brief frontal incursion from the north. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...TRM/26 NEAR TERM...ARJ/TRM SHORT TERM...26 LONG TERM...26 AVIATION...ARJ
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 539 AM EDT Thu May 10 2018 VAZ003-004-WVZ020-027>034-039-040-515>526-110945- Dickenson-Buchanan-Doddridge-Clay-Braxton-Gilmer-Lewis-Harrison- Taylor-McDowell-Wyoming-Upshur-Barbour-Northwest Raleigh- Southeast Raleigh-Northwest Fayette-Southeast Fayette- Northwest Nicholas-Southeast Nicholas-Northwest Webster- Southeast Webster-Northwest Pocahontas-Southeast Pocahontas- Northwest Randolph-Southeast Randolph- 539 AM EDT Thu May 10 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia, the West Virginia mountains, the northern lowlands of West Virginia, and portions of the central lowlands of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms could produce strong wind gusts and hail, mainly this afternoon. There is a marginal risk for severe weather. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions by calling the toll-free spotter hotline, or by other methods detailed at www.weather.gov/rlx/reports. KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-WVZ005>011-013>019-024>026- 110945- 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-Mingo-Logan-Boone- 539 AM EDT Thu May 10 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, the southern and western lowlands of West Virginia, and portions of the central lowlands of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. TRM
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
136 PM EDT THU MAY 10 2018
WVZ010-011-019-020-101800-
Doddridge-Ritchie-Pleasants-Tyler-
136 PM EDT THU MAY 10 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PLEASANTS...NORTHERN RITCHIE...
NORTHWESTERN DODDRIDGE AND TYLER COUNTIES...
At 135 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over St. Marys,
moving east at 50 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
St. Marys, Middlebourne, Belmont, West Union, Alma, Maxwell, Schultz,
Arvilla, Point Lookout, Wick, Mountain, Lima, Hebron, Canton and
Highland.
This includes Route 50 in West Virginia between mile markers 54 and
55.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, 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.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 3954 8078 3951 8074 3949 8074 3949 8072
3948 8072 3947 8070 3929 8067 3930 8125
3939 8126 3939 8122 3943 8118
TIME...MOT...LOC 1735Z 260DEG 42KT 3937 8116
KISTNERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
148 PM EDT THU MAY 10 2018
VAZ004-101815-
Buchanan-
148 PM EDT THU MAY 10 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN BUCHANAN COUNTY...
At 147 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Glen Burke, or
8 miles northwest of Richlands, moving east at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and dime size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Oakwood.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, 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.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 3710 8204 3719 8202 3720 8178 3719 8180
3717 8187 3715 8188 3715 8190 3713 8192
3713 8196 3712 8197 3713 8199 3710 8202
TIME...MOT...LOC 1747Z 262DEG 30KT 3714 8194
KISTNERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
200 PM EDT THU MAY 10 2018
WVZ010-011-019-020-101830-
Doddridge-Ritchie-Pleasants-Tyler-
200 PM EDT THU MAY 10 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL PLEASANTS...
NORTHEASTERN RITCHIE...NORTHERN DODDRIDGE AND SOUTHERN TYLER
COUNTIES...
At 200 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Pennsboro, or 9
miles northeast of Harrisville, moving east at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Pennsboro, West Union, Alma, Smithburg, Wick, Mountain, Lima, Hebron,
Center Point, Sedalia, Canton and Highland.
This includes Route 50 in West Virginia near mile marker 42, and
between mile markers 46 and 64.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, 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 3944 8060 3945 8058 3943 8058 3944 8056
3943 8055 3934 8055 3929 8060 3928 8060
3928 8058 3926 8059 3925 8058 3928 8108
3942 8107 3947 8064
TIME...MOT...LOC 1800Z 274DEG 26KT 3934 8097
KISTNERSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Charleston WV 204 PM EDT THU MAY 10 2018 WVZ008-016-101830- Jackson-Roane- 204 PM EDT THU MAY 10 2018 ...A SHOWER WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL ROANE AND EAST CENTRAL JACKSON COUNTIES... At 204 PM EDT, a shower was located near Kenna, or 7 miles southeast of Ripley, moving east at 30 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph and dime size hail are possible with this shower. Locations impacted include... Spencer, Statts Mills, Fairplain, Harmony, Gay and Gandeeville. This includes Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 127 and 132. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this shower, 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. This shower may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. LAT...LON 3871 8171 3880 8169 3883 8133 3863 8135 TIME...MOT...LOC 1804Z 276DEG 20KT 3874 8161 KISTNER
The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 82 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:08 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
One tree and several limbs were blown down in Central Park in Ashland. Another tree was blown down along Sucks Creek Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, May 2018
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: 744714.