A warm front lifted through West Virginia on the morning of the 30th. An upper level disturbance was also crossing that morning.
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 warm front lifted through West Virginia on the morning of the 30th. An upper level disturbance was also crossing that morning. The combination of these resulted in a slow moving thunderstorm that produced excessive rainfall across sections of Central West Virginia.
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 30, 5:21 AM EST, 4 hours 40 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 621 AM EDT Mon Jul 30 2018 .SYNOPSIS... Instability and moisture return to the area, resulting in several chances of showers and thunderstorms this week. The weather settles down a bit, but remains muggy, late week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 205 AM Monday... After an overall quiet weekend, active weather returns once again. A few remnant showers/storms from convection in Virginia and Tennessee earlier this evening have made their way into parts of eastern zones, and have updated pops accordingly. Otherwise, showers and thunderstorms will be on the increase today, as a 500mb shortwave is progged to move through the region later this morning into the afternoon. At the surface, a warm frontal boundary is expected to develop, and linger across the CWA for much of the period, moving north into southeast Ohio towards the end of the period as low pressure moves northeast out of the MS valley towards our area. CWA is still in a marginal risk today for severe thunderstorms, with modest instability and 30-40 kts 0-6km bulk shear. Strong winds will be the primary threat, along with heavy downpours. Did elect to lower Max temperatures a couple of degrees today from inherited forecast due to cloud cover and convection. However, there is a concern that enough breaks in the clouds could occur this afternoon across WV lowland counties, which might allow temperatures to rise a few degrees higher than currently predicted. Precipitation will increase in coverage towards the end of the period as aforementioned low moves northeast out of MS valley region towards the area. Heaviest precipitation towards Tuesday morning looks to be across NE KY and southeast Ohio zones. A marginal risk for excessive rainfall has been placed by WPC in these areas. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... As of 345 AM Monday... A low pressure center, almost a mid summer Miller B except that both centers track west of the Appalachians, tracks north- northeastward through Indiana and Ohio Tuesday, and then up through the central and eastern Great Lakes Tuesday night. This drags a warm front northward through southeast Ohio and central and northern WV Tuesday, and a cold front mostly through the area Tuesday night. The cold front begins to stall and wash out as it crosses, as the associated upper level short wave trough lifts and minors out, leaving the main trough axis out to the west. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to trek across the area Tuesday and Tuesday night, ahead of the cold front, and then linger over the mountains overnight, as the front slows, and a secondary wave rides up along it. With clouds, showers and thunderstorms around early, heating ahead of the cold front will be limited, but pockets of heating and enhanced instability, with CAPE values possibly climbing into the 1-2 KJ/KG range, and modest bulk shear of 30 to 40 kts through 6 km, could lead to a few stronger thunderstorms. PW values close to two inches will also support heavy downpours, and this threat remains highlighted in the HWO. Instability wanes with loss of heating Tuesday night as bulk shear increases to 40 to 50 kts, and PW values drop off behind the front, although rise again overnight, as the secondary wave rides up from the south. May have to watch for another round of heavy downpours in and near the mountains toward dawn Wednesday. Wednesday is progged to be a more stable and less active day in the wake of front and wave, as upper level low associated with the trough axis remaining to the west opens up, and the actually flattens out. Another wave may ride up the central Appalachians overnight Wednesday night and beyond, its track a bit farther east than that of its predecessor. The forecast depicts showers and thunderstorms most likely in the mountains on Wednesday, with the middle Ohio Valley drying out Wednesday night, and lower hazards risks overall. Rainfall amounts will need monitored throughout the period, especially in the mountains. Central guidance temperatures accepted, although uncertainty on the amount of heating Tuesday and Wednesday translates into lower confidence on highs both days. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 345 AM Monday... Upper level troughiness lingers west of the area through Sunday, while weakening and lifting. This leaves the moist corridor along and east of the Appalachians, so the best chance for showers and thunderstorms is over the mountains. The middle Ohio Valley is likely to have longer dry interludes, especially at night and in the morning. By Sunday, the chance for showers and thunderstorms is more diurnally driven, and less overall, as the upper level flow becomes a bit more zonal. A new upper level short wave trough drives a surface cold front toward the area Sunday night and Monday, resulting in backing of the upper level flow, and an area wide chance for showers and thunderstorms by Monday. Central guidance temperatures accepted, which reflect a slow warming trend, with a bit less convection each day. The weather remains muggy with lowland dew points remaining in the upper 60s to lower 70s range. && .AVIATION /10Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 620 AM Monday... Expect an increase in showers and thunderstorms later this morning and afternoon, particularly after 12-14Z, with brief MVFR and IFR conditions in vcnty of storms. Greatest coverage of convection is expected across southeast Ohio, northeast KY, and the mountainous counties. Storms will produce brief heavy downpours, and be capable of strong/damaging winds. A brief decrease in convective activity is expected towards 00Z, but showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage again, particularly towards the end of the TAF period as a low pressure system moves into the region. Expect more widespread MVFR or worse to develop towards the end of the TAF period and beyond. In addition, there remains uncertainty to the development of areas of fog or low stratus tonight, particularly in areas that receive rain today. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of development of convection today may vary from forecast. More widespread IFR conditions may be possible overnight particularly if fog or low stratus forms. 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 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 EDT 1HRLY 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 CRW CONSISTENCY L L L 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 M M M M M H H H H H EKN CONSISTENCY L L L H H H H H H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY H M H H H H H H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H AFTER 12Z TUESDAY... IFR possible in showers and thunderstorms through Thursday, mainly during the afternoons and evenings. IFR in post-rain fog and stratus will be possible each of these nights. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...TRM/SL NEAR TERM...SL SHORT TERM...TRM LONG TERM...TRM AVIATION...SL
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 300 AM EDT Mon Jul 30 2018 KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>011- 013>020-024>034-039-040-515>526-310700- 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-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- 300 AM EDT Mon Jul 30 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia and much of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. There is a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms today. Damaging winds are the primary risk. In addition, heavy downpours are expected in convection today and tonight. Localized flash flooding issues are possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Showers and thunderstorms, some with heavy downpours, are expected for much of the week. Localized flash flooding issues are possible. .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.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
635 AM EDT MON JUL 30 2018
KYZ105-WVZ005-301100-
Lawrence-Wayne-
635 AM EDT MON JUL 30 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE AND
SOUTHERN WAYNE COUNTIES...
At 634 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Job, or near
Inez, moving northeast at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Kiahsville, Dunlow, Clifford, Glenhayes, Wilsondale and Crum.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3797 8267 3818 8234 3802 8221 3787 8241
3786 8242 3788 8241 3790 8244 3791 8247
3790 8247 3790 8248 3792 8248 3793 8250
3795 8250 3796 8253 3795 8258 3793 8258
3792 8260 3789 8260
TIME...MOT...LOC 1034Z 238DEG 17KT 3794 8251
12Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
700 AM EDT MON JUL 30 2018
WVZ005-013-024>026-301130-
Boone-Lincoln-Logan-Wayne-Mingo-
700 AM EDT MON JUL 30 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN MINGO...
WESTERN LINCOLN...SOUTHEASTERN WAYNE...NORTHWESTERN LOGAN AND WEST
CENTRAL BOONE COUNTIES...
At 659 AM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Dunlow to 7 miles northeast of Hode.
Movement was northeast at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Chapmanville, Ranger, Gill, Spurlockville, Kiahsville, Dunlow, Harts,
West Hamlin, Branchland, Palermo, Dingess, Wilsondale, Mud, Breeden
and Myra.
This includes Route 119 between mile markers 31 and 46.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3823 8228 3823 8226 3825 8226 3831 8219
3797 8184 3781 8232 3797 8247 3798 8246
3799 8247 3799 8248 3802 8252
TIME...MOT...LOC 1059Z 236DEG 19KT 3801 8239 3793 8231
12Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
746 AM EDT MON JUL 30 2018
WVZ028-030-039-301215-
Upshur-Lewis-Braxton-
746 AM EDT MON JUL 30 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN LEWIS...
NORTHEASTERN BRAXTON AND WESTERN UPSHUR COUNTIES...
At 746 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 8 miles west of Rock
Cave, or 15 miles south of Weston, moving northeast at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Rock Cave, Walkersville, Kanawha Head, Ireland, Lorentz, Horner,
French Creek and Falls Mills.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3885 8014 3873 8044 3874 8046 3871 8047
3870 8050 3885 8064 3907 8034
TIME...MOT...LOC 1146Z 234DEG 18KT 3882 8050
12Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
802 AM EDT MON JUL 30 2018
WVZ013>015-025-026-301230-
Boone-Kanawha-Lincoln-Logan-Putnam-
802 AM EDT MON JUL 30 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN KANAWHA...
CENTRAL PUTNAM...CENTRAL LINCOLN...NORTH CENTRAL LOGAN AND NORTHERN
BOONE COUNTIES...
At 802 AM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 6 miles northeast of Hamlin to near
Madison. Movement was northeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Charleston, Nitro, Madison, Winfield, Hamlin, Jefferson, South
Charleston, St. Albans, Dunbar, Hurricane, Sissonville, Chesapeake,
Marmet, Belle, Cedar Grove, Poca, East Bank, Spurlockville, Institute
and Tornado.
THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
Interstate 79 between mile markers 1 and 3.
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 96 and 113.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 37 and 57.
West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 80 and 95.
Route 119 between mile markers 39 and 80.
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 3837 8208 3838 8207 3838 8205 3840 8205
3866 8174 3817 8142 3793 8196 3828 8219
TIME...MOT...LOC 1202Z 230DEG 23KT 3831 8200 3808 8185
12Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1016 AM EDT MON JUL 30 2018
WVZ027-028-519-301445-
Clay-Northwest Nicholas-Braxton-
1016 AM EDT MON JUL 30 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTH CENTRAL NICHOLAS...
SOUTHWESTERN BRAXTON AND NORTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTIES...
At 1016 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 7 miles east of Big
Otter, or 12 miles northeast of Clay, moving northeast at 15 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Sutton, Gassaway, Harrison, Little Birch, Frametown, Strange Creek,
Wilsie and Servia.
This includes Interstate 79 between mile markers 41 and 64.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3855 8062 3846 8093 3861 8105 3880 8080
3856 8060
TIME...MOT...LOC 1416Z 240DEG 12KT 3858 8091
09Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1101 AM EDT MON JUL 30 2018
WVZ028-519>522-525-301530-
Southeast Nicholas-Southeast Webster-Northwest Randolph-Northwest
Webster-Northwest Nicholas-Braxton-
1101 AM EDT MON JUL 30 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN
NICHOLAS...SOUTHEASTERN BRAXTON AND WEBSTER COUNTIES...
At 1101 AM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Sutton to 6 miles
south of Birch River. Movement was east at 15 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Webster Springs, Addison (Webster Springs), Camden-On-gauley, Birch
River, Craigsville, Camden On Gauley, Holly River State, Cowen,
Diana, Muddlety, Upper Glade, Boggs, Little Birch, Calvin, Hacker
Valley, Centralia, Erbacon and Helvetia.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3873 8018 3866 8023 3865 8025 3864 8025
3826 8052 3835 8089 3869 8064 3872 8033
3871 8033 3869 8032 3869 8030 3870 8028
3872 8026
TIME...MOT...LOC 1501Z 274DEG 15KT 3863 8060 3841 8076
09The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 100 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 14:59 UTC.
2 flash flood, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Heavy rain caused flash flooding along Saltlick Creek near Flatwoods. Also Oil Creek flooded, causing high water on Oil Creek Road. One public rain gauge in Central Braxton County measured 3 inches of rain through the morning.
Multiple roads across Kanawha County were closed by high water. The intersection of Campbells Creek Drive and Wiley Road was flooded by water from Campbells Creek. Flooding on Coal Fork forced fast moving water across Coal Fork Drive. In the Loudendale and Davis Creek area Loudendale Lane, Cane Fork Road, and Kanawha State Forest Drive were flooded. Near Alum Creek, Brier Creek flooded a section of Brounland Road. Barolow Drive was flooded by water from Elk Twomile Creek. Urban flooding also occurred in Charleston where Oakhurst Drive and Venabel Avenue near 36th street were flooded.
Lightning struck a shed in the South Hills area, resulting in minor smoke damage.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in West Virginia in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in West Virginia, July 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: 765218, 765224, 765238.