An area of low pressure moved out of the Mississippi Valley on the 31st crossing through West Virginia that afternoon with strong to severe thunderstorms.
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.
An area of low pressure moved out of the Mississippi Valley on the 31st crossing through West Virginia that afternoon with strong to severe thunderstorms.
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 31, 12:22 PM EST, 20 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 122 PM EDT Tue Jul 31 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 915 AM Tuesday... Trimmed PoPs across the east leaving them over southeast OH and northeast KY per latest radar images. Continue monitoring the eastern quadrant of our CWA for a potential flash flood watch needed. Rest of forecast remains on track. As of 250 AM Tuesday... Showers and thunderstorms will be on the increase across the area again today. Upper trough/low across the midwest will deepen today, with a surface low pressure system moving northeast out of the Tennessee Valley into Ohio and the Great Lakes region, with attendant frontal boundary lifting north across the area. Upper disturbances moving through the flow, will enhance shower and thunderstorm activity at times today, with greatest chances/best support looking to be across NE KY and southeast OH zones. Heavy downpours are expected once again today in any convection. Wettest area in the CWA looks to be generally across an area from southern Wayne county northeast into Barbour county, and it's possible, depending on the evolution of convection today, that a FFA may be needed for these areas. Have elected to hold off for now, and let the day shift evaluate the evolution of convection today. In terms of the convection today, there exists the possibility of severe, and a marginal risk has been issued for the entire CWA by SPC, due to strengthening winds aloft, along with backed low level flow and average 40 kts 0-6km bulk shear. Damaging winds are the primary hazard, however, with the aforementioned shear and low level flow pattern, a brief tornado cannot be totally ruled out. There is however, the possibility that too much cloud cover, and activity early on could limit destabilization, and thus prevent storms from becoming too strong to allow for stronger winds aloft to reach the surface or for more organized development. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... As of 420 AM Tuesday... Moist, deep layer flow dominates this period, with upper level troughiness to the west, and western Atlantic ridging holding firm. An upper level short wave trough will drive a weak surface cold front through the area Wednesday and Wednesday night. This will likely result in showers and thunderstorms along our western flank first thing Wednesday morning, trekking east across the area Wednesday and Wednesday night. Models do not show a lot of instability developing Wednesday, owing to lots of clouds around early on. However, bulk shear of 35 to 45 kts may coincide with 1-2 KJ/KG CAPE in and near the mountains Wednesday afternoon, giving rise to stronger storms on narrow CAPE / moderate to strong shear. Also, PW values as high as two inches gives rise to the potential for heavy rainfall, which could easily become excessive over the particularly wet areas of northern and central WV. The front will get bogged down in the mountains overnight Wednesday night as the short wave trough lifts out. Southern stream short waves will initiate surface waves on the front that ride up the central Appalachians Thursday and again Thursday night. This will keep showers likely in the central and southern mountains overnight Wednesday night, and showers and thunderstorms will expand northward and westward as the wave rides up Thursday. Instability is progged to be meager Thursday, but PW values still up around 1 3/4 inches, and an elongated right rear entrance region of the upper level jet, could lead to heavy rainfall, and the wet areas in and near the northern and central mountains of WV will need closely monitored for the potential for heavy rainfall Thursday and Thursday night. The GFS becomes a bit of an outlier, showing the waves tracking farther west Thursday and especially Thursday night, when it tracks the strongest lift, and heaviest of the rain, up the middle Ohio Valley. The excessive rainfall potential for this week remains highlighted in the HWO. Central guidance temperatures and muggy dew points generally accepted, with highs a sensitive function of amount and timing of breaks in or thinner areas of the cloud cover. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 420 AM Tuesday... The last of a series of waves moving northward through the central Appalachians, pushes northward, out of the area, Friday, and the potential for heavy rainfall wanes. However, any flooding that develops Thursday and Thursday night would likely be most impactful on Friday with the ongoing runoff. The weather pattern settles down over the weekend and into early next week, as upper level troughing to the west lifts out, and the western Atlantic ridge muscles its way westward. However, the chance for pop up afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms continues in the very warm and humid air. A new short wave trough may flatten the ridge and drive a cold front toward the area, with the chance for showers and thunderstorms, toward Tuesday. Central guidance temperatures accepted, with slow warming, mainly on highs, with the building upper level heights. && .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 130 PM Tuesday... Numerous showers and scattered storms will continue to move north northeast across southeast OH, into the WV in the beginning of the period. MVFR and brief IFR visibilities can be expected along the strongest storms. Any storms will be capable of heavy downpours, and strong gusty winds. All convection should decrease after 00-03Z Wednesday, but areas of MVFR/IFR fog or low stratus are expected to form, particularly after 06Z. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of showers and storm today may vary from current forecast. More widespread MVFR and IFR conditions may be possible in post rain fog and stratus late tonight than currently forecast. 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 M M M M M L M M H H H H HTS CONSISTENCY M M M H H H H H H H H H BKW CONSISTENCY H M M L M M M M M M M M EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H M L H H M M M L PKB CONSISTENCY M M M M M M M H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY H H M M M M M H H H H H AFTER 18Z WEDNESDAY... IFR possible in showers and thunderstorms through Friday, 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...ARJ/SL SHORT TERM...TRM LONG TERM...TRM AVIATION...ARJ
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 314 AM EDT Tue Jul 31 2018 KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>011- 013>020-024>034-039-040-515>526-010715- 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- 314 AM EDT Tue Jul 31 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia and much of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Heavy downpours are expected in convection today and tonight. Localized flash flooding issues are possible. In addition, there is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms today. Damaging winds are the primary threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. 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
116 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
KYZ103-105-OHZ087-WVZ005-006-311745-
Boyd-Lawrence-Lawrence-Wayne-Cabell-
116 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN BOYD...
LAWRENCE...SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE...CENTRAL CABELL AND NORTHERN WAYNE
COUNTIES...
At 115 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Chesapeake to near Chandlerville.
Movement was east at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Huntington, Louisa, Wayne, Chesapeake, Proctorville, Blaine, Beech
Fork State Park, Yatesville Lake State Park, Barboursville, Kenova,
Ceredo, Fort Gay, Burnaugh, Durbin, Ulysses, Charley, Centerville,
Ona, South Point and Burlington.
This includes Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 1
and 22.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
These storms 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.
Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause elevated levels on
small creeks and streams, and ponding of water on country roads and
farmland along the banks of creeks and streams.
LAT...LON 3842 8257 3854 8214 3795 8252 3796 8253
3795 8258 3793 8258 3792 8260 3789 8260
3788 8262 3789 8267 3792 8274 3797 8283
3798 8287
TIME...MOT...LOC 1715Z 248DEG 16KT 3840 8249 3797 8280
KISTNERThe Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 63 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:40 UTC.
9 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple trees were blown down around the town of Lavalette.
Many trees were taken down in the city of Milton causing widespread power outages. One tree fell on a house and the Milton Fire Department radio tower collapsed due to wind. Also a mobile home was shifted off its cinder block pillars by the wind.
Thunderstorm winds removed parts of the roof and siding of Fairview Primitive Baptist Church in Culloden. Following the wind damage, heavy rain leaked into the building causing water damage. There were also many trees and power lines down in the area.
A tree was blown down across Lower Coach Road.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in Hurricane. One tree fell on a house along Renard Run and another tree fell on a truck.
Numerous trees along with power lines were blown down in the Mt. Zion area.
A tree fell across Servia Road in Elmira.
A tree fell down at the intersection of Newquay Drive and Walker Drive blocking one lane of traffic.
A tree was blown down across Tunnel Fork Road.
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: 765241, 765247, 765269, 765253, 765254, 765255, 765258, 765260, 765263.