Showers and thunderstorms formed on the afternoon of the 21st as a warm front lifted across the middle Ohio River Valley and central Appalachians. One of these produced wind damage, and other very heavy rainfall.
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.
Showers and thunderstorms formed on the afternoon of the 21st as a warm front lifted across the middle Ohio River Valley and central Appalachians. One of these produced wind damage, and other very heavy rainfall.
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 21, 2:44 PM EST, 28 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 344 PM EDT Mon May 21 2018 .SYNOPSIS... Weak warm front moves northward today. Cold front crosses Tuesday night. High pressure to end the work week but more unsettled weather arrives in time for the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 145 PM Monday... Front which was stalled near I-64 is starting to drift back north early this afternoon... a trend which should continue through the remaining of the afternoon. Starting to get showers popping up near and south of the front which will also gradually expand in the instability of the warm sector this afternoon and drift northward into this evening. Also currently have a cluster of showers and storms approaching the far NW forecast area which. Models had been struggling a bit with activity north of the front, but HRRR seems to have latched on to this and carries it across the NW corner of the CWA over the next couple hours. Shear is not all that great today -- 0-6km bulk shear maxes out around 25kts across the west and north, but with plenty of instability some storms may become strong to severe with gusty outflow and hail the main threat. With slower storm motion and precipitable water around 1.5 inches, any repetitive cells could lead to isolated water concerns. In a rather juicy atmosphere think at least some isolated to scattered showers and storms will linger through the night so kept POPs going. A cold front will approach from the west late Tuesday. Ahead of this front we should see areas of showers and thunderstorms across the forecast area. Did go with an area of likely POPs crossing from west to east through the day associated with an upper level shortwave trough running out ahead of the surface cold front. With lots of clouds around all day, instability is pretty sparse, but with the upper level support and some surface convergence an isolated stronger storm or two is possible. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... As of 344 PM Tuesday... The cold front will pass through Tuesday night into Wednesday morning with a good chance showers and a few thunderstorms. A drier airmass moves in behind this front by Wednesday afternoon and persists through Thursday night. Dewpoints drop into the 50s behind the front so a dry and rather comfortable period is expected Wednesday night through Thursday night. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 344 PM Tuesday... High pressure moves east of the area on Friday, and return flow begins to transport increasing amounts of moisture northward from the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic into our area. Dewpoints will increase into the 60s on Friday and there will be a small chance for a shower and/or storm to develop over our southern counties. This threat for showers/storms will then expand northward Saturday through Monday. Generally kept with the blended model guidance for the weekend forecast to wash out any model differences regarding how fast the moisture returns and the track of the responsible storm system which develops over the Gulf. This results in chance PoPs throughout the weekend with highs in the 80s Friday and Saturday, dropping to the 70s to near 80 on Monday. && .AVIATION /19Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 145 PM Monday... A warm front will lift through today with showers and thunderstorms. Very tough to time these out to any specific terminal so went with general vicinity mention right now and expect amendments will be needed as cells approach different sites. Coverage low enough to let this fall off overnight, but still expect some echos on radar overnight. Ahead of a cold front, expect more showers and storms on Tuesday. Any storms will be capable of brief restrictions. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: High. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing and restrictions with convection could 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 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 EDT 1HRLY 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H M HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H M BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H M EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H L PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H M CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H M AFTER 18Z TUESDAY... Brief periods of IFR possible in showers and storms into Tuesday night. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...MZ/ABE NEAR TERM...MZ SHORT TERM...ABE LONG TERM...ABE AVIATION...MZ
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 253 AM EDT Mon May 21 2018 VAZ003-004-WVZ013-015-018-020-024>034-039-040-515>526-220700- Dickenson-Buchanan-Lincoln-Kanawha-Calhoun-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- 253 AM EDT Mon May 21 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia, and portions of central West Virginia, northeast West Virginia, northern West Virginia, southeast West Virginia and southern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .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. KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-WVZ005>011-014-016-017-019- 220700- Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Perry-Morgan-Athens-Washington- Jackson OH-Vinton-Meigs-Gallia-Lawrence OH-Wayne-Cabell-Mason- Jackson WV-Wood-Pleasants-Tyler-Putnam-Roane-Wirt-Ritchie- 253 AM EDT Mon May 21 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, and portions of central West Virginia, northern West Virginia, southern West Virginia and western West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. There is a small chance for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds and large hail are the primary threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
215 PM EDT MON MAY 21 2018
OHZ067-075-076-211845-
Washington-Athens-Morgan-
215 PM EDT MON MAY 21 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL WASHINGTON...
SOUTHWESTERN MORGAN AND CENTRAL ATHENS COUNTIES...
At 215 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Buchtel, or
near Athens, moving east at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Athens, Nelsonville, Glouster, Chesterhill, Chauncey, Buchtel,
Jacksonville, Murray City, Trimble, Amesville, Stroud Run State Park,
Burr Oak State Park, Bartlett and The Plains.
LAT...LON 3934 8173 3929 8219 3947 8223 3947 8217
3948 8217 3956 8216 3955 8204 3957 8204
3960 8182
TIME...MOT...LOC 1815Z 255DEG 21KT 3941 8212
ABESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
227 PM EDT MON MAY 21 2018
OHZ075-084-211845-
Athens-Vinton-
227 PM EDT MON MAY 21 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN ATHENS AND
NORTHEASTERN VINTON COUNTIES...
At 226 PM EDT, radar indicated a couple strong thunderstorms were
located from near Lake Hope State Park to near Mcarthur. Movement
was east at 10 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Mcarthur, Lake Hope State Park, Zaleski and Creola.
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.
LAT...LON 3926 8217 3919 8256 3932 8262 3939 8237
3939 8229 3941 8229 3943 8221
TIME...MOT...LOC 1826Z 249DEG 8KT 3931 8229 3925 8254
16Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
253 PM EDT MON MAY 21 2018
OHZ075-076-211930-
Washington-Athens-
253 PM EDT MON MAY 21 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL WASHINGTON
AND SOUTHERN ATHENS COUNTIES...
At 253 PM EDT, radar indicated a couple strong thunderstorms, one 7
miles south of Chesterhill and another near Albany. Movement was
east at 10 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Athens, Marietta, Albany, Amesville, Fleming, Stroud Run State Park
and Bartlett.
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.
LAT...LON 3943 8144 3927 8177 3920 8216 3920 8221
3930 8226 3945 8185 3945 8183 3946 8182
3948 8177
TIME...MOT...LOC 1853Z 268DEG 9KT 3938 8184 3928 8220
16Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
341 PM EDT MON MAY 21 2018
WVZ008-016-212030-
Jackson-Roane-
341 PM EDT MON MAY 21 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN ROANE AND CENTRAL
JACKSON COUNTIES...
At 340 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Ripley, moving
northeast at 15 mph.
Locations impacted include...
Ripley, Statts Mills, Leroy, Fairplain, Gay and Given.
This includes Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 129
and 139.
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 3880 8138 3868 8178 3871 8181 3872 8181
3873 8179 3876 8182 3878 8182 3895 8157
TIME...MOT...LOC 1940Z 245DEG 12KT 3874 8172
08Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
402 PM EDT MON MAY 21 2018
WVZ015-016-212100-
Roane-Kanawha-
402 PM EDT MON MAY 21 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN KANAWHA AND
SOUTHERN ROANE COUNTIES...
At 402 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 8 miles northwest of
Clendenin, or 17 miles south of Spencer, moving northeast at 20 mph.
Locations impacted include...
Wallback, Amma, Left Hand, Looneyville, Tariff, Walton and
Gandeeville.
This includes Interstate 79 between mile markers 14 and 36.
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 3880 8122 3878 8122 3874 8117 3868 8117
3867 8116 3864 8116 3863 8112 3864 8110
3862 8108 3861 8108 3856 8113 3848 8144
3860 8154 3861 8152 3864 8153 3879 8123
TIME...MOT...LOC 2002Z 244DEG 16KT 3857 8145
08PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
408 PM EDT MON MAY 21 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0330 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 W DUNHAM 39.33N 81.65W
05/21/2018 WASHINGTON OH EMERGENCY MNGR
A TREE DOWN ACROSS ONE LANE OF VETO ROAD.
&&
EVENT NUMBER RLX1800015
ABEThe Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 42 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:11 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple trees were blown down near the intersection of Ambler Ridge Road and US 119.
A tree and power line were taken down by thunderstorm winds, closing US 119.
Flooding along the Right Fork of the Holly River caused high water on Guardian Drive. There was also a mudslide across another section of Guardian Drive. Along the Left Fork of the Holly River, flooding washed out a section of Polling Road. A nearby automated rain gauge reported 3.17 inches of rain in the hours prior to the flooding.
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, 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: 745908, 745911, 745901.