Showers and thunderstorms developed in an unstable airmass on the afternoon of the 22nd, a couple of these storms produced wind damage. Later that evening a cold front pushed through with additional showers and storms.
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 developed in an unstable airmass on the afternoon of the 22nd, a couple of these storms produced wind damage. Later that evening a cold front pushed through with additional showers and storms. The multiple rounds of rain led isolated flooding.
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 22, 1:27 PM EST, 1 hour 52 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 227 PM EDT Tue May 22 2018 .SYNOPSIS... Cold front crosses tonight. High pressure to end the work week but more unsettled weather arrives in time for the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 200 PM Tuesday... Showers and storms have developed across most of the southern forecast area in a warm and unstable airmass. Farther north convection this morning left a more stable area but with some sunshine making it in now think we could get some storms to pop there as well. For the most part, do not expect this current activity to pose much of a threat due to a cap as evident on forecast soundings. The chance of stronger storms will arrive from the west late this afternoon into this evening. Storms are beginning to strengthen along and just ahead of a cold front which will move our way this evening, and cross the forecast area tonight. These storms should become strong to severe across western and central Ohio. The best area of instability extends into the far NW corner of the forecast area and coincides with a region of around 40kts bulk shear. This should allow the storms to remain strong to this point with strong winds the highest threat but some large hail is also possible. Instability quickly tapers off crossing SE Ohio and especially into WV/KY so storm intensity should decrease quickly across this zone. If a strong enough cold pool develops in central Ohio, it may be able to sustain stronger cells to around the Ohio River this evening. The cold front will cross tonight, moisture is beginning to decrease by this point, so capped POPs at scattered overnight. Continued and isolated thunder mention. Any lingering isolated showers across the mountains should taper off Wednesday with a dry day farther west. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 230 PM Tuesday... 5H ridge axis over the middle of the US will shift eastward with forecast area remaining under a weak flow regime at the mid and upper levels. Noted weak area of surface low pressure over the gulf with tropical characteristics in both the Euro and GFS models. Atmospheric column over the mid Appalachians undergoing a relative drying trend. Models are an general agreement in overall synoptic pattern with main differences noted in the details. Current thinking is that moisture should generally stay to our south this period. Expect morning fog in the river valleys due to trapped moisture at the low levels and subsidence inversion in place each day. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 230 PM Tuesday... As 5H ridge breaks down response to northern stream wave working across, flow becomes more southerly, allowing more moisture to stream into the forecast area. Followed model blends throughout the period with a general diurnal trend of shower and thunderstorm activity each day. There is a possibility of slow moving convection with heavy downpours in this weak flow regime. Could see some local water issues Sunday and early next week as PW values creep upwards. && .AVIATION /19Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 200 PM Tuesday... Scattered thunderstorms are expected ahead of a cold front through this evening. As the cold front crosses tonight we should see another round of showers and maybe storms. Did not include any IFR in these, but anticipate needing to amened if storms approach any TAF site. Models fairly insistent on fog and low stratus formation tonight behind the rain despite keeping some flow. Have include this at most sites. Any fog should dissipate in the hour or two after sunrise with MVFR clouds lingering through the morning. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing and restrictions in showers and thunderstorms 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 M M L PKB CONSISTENCY H M H H H H H H H H H L CKB CONSISTENCY L H H H H H H H H H H L AFTER 18Z WEDNESDAY... No widespread IFR expected. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...MZ/30 NEAR TERM...MZ SHORT TERM...KMC LONG TERM...KMC/30 AVIATION...MZ
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 221 PM EDT Tue May 22 2018 KYZ101>103-105-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>008-013>020-024>034-039-040-515>526- 231830- Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Dickenson-Buchanan-Wayne-Cabell- Mason-Jackson WV-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- 221 PM EDT Tue May 22 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia and much of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. There is a small chance for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds and large hail are the primary threat. Localized areas of flooding could occur where repetitive showers and thunderstorms occur. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. 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. OHZ075-076-083>087-WVZ009>011-231830- Athens-Washington-Jackson OH-Vinton-Meigs-Gallia-Lawrence OH-Wood- Pleasants-Tyler- 221 PM EDT Tue May 22 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Ohio and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. There is a slight risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds and large hail are the primary threat. Localized areas of flooding could occur where repetitive showers and thunderstorms occur. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. 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. OHZ066-067-231830- Perry-Morgan- 221 PM EDT Tue May 22 2018 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 115 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Ohio. .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. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. 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
1028 AM EDT TUE MAY 22 2018
OHZ075-083>086-WVZ007-221730-
Jackson-Athens-Meigs-Gallia-Vinton-Mason-
1028 AM EDT TUE MAY 22 2018
...AN AREA OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT MEIGS...NORTHERN
GALLIA...JACKSON...SOUTHWESTERN ATHENS...SOUTHEASTERN VINTON AND
NORTHWESTERN MASON COUNTIES...
At 1024 AM EDT, showers and thunderstorms were clustered near
Jackson, moving east at 25 mph. These storms are training over the
same area and are expected to continue. Some minor flooding of low
lying and poor drainage areas are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Jackson, Wellston, Point Pleasant, Pomeroy, Oak Hill, Rio Grande,
Albany, Racine, Rutland, New Haven, Mason, Middleport, Chester,
Hamden, Syracuse, Hartford City, Coalton, Vinton, Wilkesville and
Cheshire.
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 3915 8279 3928 8188 3895 8182 3893 8184
3890 8185 3884 8259 3886 8276 3894 8275
3895 8278 3907 8280
TIME...MOT...LOC 1424Z 260DEG 44KT 3898 8272
21PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
1033 AM EDT TUE MAY 22 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0645 PM TSTM WND DMG OLDTOWN 38.44N 82.90W
05/21/2018 GREENUP KY DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
STATE DOH IN GREENUP COUNTY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE A
COUPLE OF TREES DOWN FROM LAST NIGHTS THUNDERSTORM
DAMAGE ALONG KENTUCKY ROUTE 1.
&&
EVENT NUMBER RLX1800025
JZSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
411 PM EDT TUE MAY 22 2018
WVZ015-222100-
Kanawha-
411 PM EDT TUE MAY 22 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL KANAWHA COUNTY...
At 411 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Jefferson, or
near Nitro, moving east at 45 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Charleston, Nitro, Jefferson, South Charleston, St. Albans, Dunbar,
Marmet, Belle, Cross Lanes, Pinch, Alum Creek, Institute, Tornado,
Coal Fork, Elkview and Pond Gap.
THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
Interstate 79 between mile markers 1 and 11.
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 96 and 110.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 46 and 57.
West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 91 and 95.
Route 119 between mile markers 70 and 80.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3839 8190 3842 8185 3846 8174 3848 8128
3846 8128 3840 8126 3822 8127 3821 8128
3828 8181 3829 8181 3832 8182 3831 8186
3833 8192
TIME...MOT...LOC 2011Z 272DEG 37KT 3837 8177
08The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 10 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:18 UTC.
4 flash flood, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown down at the Billy Dunn Baseball field and another along Kanawha Terrace in the Saint Albans area.
Back Fork Street in Webster Springs was flooded due to high water on the Back Fork of the Elk River. Daniel Street was also closed due to high water.
Several trees were blown down near Route 18.
Several roads were damaged by water in western Tyler County. This included a section of Route 18 near Middlebourne and some smaller roads near Sistersville.
Millstone Creek came out of its banks, flooding the ambulance station near Arnoldsburg where supplies and equipment was destoryed. There were also several small mudslides near the intersection of US 33/119 and County Route 16 in Arnoldsburg. Near Hathaway, Sycamore Creek flooded, causing high water on Sycamore Creek Road.
Butchers Run flooded near Shock, causing a culvert to wash out on County Route 23 near Rosedale 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, 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: 745933, 745955, 745936, 745976, 745945, 745983.