A strong cold front dropped through the middle Ohio River Valley and central Appalachians on the 8th and 9th. Strong to severe thunderstorms along the front led to wind damage, hail and flash flooding.
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 strong cold front dropped through the middle Ohio River Valley and central Appalachians on the 8th and 9th. Strong to severe thunderstorms along the front led to wind damage, hail and flash 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 Aug 8, 1:26 PM EST, 1 hour 34 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 226 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019 .SYNOPSIS... Cold front passes tonight/Friday with showers and storms. High pressure this weekend. Another front early next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 150 PM Thursday... Showers and storms already ongoing. Most of the activity is skirting by just to the north so far, but radar shows some development across the NE forecast area as well. We have a rather unstable atmosphere in place, with MLCAPE pushing 1000J/kg across the north and west thanks to abundant sunshine this morning. Low level moisture is a bit limited with dewpoints generally in the low 60s. Shear is also limited right now with bulk shear values generally under 25kts, but we should see some increase across the northern third of the forecast area late this afternoon and evening. DCAPE values also are decent, getting close to 1000 J/kg in spots thanks to some midlevel dry air. Taking all of this into account, showers and storms should continue to develop and move in through the afternoon, with some of these storms capable of damaging wind gusts. Not all that concerned about large hail with weak mid level lapse rates and a decent freezing level, but some nickle to quarter size hail could be possible in the taller cells. All of this is happening ahead of a cold front which will sink into the forecast area tonight, briefly stalling out somewhere across the central or southern counties through the pre-dawn hours. Any of the stronger thunderstorm activity should weaken through the late evening and overnight hours with decreasing instability, but did keep POPs in along the front through the night. As mixing gets going, and an upper level shortwave trough slides through on Friday, the front should continue southward Friday into Friday night. Have scattered to likely POPs across the south Friday afternoon. Temperature wise, stuck close to a consensus blend. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... As of 215 PM Thursday... Big bubble no trouble... as high pressure builds in across the area. This high will provide drier and less humid weather for most areas Saturday and Sunday night. Kept close to guidance temperature blend throughout. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 215 PM Thursday... Models are coming into agreement with the next system to affect the area late Monday night through Wednesday night. This will keep showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. Weak high pressure will bring drier weather back into the region for Thursday. Kept with model guidance blend for temperatures throughout. && .AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 150 PM Thursday... A cold front will slowly sink into the forecast area overnight, stalling out across the central or southern counties into Friday. Ahead of this front, isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected. Brief periods of MVFR to IFR are possible with any of this precipitation, first across the north, and then transitioning south through the night. With clouds and wind in place, not expecting widespread dense fog, but anywhere that gets rain late this evening could have brief dense fog develop. Areas of MVFR stratus and fog are possible by Friday morning. Winds will be a bit variable around the front, but overall flow will be out of the west to northwest. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of thunderstorms may vary this afternoon and tonight. Patches of denser fog possible where it rains. 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 H HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H M H PKB CONSISTENCY H H 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 18Z FRIDAY... Brief IFR possible in showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening. IFR possible in fog and stratus Saturday morning, and in valley fog Sunday and Monday mornings. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...JS/MZ NEAR TERM...MZ SHORT TERM...JS LONG TERM...JS AVIATION...MZ
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 240 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019 OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-WVZ007>011-016>020-028>032-039-040-521- 522-525-526-090645- Perry-Morgan-Athens-Washington-Jackson OH-Vinton-Meigs-Gallia- Lawrence OH-Mason-Jackson WV-Wood-Pleasants-Tyler-Roane-Wirt-Calhoun- Ritchie-Doddridge-Braxton-Gilmer-Lewis-Harrison-Taylor-Upshur- Barbour-Northwest Webster-Southeast Webster-Northwest Randolph- Southeast Randolph- 240 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Ohio, and portions of central West Virginia, northeast West Virginia, northern West Virginia and western West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. There is a slight chance that thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could produce damaging wind gusts and large hail. Some of the storms could produce isolated flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not 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-VAZ003-004-WVZ005-006-013>015-024>027-033-034-515>520- 523-524-090645- Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Dickenson-Buchanan-Wayne-Cabell- Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha-Mingo-Logan-Boone-Clay-McDowell-Wyoming- Northwest Raleigh-Southeast Raleigh-Northwest Fayette- Southeast Fayette-Northwest Nicholas-Southeast Nicholas- Northwest Pocahontas-Southeast Pocahontas- 240 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and portions of central West Virginia, northeast West Virginia, southeast West Virginia, southern West Virginia and western 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... 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
219 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019
OHZ067-076-081900-
Washington-Morgan-
219 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON AND
NORTHEASTERN MORGAN COUNTIES...
At 216 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 10 miles north of
McConnelsville, moving southeast at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 45 mph and nickel size hail are possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Lowell, Bristol, Macksburg, Lower Salem and Hackney.
This includes Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 7 and 17.
LAT...LON 3975 8164 3967 8164 3966 8159 3959 8159
3958 8148 3965 8147 3965 8145 3963 8145
3963 8142 3960 8139 3960 8136 3949 8145
3976 8195
TIME...MOT...LOC 1816Z 300DEG 25KT 3981 8181
22Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
255 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019
WVZ032-081930-
Taylor-
255 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN TAYLOR COUNTY...
At 254 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Fairmont,
moving southeast at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 45 mph and nickel size hail are possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Grafton, Valley Falls, Knottsville and Thornton.
LAT...LON 3940 8013 3941 8011 3939 8009 3940 8003
3942 8000 3945 7994 3944 7990 3943 7989
3930 7989
TIME...MOT...LOC 1854Z 297DEG 28KT 3948 8013
22Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
304 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019
OHZ076-081930-
Washington-
304 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN WASHINGTON
COUNTY...
At 303 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 8 miles south of
Caldwell, moving southeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 45 mph and nickel size hail are possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Marietta, Lowell, Macksburg, Lower Salem and Devola.
This includes Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 2 and 17.
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 3963 8145 3963 8142 3960 8139 3959 8128
3961 8128 3961 8127 3958 8126 3958 8117
3957 8113 3935 8134 3959 8161 3958 8148
3964 8147 3965 8145
TIME...MOT...LOC 1903Z 306DEG 20KT 3963 8151
22Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
317 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019
WVZ032-040-081945-
Barbour-Taylor-
317 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT TAYLOR AND NORTHEASTERN BARBOUR
COUNTIES...
At 316 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Grafton, moving
southeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 45 mph and penny size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Grafton, Valley Falls, Moatsville, Tygart Lake State Park, Thornton,
Knottsville, McGee and Nestorville.
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 3912 7994 3936 8019 3940 8017 3940 8012
3941 8011 3939 8009 3940 8003 3944 7997
3940 7989 3930 7989 3929 7986 3925 7985
3924 7983
TIME...MOT...LOC 1916Z 304DEG 18KT 3938 8010
22Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
325 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019
OHZ066-082000-
Perry-
325 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WESTERN PERRY COUNTY...
At 325 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Pleasantville,
or 9 miles northeast of Lancaster, moving southeast at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 45 mph and nickel size hail are possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Somerset, Perry State Forest, Thornville and Junction City.
LAT...LON 3982 8215 3960 8234 3963 8238 3974 8236
3974 8241 3983 8240 3984 8247 3992 8247
TIME...MOT...LOC 1925Z 302DEG 19KT 3985 8253
22Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
333 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019
OHZ076-WVZ010-011-019-082015-
Washington-Ritchie-Pleasants-Tyler-
333 PM EDT Thu Aug 8 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN WASHINGTON...
PLEASANTS...NORTHWESTERN RITCHIE AND WEST CENTRAL TYLER COUNTIES...
At 333 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 9 miles northeast of
Marietta, moving southeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 45 mph and penny size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
St. Marys, Belmont, Newport, Matamoras, Lowell, Macksburg, Friendly,
Lower Salem, Maxwell, Arvilla, Point Lookout, New Matamoras and
Devola.
This includes Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 5 and 17.
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 3963 8145 3963 8142 3960 8139 3959 8128
3960 8128 3960 8126 3958 8126 3958 8121
3950 8097 3926 8116 3958 8159 3959 8158
3958 8148 3964 8147 3965 8145
TIME...MOT...LOC 1933Z 305DEG 19KT 3952 8134
22The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 134 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:58 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple trees were blown down on Mount Carmel Ridge.
Several trees were blown down on Turkey Run.
Multiple trees were blown down along Pullman Road.
Numerous trees were blown down, blocking the intersection of Davis Run Road and State Route 74.
Murdoch Avenue was closed by a fallen tree.
Several roads were covered by water, including Elm Street and Staunton Turnpike.
Trees were blown down along Riverview Drive and Emerson Avenue.
Multiple trees were blown down along Wolf Run Road.
Several trees were downed near the intersection of Dupont Road and Blennerhassett Heights Road.
Tanner and Sinking Creek flooded, washing out sections of Tanner Creek Road and Sinking Creek Road northwest of Glenville. At the nearby DOH garage, 3.18 inches of rain was measured during the overnight hours.
Multiple trees were blown down in Verdunville.
Multiple large softwood trees were blown down, along with several hardwood limbs.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in West Virginia in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in West Virginia, August 2019
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: 840252, 840253, 840254, 840255, 840256, 840240, 840257, 840258, 840259, 840242, 840243, 840244, 840245, 840261, 840246, 840247, 840248, 840262, 840249, 840250, 840251.