In a moist, unstable atmosphere thunderstorms developed across the southern coal fields of West Virginia on the 19th. One of these storms became severe, producing tree damage.
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.
In a moist, unstable atmosphere thunderstorms developed across the southern coal fields of West Virginia on the 19th. One of these storms became severe, producing tree damage.
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 19, 2:53 PM EST, 1 hour 56 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 353 PM EDT Sun May 19 2019 .SYNOPSIS... Cold front Monday. Then, high pressure builds to provide plenty of sunshine and a gradually warming through Friday along with chances for showers and thunderstorms. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 150 PM Sunday... Isolated to scattered convection has indeed developed along the mountain ridges as of 18Z. The lift for these storms is primarily due to orographics from strengthening southerly flow, though not an ideal direction. Latest run of RAP indicates ML CAPE values are in the 1200 to 1400 J/kg range. The approach of a mid level trof and associated increase in mid level flow should allow coverage to increase a bit across these locations in the thru 21Z. Outside of the high terrain, convection chances diminish rapidly for the remainder of the afternoon with no real forcing to lift parcels. Some of the mountain convection may spill over into the adjacent lowland counties, however steering flow should motion storms to NNE. Confidence is not high on this occurring ATTM. Having said that, the best adjacent lowland locations to see any convection later this afternoon would be say from Sutton to Clarksburg. SPC continues to highlight the northern mountains with a slight risk this afternoon. Shear values are marginal for overall organization, however surface to mid level delta theta e values and DCAPE do support a damaging wind potential...primarily with the stronger collapsing cores. Mountain/adjacent convective activity will diminish in intensity and coverage with sunset. The upper trof and associated cold front will move thru the area tonight. However, with little in the way instability, I have only low chances for a prefrontal band of showers moving thru. A secondary front looks to cross on Monday, however with moisture confined to the low levels, thinking any precip would be in the afternoon across the mountains and void of thunder. CAA and lower dewpoints will arrive across SE OH late in the afternoon on a refreshing breeze, taking until the evening to arrive east of the OH River. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... As of 244 PM Sunday... A surface high pressure system builds from the northwest to provide dry and about normal temperatures under light northerly flow Monday night into Tuesday night. Lows will range from the lower 50s lowlands to the low 40s highest elevations. Highs Tuesday will stay a around 70 degrees lowlands ranging into the upper 50s northeast mountains. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 300 PM Sunday... On Wednesday morning, a warm front develops south of the area and should gradually lift north under increasing southwest flow into early Thursday. Then, the area will remain in the warm sector of an approaching low pressure system. Model's consensus indicate warm air and moisture advection will gradually increase through the end of the week. Temperatures will increase from the mid 80s Wednesday, to around 90 degrees Thursday and Friday. Showers and storms will be possible, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours. && .AVIATION /20Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 210 PM Sunday... Mainly scattered mountain shra/tsra thru 00Z with some tempo MVFR TS groups for EKN/BKN with a SCT to BKN 4-6kft CU field elsewhere. Some convection my sneak close to CRW and CKB after 21Z such that VCTS was inserted in the TAF, but confidence is not particularly high on direct impacts. Gusty SW winds 20 to 25 kts will prevail thru the remainder of the afternoon. After 00Z, a cold front will approach and cross overnight. A few shra are possible along and ahead of the boundary, though predominate VFR should be maintained. A secondary front crosses Monday and with little in the way of moisture depth, only thinking isolated shra in the afternoon for the mountains and dry elsewhere. Some morning MVFR stratus is possible across SE OH but should stay clear of PKB/HTS. Winds will become gusty in the afternoon 20 to 25 kts and veering to the W and eventually WNW with any BKN CU becoming SCT. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: High except moderate EKN/BKW. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Brief IFR conditions possible EKN/BKN in shra/tsra thru 00Z tonight. 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 H 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 MONDAY... IFR conditions are possible in showers and thunderstorms after midnight Sunday. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...ARJ/30 NEAR TERM...30 SHORT TERM...RH LONG TERM...ARJ AVIATION...30
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 241 PM EDT Sun May 19 2019 WVZ522>526-201845- Southeast Webster-Northwest Pocahontas-Southeast Pocahontas- Northwest Randolph-Southeast Randolph- 241 PM EDT Sun May 19 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon. The greatest threat associated with the storms will be damaging wind gusts. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. 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-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>011- 013>020-024>034-039-040-515>521-201845- 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- 241 PM EDT Sun May 19 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia and much of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. 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
138 PM EDT Sun May 19 2019
WVZ525-526-191815-
Northwest Randolph-Southeast Randolph-
138 PM EDT Sun May 19 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL RANDOLPH COUNTY...
At 137 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 10 miles east of
Holly River State, or 17 miles northwest of Cass Scenic Railroad,
moving northeast at 25 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and
may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through
flooded roadways.
Locations impacted include...
Mill Creek, Huttonsville and Pickens.
This storm 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 3855 8017 3862 8024 3865 8025 3875 8014
3875 8012 3877 8012 3884 8004 3866 7983
TIME...MOT...LOC 1737Z 231DEG 23KT 3863 8014
16Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
226 PM EDT Sun May 19 2019
WVZ523-524-191900-
Southeast Pocahontas-Northwest Pocahontas-
226 PM EDT Sun May 19 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN POCAHONTAS
COUNTY...
At 225 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Leonard, or
near Renick, moving northeast at 40 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and
may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through
flooded roadways.
Locations impacted include...
Marlinton, Hillsboro, Edray, Buckeye, Minnehaha Springs and Cranberry
Mountain Nature Center.
This storm 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 3814 7993 3804 8016 3804 8022 3805 8027
3811 8036 3824 8036 3843 8016 3816 7992
TIME...MOT...LOC 1825Z 231DEG 33KT 3806 8038
16Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
432 PM EDT Sun May 19 2019
WVZ032-040-192100-
Barbour-Taylor-
432 PM EDT Sun May 19 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT TAYLOR AND NORTHERN BARBOUR
COUNTIES...
At 431 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Grafton, moving
northeast at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Grafton, Philippi, Flemington, Moatsville, Tygart Lake State Park,
Thornton, Rosemont, Knottsville, Galloway and Meadland.
LAT...LON 3914 8009 3923 8018 3924 8016 3927 8020
3930 8020 3939 8007 3940 8003 3942 8000
3945 7993 3943 7989 3930 7989 3929 7986
3925 7985
TIME...MOT...LOC 2031Z 233DEG 45KT 3926 8008
MEKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
523 PM EDT Sun May 19 2019
VAZ004-WVZ033-192200-
Buchanan-McDowell-
523 PM EDT Sun May 19 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN BUCHANAN AND
MCDOWELL COUNTIES...
At 523 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Jewell Ridge,
or 9 miles north of Richlands, moving northeast at 40 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Welch, Gary, War, Northfork, Davy, Bradshaw, Iaeger, Keystone,
Kimball, Jolo, Elbert, Coalwood, Avondale and Cucumber.
LAT...LON 3715 8190 3723 8200 3751 8182 3750 8171
3752 8168 3751 8163 3752 8162 3749 8160
3748 8151 3749 8147 3745 8143 3746 8140
3744 8137 3721 8169 3724 8172 3724 8174
3720 8176 3718 8185 3715 8188
TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 222DEG 34KT 3723 8186
MEKThe Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 96 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:49 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree blew over onto the train tracks near Roderfield and another was blown down in the town of Big Sandy.
Several trees were blown down on Indian Creek Road near the town of Fanny.
Trees were downed near Rock View along the Appalachian Highway.
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, May 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: 817779, 817783, 817784.