On the afternoon of the 25th, the tail end of a cold front dropped down from the north and crossed through southeast Ohio. The timing of the frontal passage occurred near peak heating for that day, which helped spark strong thunderstorms with gusty winds across the area.
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.
On the afternoon of the 25th, the tail end of a cold front dropped down from the north and crossed through southeast Ohio. The timing of the frontal passage occurred near peak heating for that day, which helped spark strong thunderstorms with gusty winds across the area. The bulk of the wind damage ended up being numerous trees blown down across several towns in the state. The trailing edge of the upper level system once again aligned with afternoon heating on the 26th, amounting to a few additional severe thunderstorms in Morgan and Washington Counties.
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 25, 1:33 PM EST, 42 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 233 PM EDT Tue Aug 25 2020 .SYNOPSIS... Cold front approaches from north this evening, with showers and storms, some strong to severe. Front lifts back to the north Wednesday. Tropical remnants moisture Thursday through Saturday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 135 PM Tuesday... Overall, minimal changes needed. A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for portions of northern West Virginia and our southeastern Ohio Counties. Already beginning to see a few cells developing across these locations as instability increases and subsidence behind the earlier departing wave decreases. May eventually need a spatial extension of the watch further south and east later this evening depending largely on degree of upscale growth experienced. As of 1120 AM Tuesday... A leading shortwave responsible for showers and thunderstorms over our northeastern counties this morning will continue to shift off to the southeast through the remainder of the late morning and early afternoon. Did add some additional isolated shower/TS mentions over our southern mountains for early this afternoon with this feature. Elsewhere, subsidence behind the departing trough will largely suppress surface based convective activity through the early afternoon until stronger forcing in the form a second mid-level wave and attendant cold front late this afternoon into this evening. Substantially increased late afternoon/evening PoPs over the morning package with synoptic forcing, modest shear and forecast storm motions that will struggle to get off the front indicating more potential for multicellular clusters with at least some risk for upscale growth into a solid line as it propagates south. The main threats with this activity will be gusty to locally damaging winds along the consolidated cold pool/gust front along with heavy rain, although storm scale interaction could yield a few instances of large hail or even a brief spin-up. Any severe threat quickly wanes from north to south with the passage of the outflow reinforced front. Also trimmed back high temperature for this afternoon with central guidance running a bit too warm, with at least some insolation limiting from the substantial haze/smoke layer aloft. Westerly turning northwesterly winds aloft transport any remaining convective debris out of the area heading into Wednesday morning. With rainfall amounts of half to one inch with local amounts of 2+ possible with the afternoon activity, will likely see substantial fog development heading into Wednesday morning. Another ridge riding disturbance arrives late Wednesday afternoon, but still questionable how much surface moisture will be around to work with. This will largely be driven by rainfall this afternoon/evening as well as how far south the convectively driven frontal boundary can penetrate tonight. For now, have included only isolated/sct mention of showers and storms, primarily over our northeastern and mountain counties. Could see these increasing with updates once confidence in placement of the effective warm front increases. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... As of 230 PM Tuesday... As Laura comes ashore and moves northward along the lower Mississippi Valley, a preceding upper level trough axis oriented west to east will move northward along the lower Mississippi Valley, turn eastward in the westerlies aloft and push into the middle Ohio Valley. This will mark the beginning of a much more unsettled period that could pre soak the region before the remaining tropical system heads our way. Showers and storms likely Thursday and Thursday night as lower level moisture over the region increases. This will be a critical time period in terms of rainfall as the cumulative amounts over the short and long term could go over three inches for large portions of the CWA. Still need to allow for some uncertainty at this time given the time period and some evolution/changes of future forecasts. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 230 PM Tuesday... The long terms models depict the remnants of Laura merging with a trough aloft that will be pushing southward into the Great Lakes along with an associated cold front. This amplification of the waves aloft and advection of low level moisture combined with the focusing mechanism of the front could create a heavy rainfall potential in showers and storms, so this will need to be watched carefully in the coming days with cumulative QPF amounts on the higher side as they stand right now. && .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 140 PM Tuesday... A line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to develop in advance of an approaching cold front through the remainder of the afternoon hours, tracking south across all terminals through the evening hours. The main threats with this line will be locally gusty winds (likely from the north) preceding the line along with heavy rain briefly reducing visibility to 1-2SM. The line clears the region by 06Z and with at least partially clearing skies will likely see fog development heading into Wednesday morning. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Storm timing could vary by an hour. Fog formation could be less than forecast if skies do not clear. 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 M 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 M M H H M M M M 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 WEDNESDAY... Brief IFR possible in afternoon and evening thunderstorms and early morning fog this week. More widespread IFR in showers and thunderstorms possible late week and into the weekend. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...26/JP NEAR TERM...JP SHORT TERM...26 LONG TERM...26 AVIATION...JP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 137 PM EDT Tue Aug 25 2020 KYZ101>103-105-WVZ005-006-013>016-018-024>030-033-034-039-040- 515>526-261745- Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Wayne-Cabell-Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha- Roane-Calhoun-Mingo-Logan-Boone-Clay-Braxton-Gilmer-Lewis-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- 137 PM EDT Tue Aug 25 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky and much of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Severe thunderstorms are possible this evening with damaging winds. A severe thunderstorm watch may be required. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Tropical will move over the area on Thursday and remain until Saturday. Flash flooding is 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. OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-WVZ007>011-017-019-020-031-032-261745- Perry-Morgan-Athens-Washington-Jackson OH-Vinton-Meigs-Gallia- Lawrence OH-Mason-Jackson WV-Wood-Pleasants-Tyler-Wirt-Ritchie- Doddridge-Harrison-Taylor- 137 PM EDT Tue Aug 25 2020 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 449 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Ohio, and portions of central West Virginia, northern West Virginia and western West Virginia. .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. Tropical will move over the area on Thursday and remain until Saturday. Flash flooding is 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. VAZ003-004-261745- Dickenson-Buchanan- 137 PM EDT Tue Aug 25 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Tropical will move over the area on Thursday and remain until Saturday. Flash flooding is 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
203 PM EDT Tue Aug 25 2020
OHZ066-067-251830-
Morgan-Perry-
203 PM EDT Tue Aug 25 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PERRY AND NORTHWESTERN MORGAN
COUNTIES...
At 203 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Somerset,
moving southeast at 30 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
New Lexington, Somerset, Shawnee, Perry State Forest, Crooksville,
Junction City, Corning, Glenford, Hemlock and Rendville.
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 3991 8217 3982 8217 3982 8208 3977 8208
3976 8191 3955 8206 3955 8211 3969 8237
3974 8236 3974 8241 3983 8240 3984 8244
3992 8237
TIME...MOT...LOC 1803Z 297DEG 28KT 3981 8236
JPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
230 PM EDT Tue Aug 25 2020
OHZ066-067-251900-
Morgan-Perry-
230 PM EDT Tue Aug 25 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN PERRY AND
NORTHWESTERN MORGAN COUNTIES...
At 229 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over New Lexington,
moving southeast at 30 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
New Lexington, Shawnee, Crooksville, Malta, Corning, Hemlock,
Rendville and Eagleport.
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 3979 8207 3977 8208 3977 8199 3972 8182
3951 8199 3954 8205 3955 8205 3955 8207
3966 8228 3982 8217
TIME...MOT...LOC 1829Z 297DEG 27KT 3972 8216
JPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
307 PM EDT Tue Aug 25 2020
OHZ066-067-251945-
Morgan-Perry-
307 PM EDT Tue Aug 25 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN PERRY AND NORTHWESTERN
MORGAN COUNTIES...
At 306 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Thornport, or 7
miles north of Somerset, moving southeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
New Lexington, Somerset, Perry State Forest, Thornport, Crooksville,
Thornville and Glenford.
LAT...LON 3992 8241 3991 8217 3982 8217 3982 8208
3977 8208 3977 8198 3972 8192 3966 8221
3989 8247 3992 8247 3993 8245
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 321DEG 22KT 3991 8233
08The Cincinnati radar (KILN), 139 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:17 UTC.
14 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees were blown down around the town of Glenford.
Several trees were downed near the town of Thornville.
Numerous trees were downed in the town of Somerset.
Several large branches were blown onto the roadway near the town of Glouster, blocking traffic from flowing.
Numerous trees were blown down near New Lexington.
Multiple large trees were downed near McArthur, several of which were uprooted onto houses.
Several trees were downed in the southwest portion of the Athens Township, some blocking roadways.
Numerous trees were blown down onto roadways near the town of Albany.
Numerous trees were downed near Thomas Village.
In the town of Coolville, multiple trees were blown down.
Trees were blown down in several areas of the Vinton and Bidwell communities.
Multiple trees and power poles were downed onto roadways in Cheshire, including Addison Pike, Poplar Ridge Road, Little Kyger Road, and Roush Hollow.
Two trees were downed near Pennsville, one onto State Route 266 and the other onto Roy Gins Road.
Several trees were blown down in and around Beverly. Pea to half dollar size hail was also observed in the Beverly and Waterford area.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Ohio in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, August 2020
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: 910694, 910695, 910690, 910701, 910693, 910703, 910704, 910705, 910706, 910708, 910710, 910711, 910313, 910314.