An upper level shortwave moved across the central Appalachians from the 6th to the 7th. Showers and thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and evening of the 6th, and lingered into the night.
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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.
An upper level shortwave moved across the central Appalachians from the 6th to the 7th. Showers and thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and evening of the 6th, and lingered into the night. Heavy rain fell in portions of southwestern Virginia just after midnight, with 2-3 inches of rain falling over several hours. An automated rain gauge at the Buchanan County Airport near Vansant measured 2.25 inches of rain. This led to isolated 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 7, 1:01 AM EST, 44 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 201 AM EDT Fri Aug 7 2020 .SYNOPSIS... A series of disturbances move up the Appalachians through Friday. High pressure crosses Saturday, setting up a warming trend into early next week, as it moves east. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TODAY/... As of 1038 PM Thursday... Temperatures and POPs were adjusted this evening to remain on track with current trends. As of 800 PM Thursday... Elected to increase cloud coverage through the near term period as latest model guidance suggests an uptick in clouds starting late tonight. Also made adjustments to POPs this evening along the mountains as convection wanes with the loss of diurnal heating. As of 200 PM Thursday... Showers and storms will continue to develop mainly across the southern and eastern portions of WV and extreme southwest VA through this evening. An upper level shortwave and the afternoon heating acting on PWATs around 1.8 inches are responsible for this activity. Expect most of the convection to wane down by 9 pm this evening. A Marginal risk for excessive rainfall exists across central Appalachians through Friday. Heavy downpours are possible with this activity as well as repetitive showers over the same areas, posing a threat for localized flooding into Friday. Convective activity will diminish considerable tonight, but PoPs still exist across the eastern half of our forecasting area. Patchy dense fog is also expected mainly along the most protected river valleys overnight tonight. For Friday, a stronger H500 vorticity maxima sweeps across the area to provide better support for showers and storms development mainly during the afternoon and evening hours. WPC has the central Appalachians under a Marginal risk for excessive rainfall as well. Accepted guidance temperatures with near normal values through the period. && .SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... As of 220 PM Thursday... The pesky long wave trough finally exits east Friday evening as a broad ridge over the Southern Plains begins to to slide into the region. This will result in warm-up for the weekend with highs across the Lowlands in the upper 80s to lower 90s along with minimal precipitation chances as a subsidence inversion based near H800 develops. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 220 PM Thursday... Subsidence begins to fade as ridging deamplifies in advance of the next system transiting the Upper Great Lakes with a diurnal risk of showers and thunderstorms returning Monday. Models have shifted this feature a bit further north over the last couple runs, so think Monday's highs will be pretty similar to Sunday's in the absence of stronger southwesterly flow. The pattern turns more active for the remainder of the week with copious moisture pooling ahead of a stalling frontal boundary somewhere across the Middle Ohio Valley. Low level moisture coupled with strong surface heating will yield substantial instability, although generally weak winds through the column will limit overall severe potential with the main threats being localized damaging winds with core drops and locally heavy rainfall with slow moving storms. && .AVIATION /06Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 200 AM Friday... Fog has developed at EKN and IFR/VFR conditions will likely persist there through the night. The chance for fog remains highest in the mountains and decreases toward the western sites. As of this update, persistent cloud coverage has been suppressing fog formation at BKW, though it is still possible if clearing begins. Fog should dissipate during the morning with all affected sites becoming VFR. Showers and thunderstorms are once again expected during the afternoon and evening with the greatest possibility along the mountains. VCTS has been coded for both BKW and EKN during that time. Winds are expected to remain fairly light through the TAF period though gusty conditions are possible during any storms this afternoon/evening. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing and intensity of fog may vary from the forecast overnight. Extent of storms Friday afternoon may 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. DATE FRI 08/07/20 UTC 1HRLY 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 EDT 1HRLY 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H L L M M M M M H HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H M M H H L H H BKW CONSISTENCY H H M M L L L L L L H H EKN CONSISTENCY H H H M L L M M M M L H PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY H H H L H L M L L H H H AFTER 06Z SATURDAY... Overnight river valley fog may lead to IFR conditions this weekend into early next week. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...ARJ/JP NEAR TERM...ARJ/MEK SHORT TERM...JP LONG TERM...JP AVIATION...JLB
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 639 AM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020 VAZ003-004-WVZ033-034-515-516-524-071045- Dickenson-Buchanan-McDowell-Wyoming-Northwest Raleigh- Southeast Raleigh-Southeast Pocahontas- 639 AM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia, the southern mountains of West Virginia, and portions of the central mountains of WV. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could bring strong to damaging wind gusts, along with locally heavy downpours. There are marginal risks for severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall. .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. WVZ027-028-030>032-039-040-517>523-525-526-071045- Clay-Braxton-Lewis-Harrison-Taylor-Upshur-Barbour-Northwest Fayette- Southeast Fayette-Northwest Nicholas-Southeast Nicholas- Northwest Webster-Southeast Webster-Northwest Pocahontas- Northwest Randolph-Southeast Randolph- 639 AM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the northern mountains of West Virginia, portions of the central mountains of West Virginia, and portions of the northern and central lowlands of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could bring strong wind gusts, along with locally heavy downpours. There is a marginal risk for excessive rainfall. .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. KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-WVZ005>011-013>020-024>026- 029-071045- Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Perry-Morgan-Athens-Washington- Jackson OH-Vinton-Meigs-Gallia-Lawrence OH-Wayne-Cabell-Mason- Jackson WV-Wood-Pleasants-Tyler-Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha-Roane-Wirt- Calhoun-Ritchie-Doddridge-Mingo-Logan-Boone-Gilmer- 639 AM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, the western lowlands and portions of central lowlands of 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... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. TRM / RG
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1132 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020
VAZ004-070400-
Buchanan-
1132 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL BUCHANAN COUNTY...
At 1132 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Big Rock, or
near Grundy, moving southeast at 15 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Grundy, Roseann and Vansant.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They can relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Charleston West Virginia.
LAT...LON 3734 8221 3739 8215 3737 8202 3730 8199
3723 8206
TIME...MOT...LOC 0332Z 297DEG 14KT 3733 8214
HARTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1218 AM EDT Fri Aug 7 2020
VAZ003-004-070445-
Dickenson-Buchanan-
1218 AM EDT Fri Aug 7 2020
...HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN DICKENSON AND WEST CENTRAL
BUCHANAN COUNTIES...
At 1216 AM EDT, persistent thunderstorms with heavy rainfall
continue to slowly move across northwestern Dickenson and west
central Buchanan counties. Rainfall amount of 1 to 2 inches in an
hour will be possible with these storms. This may result in isolated
high water impacts, particularly for poor drainage and typical flood
prone areas.
Locations impacted include...
Clintwood, Haysi, Breaks Interstate and John Flannagan Lake.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.
Do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the
roadway. The water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross
safely. Move to higher ground.
LAT...LON 3722 8252 3724 8245 3727 8235 3728 8234
3728 8232 3730 8231 3737 8221 3725 8216
3713 8253
TIME...MOT...LOC 0416Z 255DEG 13KT 3723 8241
HARTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
104 AM EDT Fri Aug 7 2020
VAZ003-004-070530-
Dickenson-Buchanan-
104 AM EDT Fri Aug 7 2020
...HEAVY RAIN CONTINUES TO IMPACT DICKENSON AND BUCHANAN COUNTIES...
At 101 AM EDT, thunderstorms with heavy rainfall continue to impact
portions of Dickenson and Buchanan counties. Many areas have
received 1 to 2 inches of rain so far tonight, with another inch
possible. This may result in isolated high water impacts,
particularly for poor drainage areas and other typical low lying
flood prone areas.
Locations impacted include...
Grundy, Haysi, McClure, Nora and Vansant.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
these thunderstorms pass.
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.
Do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the
roadway. The water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross
safely. Move to higher ground.
LAT...LON 3700 8241 3708 8247 3716 8230 3721 8234
3733 8203 3727 8198 3721 8208 3715 8210
TIME...MOT...LOC 0501Z 246DEG 28KT 3727 8207
HARTThe Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 114 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:43 UTC.
1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Looney Fork flooded, closing a section of State Route 612.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, 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: 901231.