Showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front on September 22nd which passed through West Virginia over the course of the day. Clearing along northeast West Virginia during the first half of the day allowed for ample daytime heating leading up into the afternoon.
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 ahead of a cold front on September 22nd which passed through West Virginia over the course of the day. Clearing along northeast West Virginia during the first half of the day allowed for ample daytime heating leading up into the afternoon. This combined with forcing from the cold front allowed for damaging winds with a few stronger thunderstorms which led to multiple trees and power lines blowing down. In Ritchie County, one particular storm blew down multiple trees along Neeley Hollow Road, one of which fell onto a mobile home. Local airports in the area observed wind gusts of 30-44 miles per hour during the late morning and early afternoon hours.
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 Sep 22, 12:47 PM EST, 43 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 147 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021 .SYNOPSIS... Strong cold front spreads showers and thunderstorms through this evening. Cooler and drier Thursday and Friday. An upper level disturbance may affect the area on Saturday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 1240 PM Wednesday... Overall no significant changes to forecast thinking. SPC has cut back the marginal risk from western zones as front already through those areas and knocking of the office door as of writing of this discussion. Surface low over area, and upper low continuing to deepen across midwest at this hour. Still looking at severe potential this afternoon and early evening out ahead of the front...eastern half of CWA. Latest satellite shows decent breaks have formed across eastern half of CWA out ahead of front, and spc mesoanalysis suggests about 1000-1500 J/kg cape. 0-6km Shear appears to be about 40 kts out ahead of front. Damaging winds continue to be the primary threat, with the possibility of supercells or bowing lines forming, along with the possibility of a brief spin up not out of the question. Precipitation will quickly taper off this evening with passage of the front. Temperatures behind the front are already falling, with lower to mid 50s reported in western Ohio and eastern Kentucky. Although bulk of precipitation will taper off, plenty of low cloud cover, and areas of light precipitation will continue to linger through at least the first half of Thursday, along with gusty winds at times. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... As of 310 AM Wednesday... By the start of this period late Thursday morning, post-frontal showers, isolated in nature, will likely linger into the afternoon for the lowlands and slightly longer for the northeast mountains. A cut-off upper low is forecast to be positioned northwest of the CWA and traversing north-northeast away from the area through the day taking most of the shower potential with it by early Thursday evening. A few showers will still be possible in the northeast mountains, but those chances will be eliminated by very early Friday morning at the latest as sfc high pressure builds in from the southwest. Cold air will surge in behind this system causing temperatures to barely reach the mid 60's, with most areas on the low side of the 60's. Overnight temperatures dive even further below seasonable to an astonishing low to mid 40's, with slightly lower measurements in the mountains with a few peaks registering close to freezing, believe it or not. Ample amount of radiational cooling under mostly clear skies with be the root cause of this happening. Most of the short and long range models are on board with the next feature sliding into the CWA by midday Saturday. This feature, an upper level trough, will possibly drop down a weak frontal boundary that long range models have sweeping through the northern half of the area. This will leave chances in the forecast, however they should not last long (Saturday evening) courtesy of sfc high pressure. Most of the activity should be confined to the northeast mountains who might have to endure possible showers into Sunday morning. I was inclined to limit chances to just slight chances due to model disagreement on intensity and positioning of this feature for this time range. Temperatures will make somewhat of a rebound toward seasonable, but miss the shot by about 5 degrees off the highs and almost 10 degrees for the lows going into Sunday. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 145 PM Wednesday... The long term period is expected to start out with a shortwave already east of the area and surface high pressure in control. high pressure and ridging are expected to result in dry weather through Monday. Models then indicate a shortwave approaches the northern portion of the area, possibly bringing showers and storms Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night; however, have kept PoPs low as some models indicate this system may remain further north. High pressure and drier air build back into the area following this system, and an upper level ridge over the central US starts shifting east into the area. This is expected to result in quieter weather for the rest of the work week. Temperatures are expected to warm from below normal on Sunday, to seasonable early in the work week. Temperatures may cool again mid-week. && .AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 125 PM Wednesday... A strong cold front moving through the area will shift winds to the west, with gusty winds and heavy showers developing. Expect sustained southwesterly to westerly winds in the teens, with gusts in the 20 to 30 kt range. In addition, expect widespread MVFR conditions and local IFR conditions to form, particularly during rain. Isolated thunder continues to be possible through 00Z, mainly at eastern terminals...including KPKB, KCKB and KEKN. After 00Z, expect a decrease in precipitation coverage and intensity. However, widespread MVFR cigs will continue, along with the development of IFR/LIFR cigs area wide particularly after 05Z. Some improvement to MVFR expected after 14Z Thursday. Winds will also decrease in intensity after 00Z, but occasional gusts in the teen to 20kt range will be possible for the remainder of the TAF period. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of showers and associated restrictions may vary from forecast. Development of IFR or worse cigs tonight may vary from forecast. 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 M H H H H H H H H H HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H M M BKW CONSISTENCY H M H H H H H H H M H M EKN CONSISTENCY M H H H M H H H H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY M H M M M M H H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H M H H H H H H H AFTER 18Z THURSDAY... No widespread IFR conditions expected at this time. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...SL/JLB NEAR TERM...SL SHORT TERM...JZ LONG TERM...JLB AVIATION...SL
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 205 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021 OHZ067-076-WVZ009>011-016>020-029>032-231815- Morgan-Washington-Wood-Pleasants-Tyler-Roane-Wirt-Calhoun-Ritchie- Doddridge-Gilmer-Lewis-Harrison-Taylor- 205 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Ohio, and portions of central West Virginia and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. A slight risk for severe thunderstorms exists this afternoon. Damaging winds are the primary hazard. In addition, localized flooding is possible due to heavy downpours. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. 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. OHZ066-075-085-WVZ007-008-013>015-025>028-033-034-039-040-515>526- 231815- Perry-Athens-Meigs-Mason-Jackson WV-Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha-Logan- Boone-Clay-Braxton-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- 205 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Ohio and much of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could contain damaging wind gusts. In addition, localized flooding is possible due to heavy downpours. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. 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-OHZ083-084-086-087-VAZ003-004-WVZ005-006-024-231815- Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Jackson OH-Vinton-Gallia-Lawrence OH- Dickenson-Buchanan-Wayne-Cabell-Mingo- 205 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, portions of southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia, and portions of southern West Virginia and western West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. 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
1054 AM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021
KYZ105-WVZ005-006-013-014-024>026-221600-
Lawrence KY-Boone WV-Lincoln WV-Logan WV-Mingo WV-Wayne WV-Cabell WV-
Putnam WV-
1054 AM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021
...A line of strong thunderstorms will impact portions of eastern
Lawrence, southern Cabell, Mingo, southwestern Putnam, Lincoln,
Logan, Wayne and northwestern Boone Counties through NOON EDT...
At 1053 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Louisa to Gulnare to Myra. Movement was
northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Williamson, Louisa, Logan, Wayne, Hamlin, Beech Fork State Park,
Yatesville Lake State Park, Hurricane, Barboursville, Milton,
Chapmanville, Man, Fort Gay, Delbarton, Ranger, Gilbert Creek,
Burnaugh, Mount Gay-Shamrock, Harts and Gill.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 19 and 37.
Route 119 between mile markers 1 and 49.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3850 8210 3848 8206 3852 8206 3856 8198
3807 8186 3760 8184 3753 8197 3753 8205
3756 8213 3765 8218 3763 8221 3768 8230
3776 8231 3781 8240 3788 8242 3795 8250
3795 8258 3789 8260 3789 8267 3821 8270
TIME...MOT...LOC 1453Z 229DEG 35KT 3811 8262 3762 8256 3730 8260
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1214 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021
VAZ004-WVZ015-024>026-033-034-515-221715-
Buchanan VA-Wyoming WV-Northwest Raleigh WV-McDowell WV-Boone WV-
Kanawha WV-Logan WV-Mingo WV-
1214 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of north central
Buchanan, northwestern McDowell, south central Kanawha, southeastern
Mingo, northwestern Raleigh, Logan, Wyoming and Boone Counties
through 115 PM EDT...
At 1213 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Chapmanville to near Gilbert Creek to 6
miles southeast of Woodman. Movement was northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Madison, Logan, Pineville, Chesapeake, Marmet, Oceana, Belle,
Chapmanville, Cedar Grove, East Bank, Glasgow, Man, Van, Gilbert
Creek, Mallory, Hanover, R.d. Bailey Lake, Bald Knob, Chief Logan
State and Amherstdale-Robinette.
This includes the following highways...
West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 75 and 90.
Route 119 between mile markers 33 and 54.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3758 8196 3801 8204 3803 8191 3804 8193
3805 8197 3833 8143 3763 8132 3738 8200
TIME...MOT...LOC 1613Z 238DEG 26KT 3798 8198 3761 8191 3748 8193
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
109 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021
WVZ015-026-034-515-517-518-221800-
Wyoming WV-Northwest Raleigh WV-Boone WV-Kanawha WV-
Southeast Fayette WV-Northwest Fayette WV-
109 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Kanawha, northwestern
Raleigh, north central Wyoming, western Fayette and eastern Boone
Counties through 200 PM EDT...
At 108 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Charleston to 10 miles north of Twin Falls
State Park. Movement was northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Charleston, Fayetteville, South Charleston, Oak Hill, Montgomery,
Chesapeake, Marmet, Mount Hope, Ansted, Belle, Clendenin, Cedar
Grove, East Bank, Glasgow, Smithers, Gauley Bridge, Pratt, Pinch,
Bradley and Powellton.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 79 between mile markers 1 and 21.
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 96 and 106.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 54 and 57.
West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 47 and 95.
Route 119 between mile markers 72 and 80.
Route 19 between mile markers 1 and 19.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall possible with these storms and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3767 8151 3833 8177 3855 8142 3854 8135
3854 8131 3827 8123 3823 8119 3823 8116
3791 8103 3788 8110 3788 8113 3784 8117
TIME...MOT...LOC 1708Z 231DEG 23KT 3832 8166 3778 8145
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
118 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021
OHZ075-076-085-WVZ008-009-016-017-221800-
Washington OH-Athens OH-Meigs OH-Jackson WV-Roane WV-Wirt WV-Wood WV-
118 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern Meigs,
western Washington, southeastern Athens, Wirt, northwestern Roane,
Jackson and Wood Counties through 200 PM EDT...
At 117 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Coolville to near Kenna. Movement was
northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph. Torrential rainfall.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Heavy rainfall may lead to localized
flooding and ponding of water in poor drainage areas.
Locations impacted include...
Parkersburg, Marietta, Belpre, Ripley, Elizabeth, Coolville, Forked
Run State Park, Vienna, Ravenswood, Williamstown, Sandyville,
Washington, Mineralwells, Lubeck, Kenna, Boaz, North Hills, Lowell,
Reedy and Portland.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 125 and 132, and
between mile markers 139 and 186.
Route 50 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 17.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3958 8149 3894 8130 3865 8165 3914 8186
3959 8157 3959 8155
TIME...MOT...LOC 1717Z 211DEG 27KT 3919 8174 3874 8160
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
154 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021
WVZ016-018-027>029-516>520-221845-
Calhoun WV-Southeast Nicholas WV-Clay WV-Roane WV-
Southeast Raleigh WV-Southeast Fayette WV-Northwest Nicholas WV-
Gilmer WV-Braxton WV-Northwest Fayette WV-
154 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern Calhoun,
Nicholas, southwestern Gilmer, western Braxton, southeastern Roane,
Clay and central Fayette Counties through 245 PM EDT...
At 154 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Amma to near Oak Hill. Movement was
northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Summersville, Fayetteville, Glenville, Sutton, Clay, Babcock State
Park, Oak Hill, Ansted, Gassaway, Gauley Bridge, Glen, Hawks Nest
State Park, Birch River, Big Otter, Cedar Creek State Park, Wallback,
Craigsville, Piney View, Harrison and Thurmond.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 79 between mile markers 30 and 62.
Route 19 between mile markers 11 and 68.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Heavy rainfall is possible with these storms and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3781 8112 3849 8126 3853 8120 3853 8126
3899 8079 3814 8062 3808 8071 3810 8088
3808 8089 3806 8087 3806 8080 3804 8083
3802 8080
TIME...MOT...LOC 1754Z 224DEG 28KT 3850 8121 3793 8109
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
201 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021
OHZ076-WVZ009-010-016>019-029-221845-
Washington OH-Calhoun WV-Roane WV-Wirt WV-Ritchie WV-Wood WV-
Gilmer WV-Pleasants WV-
201 PM EDT Wed Sep 22 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of central Washington,
Pleasants, Calhoun, Ritchie, northwestern Gilmer, Wirt, northeastern
Roane and eastern Wood Counties through 245 PM EDT...
At 200 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Beverly to near Arnoldsburg. Movement was
northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 mph. Torrential rainfall.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Heavy rainfall may lead to localized
flooding and ponding of water in poor drainage areas.
Locations impacted include...
Parkersburg, Marietta, Spencer, Harrisville, St. Marys, Elizabeth,
Grantsville, Vienna, Williamstown, Pennsboro, Belmont, Arnoldsburg,
North Bend State Park, Boaz, Mineralwells, Newport, Matamoras, North
Hills, Lowell and Ellenboro.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 174 and 186.
Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 1 and 17.
Route 50 in West Virginia between mile markers 9 and 43.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3960 8139 3959 8135 3959 8128 3961 8127
3958 8126 3957 8109 3952 8107 3946 8112
3946 8109 3948 8106 3947 8104 3942 8101
3934 8101 3935 8098 3901 8082 3865 8128
3953 8164 3959 8158 3958 8148 3965 8147
TIME...MOT...LOC 1800Z 221DEG 28KT 3953 8154 3880 8122
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
20The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 123 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:29 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Near the town of Ellenboro, multiple trees were blown down along Neeley Hollow Road. One of these trees fell onto the roof of a mobile home.
One tree was blown down along Route 18 near the town of Middlebourne.
A tree was blown down along Smith Ridge Road to the southwest of the city of Sistersville.
Power lines were blown down, which led to a pole fire, near the intersection of Desert Road and Arvilla Road near the community of Arvilla.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in West Virginia in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in West Virginia, September 2021
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: 975800, 975797, 975798, 975799.