A low pressure system approached the area on May 21st, which allowed for the development of a few showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening across the Ohio Valley. A stronger storm moved through northeast Kentucky which produced damaging winds and caused several trees to be blown down in Carter County.
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 low pressure system approached the area on May 21st, which allowed for the development of a few showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening across the Ohio Valley. A stronger storm moved through northeast Kentucky which produced damaging winds and caused several trees to be blown down in Carter County.
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 21, 2:17 PM EST, 4 hours 14 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 317 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022 .SYNOPSIS... Hot weather today with showers and storms developing in the evening. A cold front crosses Sunday, with more storms expected. Unsettled weather may continue parts of next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 315 PM Saturday... In accordance with encroaching thunderstorms, some of which already posing a concern for severe weather, we have hoisted a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Perry County. This line of storms will brush Perry and perhaps a few of our other southeast Ohio counties heading into the evening hours. Will keep a close eye on radar trends over the next few hours to see if additional counties will need to be added to the Watch, which currently encompasses much of central and eastern Ohio. As of 140 PM Saturday... Dry and warm conditions this afternoon will be followed by increasing chances for showers this evening and overnight as a few disturbances move through the flow aloft. The upper ridge that supported our warm days is currently centered over the Atlantic, just off the coastal Carolinas. Several disturbances will work upstream of the ridge returning clouds across the region this afternoon. Stronger waves of energy propagating north from southeastern states will bring increased chances for rain showers heading into this evening and overnight. A few thunderstorms will be possible, supported by sufficient instability. The main threats from storms tonight will be locally strong winds and heavy rain. A second system moving from the northwest will bring a cold front through on Sunday. Showers and thunderstorms will accompany this front with stronger storms possible along the mountains during the afternoon. Locally heavy rainfall may cause water issues for a few locations. Westerly winds will be gusty along the front. Climate Sites Records for Today: KCRW (97 in 1934), KHTS (95 in 1934), KBKW (90 in 1941), KEKN (92 in 1911), KPKB (93 in 1934) and KCKB (90 in 1934). && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... As of 215 PM Saturday... Cold front should be to the east of the CWA Sunday night, with just a few lingering showers/storms in its wake, mainly in eastern zones. Otherwise, most of the area should dry out on Monday, but there will still be a threat of lingering precipitation, mainly across the south and east from a passing shortwave. Could see subsequent forecasts dry out western zones more from current blend of models if trends hold. Much cooler Monday in wake of front, and with potential for showery, cloudy conditions, most areas will top out only in the upper 60s to lower 70s. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 1210 PM Saturday... Weather on Tuesday overall remains a bit uncertain, but still could be seeing some shower/storm activity particularly afternoon hours from a passing shortwave to our south. Maintained the chance pops from the blend of models during this period. Weather becomes increasingly active as we progress into the middle of the week and beyond, as an upper trough deepens across the central U.S., with a series of lows/waves moving northeast out of the southern plains into the Great Lakes region. Good southerly flow tapping into Gulf moisture during the period will mean showers and storms with heavy downpours. At this point, Thursday looks to be the best day for shower/storm activity, and could be looking at the potential for strong storms during the period. Precipitation will gradually start to taper off towards the end of the forecast period as the system moves away from the area. && .AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 150 PM Saturday... VFR conditions are expected to prevail through early tonight before diminishing to MVFR ceilings for much of the region Sunday morning as a front moves through from the west. A ridge of high pressure will hold off shower development this afternoon; however, strong upper level waves will work to break it down by evening. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible during the evening and early tonight. The next front moves across on Sunday bringing light to moderate rain showers by morning. Winds will generally be out of the southwest this afternoon with gusts becoming light overnight. Westerly flow increases along the frontal passage during the morning. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Convection along the eastern mountains could produce brief periods of IFR this afternoon and evening. 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 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 EDT 1HRLY 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 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 SUNDAY... IFR possible in showers and thunderstorms on Sunday. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...KH/SL NEAR TERM...KH/MEK SHORT TERM...SL LONG TERM...SL AVIATION...KH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 320 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022 OHZ066-221930- Perry- 320 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 255 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Ohio. .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...Sunday through Friday. The majority of the area is under a marginal risk for excessive rainfall on Sunday. Strong thunderstorms can produce heavy downpours with a few localized water issues 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. OHZ067-075-076-083>085-VAZ003-004-WVZ033-034-515-516-221930- Morgan-Athens-Washington-Jackson OH-Vinton-Meigs-Dickenson-Buchanan- McDowell-Wyoming-Northwest Raleigh-Southeast Raleigh- 320 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia, and portions of southeast West Virginia and southern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. There is a marginal risk of severe storms this afternoon and evening, with damaging wind and hail as the primary threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. The majority of the area is under a marginal risk for excessive rainfall on Sunday. Strong thunderstorms can produce heavy downpours with a few localized water issues 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. KYZ101>103-105-OHZ086-087-WVZ005>011-013>020-024>032-039-040-517>526- 221930- Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Gallia-Lawrence OH-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-Upshur-Barbour-Northwest Fayette- Southeast Fayette-Northwest Nicholas-Southeast Nicholas- Northwest Webster-Southeast Webster-Northwest Pocahontas- Southeast Pocahontas-Northwest Randolph-Southeast Randolph- 320 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, portions of southeast Ohio and much of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. There is a marginal risk for excessive rainfall on Sunday. Strong thunderstorms can produce heavy downpours with a few localized water issues 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
535 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022
OHZ066-067-075-083-084-212200-
Jackson OH-Athens OH-Morgan OH-Perry OH-Vinton OH-
535 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Perry, northwestern
Jackson, western Morgan, Vinton and western Athens Counties through
600 PM EDT...
At 535 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hocking Hills State Park, or near Logan, moving northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Athens, Nelsonville, New Lexington, Glouster, Mcarthur, Somerset,
Shawnee, Lake Hope State Park, Perry State Forest, Thornport, Harbor
Hills, Crooksville, Chauncey, Thornville, Hamden, Junction City, New
Straitsville, Corning, Buchtel and Jacksonville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
southeastern Ohio.
&&
LAT...LON 3991 8217 3982 8217 3982 8208 3977 8207
3975 8187 3929 8203 3909 8275 3937 8271
3939 8229 3947 8228 3947 8217 3954 8216
3956 8226 3959 8226 3960 8238 3974 8236
3974 8241 3983 8240 3984 8247 3993 8246
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 236DEG 49KT 3944 8241
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
11Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
619 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022
WVZ033-034-515-516-212245-
Wyoming WV-Northwest Raleigh WV-McDowell WV-Southeast Raleigh WV-
619 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
McDowell, central Raleigh and central Wyoming Counties through 645 PM
EDT...
At 619 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Twin Falls State Park, or near Pineville, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Beckley, Welch, Pineville, Mullens, Mabscott, Sophia, Crab Orchard,
Dry Creek, Macarthur, Shady Spring, Beaver, Coal City, Twin Falls
State Park, Daniels, Prosperity, Lester, Rhodell, Ghent, Wolf Pen and
Josephine.
This includes the following highways...
West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 28 and 50.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 120 and 123.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3760 8170 3787 8125 3766 8104 3764 8107
3763 8107 3761 8106 3759 8109 3759 8112
3760 8114 3758 8120 3753 8121 3742 8158
TIME...MOT...LOC 2219Z 236DEG 49KT 3760 8148
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
11Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
621 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022
WVZ516-518>520-212315-
Southeast Nicholas WV-Southeast Raleigh WV-Southeast Fayette WV-
Northwest Nicholas WV-
621 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Nicholas, eastern Raleigh and southeastern Fayette Counties through
715 PM EDT...
At 621 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Rainelle, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Richwood, Rainelle, Craigsville, Bingham, Meadow Bridge and Nettie.
This includes Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 135
and 137.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3782 8100 3805 8085 3806 8081 3809 8079
3810 8082 3838 8064 3836 8063 3836 8061
3827 8044 3808 8071 3804 8083 3802 8080
3798 8077 3795 8081 3788 8076 3782 8094
3777 8089 3774 8092
TIME...MOT...LOC 2221Z 219DEG 24KT 3791 8085
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
11Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
644 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022
WVZ520>526-212345-
Southeast Webster WV-Southeast Nicholas WV-Southeast Pocahontas WV-
Northwest Randolph WV-Northwest Pocahontas WV-Northwest Webster WV-
Southeast Randolph WV-
644 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Randolph, western Pocahontas, east central Nicholas and southeastern
Webster Counties through 745 PM EDT...
At 644 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Addison (Webster Springs), or near Webster Springs, moving northeast
at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Marlinton, Webster Springs, Addison (Webster Springs), Mill Creek,
Dailey, Snowshoe, Mingo, Beverly, Durbin, Hillsboro, Womelsdorf
(Coalton), Huttonsville, Monterville, Cheat Bridge, Cranberry
Mountain Nature Center, Slaty Fork, Helvetia, Pickens, Waneta and
Edray.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3874 7966 3805 8027 3811 8036 3823 8036
3826 8043 3823 8049 3831 8056 3832 8055
3833 8056 3875 8016 3875 8012 3879 8011
3893 7998
TIME...MOT...LOC 2244Z 210DEG 16KT 3842 8033
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
11Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
654 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022
KYZ102-220000-
Carter KY-
654 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Carter
County through 800 PM EDT...
At 654 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Cranston, or near Morehead, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Grayson, Olive Hill, Carter Caves State Park, Gesling, Carter, Grahn,
Soldier and Globe.
This includes Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 149 and
171.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3833 8332 3833 8327 3834 8323 3835 8324
3842 8324 3847 8319 3849 8319 3850 8317
3848 8311 3836 8292 3824 8314 3827 8318
3823 8322 3819 8323 3819 8326 3822 8329
3821 8330 3831 8334
TIME...MOT...LOC 2254Z 247DEG 17KT 3826 8345
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
11Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
721 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022
WVZ518>520-212345-
Southeast Nicholas WV-Southeast Fayette WV-Northwest Nicholas WV-
721 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Nicholas and east central Fayette Counties through 745 PM EDT...
At 720 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Bingham, or near Rainelle, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Summersville, Craigsville, Kesslers Cross Lanes, Nettie, Canvas and
Mount Nebo.
This includes Route 19 between mile markers 31 and 41.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3813 8064 3808 8071 3810 8083 3809 8088
3808 8089 3806 8086 3806 8080 3804 8083
3801 8079 3797 8087 3808 8091 3810 8087
3813 8088 3812 8090 3816 8094 3819 8094
3826 8098 3831 8063
TIME...MOT...LOC 2320Z 181DEG 15KT 3804 8084
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
11The Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 77 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:30 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple trees were uprooted and blown down along State Highway 174.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, May 2022
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: 1016313.