Numerous showers and thunderstorms were observed in northeast Kentucky on the afternoon of August 7th. This came as the result of an encroaching cold front and preceding unstable conditions.
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.
Numerous showers and thunderstorms were observed in northeast Kentucky on the afternoon of August 7th. This came as the result of an encroaching cold front and preceding unstable conditions. Dew points rose into the low to upper 60s that afternoon, allowing for developing storms to thrive as they crossed through Kentucky.
While most of the storms imposed damaging wind gusts and resulting downed trees, one storm in particular spawned an EF1 tornado. NWS Charleston investigated the resulting damaging the next day and determined that the tornado initially touched down east of Yatesville Lake and continued onward to the Kentucky and West Virginia line. On the Kentucky side, this tornado caused roughly a 400 yard wide swath of extensive tree damage in the Louisa area, along with two overturned semi trailers.
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, 1:17 PM EST, 1 minute earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 217 PM EDT Mon Aug 7 2023 .SYNOPSIS... Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. Cold front crosses tonight. Turning briefly drier by the middle of the week, with rain potential returning Thursday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 158 PM Monday... * TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 6 PM Numerous showers and thunderstorms can be seen across the region this afternoon, and a Tornado Watch remains in effect across the region through 6 PM this evening. Center of low pressure currently resides to the northwest near the Ohio/Indiana boarder, with the cold front located across central Kentucky. All severe hazards remain possible (damaging winds, large hail, flooding downpours, and a tornado or two) through this evening. The cold front is expected to cross through the region by 06Z tonight and activity will come to an end across the region. The moisture from today's storms may lead to some dense fog across some areas early tomorrow morning. Otherwise, expect a dry, comfortable day tomorrow with clouds and sunshine as high pressure moves overhead. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 330 AM Monday... High pressure and dry air working in on NW'ly breezes should bring a fairly quick end to any lingering showers by around midday Tuesday. However, some low or mid clouds may linger along and just west of the higher terrain through the day. With the strength of the front and trailing high (for this time of year), the pressure gradient will likely maintain gusty winds across the entire area initially, becoming more limited to the higher terrain by Tuesday evening and night. At this point, do not anticipate the higher terrain reaching Wind Advisory criteria, but we could still see gusts over 30kts on the highest ridges through the day on Tuesday. The dry weather and partly to mostly clear skies persist through the night and into the midday portion of Wednesday. Some isolated showers and t-storms may work into the southwestern most slice of the CWA later Wednesday afternoon and evening, but it seems more likely that activity largely holds off until after sunset as the next disturbance tracks east through the Midwest and Lower Ohio Valley. Temps look to remain a bit below normal on Tuesday in the wake of the cold front, with lower elevation highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s, and the mountains in the 60s to lower 70s. A bit of a rebound is expected for Wednesday, with highs closer to normal - low to mid 80s in the lowlands, and upper 60s to mid-70s in the higher terrain. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 345 AM Monday... This next system will push more widespread showers and some embedded thunderstorms in from the west Wednesday night, with likely POPs entering the western part of the CWA by around midnight. The best chance for heavier rain and thunderstorms looks to be during the day Thursday, as the upper-level trough and surface front close in on the CWA. As that trough and surface front slide to the east, shower chances quickly diminish under upper-level ridging and surface high pressure, both of which look to be fairly weak. As such, we can expect at least diurnal shower and t-storm chances for Friday, with the best chances in the mountains. Most of the long-range guidance shows another front impacting us sometime over the weekend. However, timing varies between Friday night and Saturday night, and there's also not much agreement on strength, either, so for now POPs are kept under 50% across the area. As far as temps go, we look to be a fair amount below normal for Thursday, thanks to the expected widespread clouds and rain, and the frontal passage. Highs are currently forecast to remain in the 70s for most of the CWA. Expect a bit of a rebound for Friday with SW'ly breezes developing under at least partially clearing skies. The high degree of uncertainty on next weekend's weather pattern and timing lends itself to significant uncertainty on the temperature forecast, as well. && .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 214 PM Monday... Numerous showers and thunderstorms across the region will continue through this evening. Expect visibilities to be reduced to IFR/MVFR at times in heavy downpours. In addition, severe storms can briefly bring wind gusts up to 55 kts. Low level wind shear will also be possible across some terminals through early this evening. Thunderstorms will largely be out of the area by around 02Z Tuesday as a cold front passes across the region, and some MVFR ceilings may linger behind the front this evening. Then, expect the return of some low ceilings and patchy fog early Tuesday morning with reduced visibilities. Fog should largely be out of the area by 14Z Tuesday with VFR conditions to follow for the rest of the day. Winds will largely remain from the southwest into this evening, becoming west-to-northwesterly behind the cold front early Tuesday morning. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing, intensity, and location of thunderstorms today could vary. Restrictions within these storms may vary from forecast. Restrictions in low ceilings and fog overnight and early Tuesday morning may vary from the 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 H H H H H H H H L L HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H M H H H H M EKN CONSISTENCY H H L H H H H H H H M H PKB CONSISTENCY M H H H H M H H H M H M CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H M H H M H L AFTER 18Z TUESDAY... IFR conditions possible in any heavier showers or thunderstorms into Tuesday morning. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...FK/LTC NEAR TERM...JMC SHORT TERM...FK LONG TERM...FK AVIATION...JMC
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 1101 AM EDT Mon Aug 7 2023 KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>011- 013>020-024>034-039-040-515>526-081515- 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-Southeast Webster-Northwest Pocahontas- Southeast Pocahontas-Northwest Randolph-Southeast Randolph- 1101 AM EDT Mon Aug 7 2023 ...TORNADO WATCH 599 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia and much of 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. Tornado Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. 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.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
151 PM EDT Mon Aug 7 2023
WVZ011-020-031-071815-
Doddridge WV-Harrison WV-Tyler WV-
151 PM EDT Mon Aug 7 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Doddridge, east central Tyler and northwestern Harrison Counties
through 215 PM EDT...
At 151 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Jacksonburg, or 13 miles southeast of Middlebourne,
moving east at 30 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...
Center Point, Sedalia, and Lima.
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 Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for northern West
Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3947 8071 3948 8067 3946 8067 3947 8064
3944 8060 3945 8058 3943 8058 3944 8056
3943 8054 3944 8051 3946 8051 3947 8049
3946 8042 3932 8066 3945 8078 3949 8073
TIME...MOT...LOC 1751Z 249DEG 28KT 3941 8069
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
11Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
153 PM EDT Mon Aug 7 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0142 PM Hail 4 SE Ceredo 38.36N 82.51W
08/07/2023 E0.75 inch Wayne WV Trained Spotter
&&
GWPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
156 PM EDT Mon Aug 7 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0110 PM Hail 4 N Salem 39.34N 80.58W
08/07/2023 E0.50 inch Doddridge WV Public
&&
GWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
200 PM EDT Mon Aug 7 2023
OHZ085-WVZ008-009-016-017-071815-
Meigs OH-Jackson WV-Roane WV-Wirt WV-Wood WV-
200 PM EDT Mon Aug 7 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Meigs,
southwestern Wirt, northwestern Roane, northern Jackson and south
central Wood Counties through 215 PM EDT...
At 200 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Ravenswood, or near Ripley, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny 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...
Ripley, Ravenswood, Sandyville, Reedy, Cottageville, Mount Alto,
Peewee, Evans, Morristown, Rockport, and Leroy.
This includes Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 137
and 163.
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.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for southeastern
Ohio...and western, central and northwestern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3885 8139 3878 8183 3891 8192 3894 8189
3911 8151
TIME...MOT...LOC 1800Z 249DEG 28KT 3889 8176
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
11Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
206 PM EDT Mon Aug 7 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0200 PM Hail Barboursville 38.40N 82.29W
08/07/2023 M1.50 inch Cabell WV Trained Spotter
Trained spotter reported 1.5 inch hail.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
208 PM EDT Mon Aug 7 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0205 PM Hail 2 SE Huntington 38.39N 82.40W
08/07/2023 E1.00 inch Cabell WV Dept of Highways
DOH reports quarter sized hail.
&&
ARBThe Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 101 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:19 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Within the Greenup township, a tree was blown down across State Route 2, taking down phone and cable lines as well. Down the road near Wurtland, another tree fell down onto Leadingham Road near State Route 207.
Multiple trees were blown down in the area of Old Town.
An EF1 tornado touched down just east of Yatesville Lake, uprooting or snapping several large trees on Aspen Drive and on Birch Road. Three houses were damaged by fallen trees on Birch Road with one home suffering extensive damage to the attached garage as a large tree fell on it. The tornado then tracked eastward, skipping along an almost six and a half mile track, crossing US 23 and the Big Sandy River just north of Louisa before continuing into West Virginia. A roughly 400 yard wide swath of rather extensive tree damage occurred on the west side of the Big Sandy River near a logging yard and two semi trailers were overturned at that location.
Multiple trees were blown down on Route 3 in the Fallsburg area.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Kentucky, 2023Warnings in Kentucky, August 2023
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: 1124119, 1124122, 1124201, 1125492.