A passing upper level disturbance with additional contribution from preceding hot and muggy conditions led to strong to severe thunderstorms on the afternoon of July 18th. In the span of around 45 minutes, damaging wind gusts swept through Greenup County and led to numerous areas of downed trees.
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 passing upper level disturbance with additional contribution from preceding hot and muggy conditions led to strong to severe thunderstorms on the afternoon of July 18th. In the span of around 45 minutes, damaging wind gusts swept through Greenup County and led to numerous areas of downed trees. The quick pace of storms allowed activity to quiet down quickly in eastern Kentucky as convection pressed eastward.
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 Jul 18, 3:12 PM EST, 1 hour 29 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 412 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 .SYNOPSIS... Unsettled summer weather continues much of the work week, as disturbances transit the region. A change to drier and less humid weather is expected this weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 410 PM Tuesday... Did a quick update as PoPs were currently too high. However, shower and thunderstorm coverage will increase rapidly this afternoon into this evening, as a short wave trough over the Tennessee and lower Ohio Valley heads into the middle Ohio Valley, and acts on ample instability and shear to produce strong to potentially severe thunderstorms. The short wave was currently manifest in two convective complexes, the lead one moving into eastern Kentucky which is likely to be the main focus for at least southern portions of the middle Ohio Valley this afternoon and evening, and a more intense complex, its east or slightly south of east motion taking it south of the forecast area tonight. Meanwhile, the lead complex should start losing intensity as it moves into the central Appalachians in tandem with the causative short wave tonight. As of 135 PM Tuesday... Subsidence in the wake of a long wave trough axis that passed overhead this morning gives away to ascent associated with an approaching upper level speed max this afternoon. Beneath this ascent, mainly clear skies through most of the morning and early afternoon have allowed surface temperatures to rise into the lower 80s amidst dew points in the low to mid 60s. Despite relatively weak lapse rates overhead owing to ridging over the western US keeping a greedy grip on the elevated mixed layer, this should still yield 1000-1500J/kg MLCAPE across NE KY, SE OH, and west central portions of WV. As the aforementioned speed max approaches, deep layer shear will increase to around 35-40KTs yielding a mix of super- cellular and multi-cellular storm modes. Initial discrete convection could contain a risk for hail/wind/locally heavy rain, but as the column saturates with the aforementioned stronger flow/ascent approaching should see the severe hail threat dwindle as convection grows up scale. The main threat at that point will be the locally heavy rain, with heavy rain from last night compromising swaths of soils, especially south of Charleston and Parkersburg. Probability of exceedance of the suppressed flash flood guidance generally doesn't support a flash flood watch, but if several storms move over one of these compromised areas could see a couple flash flood warnings being needed tonight. A weakly supported cold front will slowly sag south across the region overnight which may continue to support some light showers and/or drizzle. With plenty of cloud cover overnight, would not expect dense fog, but with very moist boundary layer will likely see at least some mix of visibility reductions and low stratus heading into Wednesday morning. Less convective coverage is expected Wednesday, focused primarily around the aforementioned frontal boundary that will begin to be shunted back to the north as a warm from during the afternoon. Given weak flow and somewhat lesser column moisture, the threats for severe will be low, and any flooding threat would be extremely isolated (contingent on a storm sitting over an urban area or one of the aforementioned areas that saw heavy rain yesterday). Highs Wednesday across the lowlands will generally be in the lower to mid 80s. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 250 PM Tuesday... Unsettled weather will continue through the latter half of the work week in the form of periodic showers and thunderstorms. A stagnant surface boundary lifts north of the region Wednesday night in advance of a slowly approaching cold front that is progged to cross Friday morning from the west. Shower and thunderstorm activity will increase Thursday afternoon/evening courtesy of moisture advection in advance of the front. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible, particularly across western portions of the CWA closer to the arriving front. Much of the CWA is under a Marginal Risk for severe weather, with portions of the Mid-Ohio Valley under a Slight Risk. The main hazards will be damaging wind gusts, hail, and locally heavy rainfall, potentially resulting in localized flash flooding. Rain chances will linger throughout the day on Friday, with dry weather building in Friday night as high pressure gradually shifts eastward. Seasonable temperatures are progged for Thursday, with a few degrees below normal on Friday. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 250 PM Tuesday... High pressure will gradually traverse the region this weekend into early next week, resulting in drier and less humid conditions across the area. The chance for rain increases at the start of the new work week courtesy of return flow and moisture advection as high pressure moves east of the region. Seasonably cool high temperatures on Saturday will warm to near normal by Monday amid a decent amount of sunshine. && .AVIATION /20Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 135 PM Tuesday... Low level moisture lifts into a SCT-BKN cumulus field this afternoon, with isolated convection already starting to sprout across the north this afternoon. Additional convection is expected to blossom as an upper level disturbance approaches late this afternoon into this evening bringing a chance for thunderstorms to all terminals. Very heavy rain with any convective cores will be capable of briefly reducing visibility to IFR, but will only dip to 3SM in the TS TEMPOs for now. Storms are expected to continue well into the overnight hours, but should settle down by daybreak on Wednesday. MVFR/IFR BKN/OVC cloudiness overnight will help to limit fog formation, but given a very moist boundary layer will see at least some patchy fog at the terminals heading into Wednesday morning. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Convective coverage may vary from the forecast this afternoon/evening. Fog coverage may vary overnight tonight. 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 L HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H M BKW CONSISTENCY M M H H H H H H H H H H EKN CONSISTENCY M M H H H H H H H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY M H H H H H H H H H L M CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H AFTER 18Z WEDNESDAY... IFR possible in showers/thunderstorms Thursday into Thursday night. IFR also possible in fog each morning from Thursday through Sunday. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...JP/GW NEAR TERM...TRM/JP SHORT TERM...GW LONG TERM...GW AVIATION...JP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 235 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>011- 013>020-024>034-039-040-515>526-191845- 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- 235 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia and much of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. There is a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon into the overnight, with the main threats being damaging winds, hail and locally heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible on Thursday into Thursday night, with the main threats being damaging winds, hail, and heavy rain. Localized high water issues are possible through Thursday night in locations affected by multiple rounds of rainfall or slow moving thunderstorms. .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.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1218 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1254 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NE Charleston 38.38N 81.58W
07/18/2023 M43 MPH Kanawha WV ASOS
ASOS station KCRW Charleston Airport.
&&
GWPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1244 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 PM Flash Flood 5 W Birch River 38.49N 80.84W
07/15/2023 Clay WV Public
Widen Dille Rd impassable for a time with
water approaching house and washing out a
couple of driveways. Report from Clay Co
CERT.
&&
ABESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
344 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023
VAZ003-004-182030-
Dickenson VA-Buchanan VA-
344 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Dickenson and southwestern Buchanan Counties through 430 PM EDT...
At 343 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Trammel, or 9 miles southwest of Davenport, moving east at 15 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...
Davenport, Trammel and Nora.
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 3698 8240 3719 8228 3714 8193 3713 8194
3712 8198 3713 8199 3712 8200 3709 8202
3707 8202 3705 8205 3704 8208 3705 8210
3704 8212 3704 8217 3699 8226 3700 8227
3700 8229 3696 8235
TIME...MOT...LOC 1943Z 289DEG 12KT 3701 8226
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
14Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
445 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023
KYZ101>103-105-182130-
Boyd KY-Greenup KY-Carter KY-Lawrence KY-
445 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Boyd,
Greenup, northwestern Lawrence and Carter Counties through 530 PM
EDT...
At 445 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Gates, or near Morehead, moving northeast at 65 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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, Cannonsburg, Grayson Lake State Park, Yatesville
Lake State Park, Carter Caves State Park, Greenup, South Shore,
Webbville, Princess, Coalton, Denton, Gesling, Greenbo Lake, Oldtown,
Naples, Rush, Load, Letitia and Franklin Furnace.
This includes Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 150 and
185.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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 3834 8323 3843 8323 3855 8310 3866 8305
3876 8289 3860 8285 3856 8279 3819 8260
3817 8264 3813 8262 3806 8295 3811 8290
3811 8289 3817 8292 3817 8298 3820 8301
3818 8305 3827 8317 3819 8326 3832 8334
TIME...MOT...LOC 2045Z 231DEG 55KT 3822 8334
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
14Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
456 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023
OHZ084>086-182130-
Meigs OH-Gallia OH-Vinton OH-
456 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Meigs,
northeastern Gallia and southeastern Vinton Counties through 530 PM
EDT...
At 455 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southeast of Mcarthur, moving southeast 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...
Rutland, Wilkesville, Dyesville, Salem Center, Radcliffe,
Harrisonville, Dexter and Carpenter.
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 3923 8237 3921 8227 3920 8227 3920 8217
3918 8205 3894 8220 3913 8243 3914 8242
3914 8245 3916 8247
TIME...MOT...LOC 2055Z 294DEG 18KT 3915 8236
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
14Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
518 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023
OHZ085-086-WVZ007-182145-
Meigs OH-Gallia OH-Mason WV-
518 PM EDT Tue Jul 18 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Meigs,
northeastern Gallia and north central Mason Counties through 545 PM
EDT...
At 518 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Rutland, moving southeast at 30 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...
Pomeroy, Rutland, New Haven, Mason, Middleport, Syracuse, Hartford
City, Cheshire, Lakin, Dyesville, Harrisonville, Dexter, Carpenter
and Kyger.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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 3903 8190 3889 8206 3908 8232 3911 8232
3920 8223
TIME...MOT...LOC 2118Z 304DEG 25KT 3908 8220
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
14The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 111 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:41 UTC.
8 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown down along Beechy Creek near the Beechy township.
Several trees were blown down near the town of Bennett.
Downed trees in Greenup resulted in compromised power lines, which resulted in local customers to be without power for a brief period of time.
Near the town of Bellefonte, an area of trees were blown down.
Trees were blown down at the intersection of Smith Branch Road and US Highway 23 South near Greenup.
Multiple trees and power lines were blown down in the Bellefonte township.
Several trees were blown down near the Russell Soccer Complex in Flatwoods.
A tree was blown down onto the road outside the town of Russell.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, July 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: 1104005, 1104006, 1104009, 1104010, 1104007, 1104011, 1104012, 1104013.