Beginning on the night of May 29th, a warm front lifted into the vicinity of eastern Kentucky and remained present overhead until being ushered east by a disturbance on the evening of the 30th. Behind this system, a cold front approached from the north and slowly descended southward through the area on the 31st.
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.
Beginning on the night of May 29th, a warm front lifted into the vicinity of eastern Kentucky and remained present overhead until being ushered east by a disturbance on the evening of the 30th. Behind this system, a cold front approached from the north and slowly descended southward through the area on the 31st.
Rounds of rain began on the morning of the 30th and continued to pass through the area overnight. Precipitation then pushed east by the morning of the 31st. One to two inches of rain fell across northeastern Kentucky and caused flash flooding in Greenup and Carter Counties on the 30th. Tygarts Creek also rose above bankfull in the Olive Hill area.
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 30, 6:50 AM EST, 3 hours 21 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Charleston WV
750 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025
.SYNOPSIS...
A potent low brings stout rainfall Friday, with strong storms
possible across the south. Showers/storms linger Saturday. Dry
next week, turning hot by midweek.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 730 AM Friday...
After collaboration with neighbors, we did join in with a Flood
Watch for the northeastern quadrant of our CWA, minus Taylor and
Harrison counties.
As of 255 AM Friday...
Most valleys across central and southern WV, into NE KY and SW
VA appear to have fog or low stratus in them, even in areas that
have had high clouds overhead. Fog is more patchy in nature, or
absent altogether, over most of SE OH and north-central WV,
though some breaks in the clouds may allow a quick deterioration
there over the next few hours. Between rain expected to move in
from the west, and winds starting to stir as a low pressure
system approaches from the west, fog should generally dissipate
between 7 AM and 10 AM this morning.
That rain, currently moving into SW Ohio and central KY, should
work east towards the Huntington Tri-State area between sunrise
and 9 AM, then spread across the rest of the CWA by around
midday. The low is forecast to move across the southern
coalfields this morning, then up along the mountains this
afternoon before shifting off to the east this evening. South of
the low and its associated fronts, there may be enough warm
advection to promote sufficient instability for some stronger
storms, and SPC did maintain the marginal risk over our area.
The main concern would be for strong winds, but given the
proximity of the boundaries and low, and some forecast soundings
showing nicely looping hodographs in the lower levels, if a
strong enough storm develops, a tornado can't be ruled out. Once
the low pushes the cold front through a given location, the
severe weather threat should end there. Some thunderstorms are
possible north/northwest of the front, but severe storms are not
anticipated.
The main round of showers lingering into this evening should
largely be tamped down by around midnight tonight. However,
models are in reasonably good agreement that a trailing upper-
level shortwave will bring a resurgence in shower activity later
tonight into Saturday morning. For much of the area, the current
QPF forecast using mostly WPC data shows fairly widespread 1.00"
or more for the Ohio Valley down through the Charleston Metro
and east to the mountains, with lesser amounts for our far NW
counties, and our far southern counties. The best chance for
totals getting up to or even over 2" appears to be over the
northeastern corner of the CWA, especially the northern
mountains and their western slopes. Given that this area has
already received 1.5-2.25" of rain in the Tue-Thurs system, that
would be our main area of concern for potential flooding. While
a few of the HREF members show concerning high-end rainfall
potential, at this time, in coordination with neighbors and WPC,
we opted to hold off on any expansion of the Flood Watch into
our CWA and will defer to the next shift to monitor the morning
model data.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
As of 330 AM Friday...
Interaction between the departing upper low over NYC and more
expansive upper level low pressure stationed south of James Bay will
yield modest northwesterly flow aloft during the day Saturday. This
should advect cooler air into the region aloft - M22C at H500.
Despite northwesterly flow at the surface, late May Sun angle should
be able to yield at least some surface based destabilization of
parcels by early afternoon in the presence of 35-50KT of deep layer
shear (highest south), although the magnitude of this is somewhat
questionable. Currently we are outlooked by SPC for a marginal risk
of wind and hail for our southeastern and southern counties and if
destabilization comes in on the higher end this does seem like a
possibility. Think the more likely scenario would be more along the
lines of graupel showers given the cool temperatures aloft and
narrow surface dew point depressions.
Non-convective winds will be on the breezy side Saturday under cool
advection, generally northwesterly 10-15 mph with gusts up to around
25 mph.
Cooler air aloft should pivot out of the region on Sunday
taking any instability with it.
Daytime highs across the lowlands will generally be in the upper 60s
to lower 70s.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 330 AM Friday...
Heights build through mid-week with continuing dry condition and
progressively warmer expected. By Wednesday, daytime highs across
the lowlands are expected to rise near 90 degrees (this will remain
short of daily records at all sites).
The next chance for precipitation comes with a cold front late
Wednesday afternoon or Wednesday evening. The upstream of enhanced
mid-level lapse rates associated wit the EML look to get pretty
extensively worked over well upstream of the Ohio Valley, but will
need to continue to monitor trends for a potential severe risk
Wednesday evening.
Model spread opens significantly in the wake of this system, but a
general consensus keeps us unsettled, either with a stalled frontal
boundary and a southern stream system working up over it, or a
southern stream system doing it by itself.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 730 AM Friday...
Fog and low stratus lingers for our southern/eastern sites. It
is gradually burning off or mixing out as the sun comes up for
eastern areas with clear skies, and winds start to pick up in
the south and west as the low pressure system approaches the
CWA. Even when fog clears, we can expect areas of MVFR to IFR
VSBY in moderate to heavy rain. We also expect MVFR ceilings to
be fairly widespread much of the TAF period, and IFR ceilings
will track eastward with the low pressure system through the
day, then get hung up along and northwest of the mountains this
evening into the overnight hours.
Did a mix of TEMPO and PROB30 groups for thunderstorms during
the afternoon and evening hours, depending on the level of
confidence, with TEMPOs for the three southern sites, and PROB30
for the 3 northern sites. Some of the storms today could be
strong to severe, with strong winds, hail, and a tornado
potential as well.
Light winds this morning will pick heading towards and beyond
midday as the low tracks across the CWA. Behind the low and cold
front, NW'ly will pick up and become gusty, then shift more W'ly
this evening into the overnight hours.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY...
FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium on impacts and timing.
ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of rain arrival and intensity 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.
UTC 1HRLY 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
EDT 1HRLY 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
CRW CONSISTENCY M L M H H H H H H H H H
HTS CONSISTENCY M M H H H H H H H H H H
BKW CONSISTENCY M L L H H H H M H H H H
EKN CONSISTENCY M L H H H H L L H H H H
PKB CONSISTENCY M H H H H H H H M H L H
CKB CONSISTENCY L H H H H H H H M H H H
AFTER 12Z SATURDAY...
IFR at times in showers and thunderstorms Saturday morning.
&&
.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Flood Watch from 2 PM EDT this afternoon through late tonight
for WVZ027-028-030-039-040-519>523-525-526.
OH...None.
KY...None.
VA...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...FK/JP
NEAR TERM...FK
SHORT TERM...JP
LONG TERM...JP
AVIATION...FKHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 738 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025 WVZ027-028-030-039-040-519>523-525-526-311145- Clay-Braxton-Lewis-Upshur-Barbour-Northwest Nicholas- Southeast Nicholas-Northwest Webster-Southeast Webster- Northwest Pocahontas-Northwest Randolph-Southeast Randolph- 738 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central, northeast, northern and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. Showers and thunderstorms will increase the risk of excessive rainfall today. One to two inches of rain is expected with locally higher amounts possible. In addition, isolated strong to severe thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts or an isolated tornado this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. 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-OHZ085>087-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>011-013>020-024>026-029- 031>034-515>518-524-311145- Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence-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-Gilmer-Harrison-Taylor-McDowell-Wyoming-Northwest Raleigh- Southeast Raleigh-Northwest Fayette-Southeast Fayette- Southeast Pocahontas- 738 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, portions of southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia and much of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Showers and thunderstorms will increase the risk of excessive rainfall today. One to two inches of rain is expected with locally higher amounts possible. In addition, isolated strong to severe thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts or an isolated tornado this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. 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. OHZ066-067-075-076-083-084-311145- Perry-Morgan-Athens-Washington-Jackson OH-Vinton- 738 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Ohio. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. 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
921 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025
KYZ105-WVZ005-301345-
Lawrence KY-Wayne WV-
921 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT LAWRENCE AND CENTRAL WAYNE
COUNTIES THROUGH 945 AM EDT...
At 920 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Charley, or 8 miles southeast of Blaine, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Louisa, Blaine, Yatesville Lake State Park, Fort Gay, Ulysses, East
Lynn Lake, Charley, Kiahsville, Dunlow, Martha, Gallup, Clifford,
Glenhayes, East Lynn, and Genoa.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3799 8298 3822 8258 3820 8228 3814 8228
3814 8227 3805 8227 3791 8248 3792 8248
3793 8250 3795 8250 3796 8253 3795 8258
3793 8258 3792 8260 3789 8260 3788 8262
3791 8272 3797 8284 3800 8294
TIME...MOT...LOC 1320Z 231DEG 39KT 3795 8273
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
08Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1019 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025
KYZ101-103-OHZ087-301500-
Boyd KY-Greenup KY-Lawrence OH-
1019 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN BOYD...SOUTHERN GREENUP
AND CENTRAL LAWRENCE COUNTIES THROUGH 1100 AM EDT...
At 1019 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Oldtown, or 8 miles northwest of Cannonsburg, moving northeast at 30
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Ashland, Ironton, Coal Grove, Lake Vesuvius, Greenup, Greenbo Lake,
Oldtown, Naples, Flatwoods, Russell, Vernon, Raceland, Worthington,
Wurtland, Bellefonte, Westwood, Hanging Rock, Summit, Warnock, and
Pedro.
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 3859 8285 3857 8282 3860 8274 3864 8276
3871 8262 3851 8243 3838 8282 3848 8307
TIME...MOT...LOC 1419Z 242DEG 27KT 3844 8284
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
08Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1046 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025
KYZ103-OHZ087-WVZ005-006-301530-
Boyd KY-Lawrence OH-Wayne WV-Cabell WV-
1046 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN BOYD...SOUTH
CENTRAL LAWRENCE...WEST CENTRAL CABELL AND NORTHWESTERN WAYNE
COUNTIES THROUGH 1130 AM EDT...
At 1046 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Cannonsburg, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Huntington, Ashland, Coal Grove, Chesapeake, Proctorville,
Cannonsburg, Kenova, Catlettsburg, Ceredo, Princess, South Point,
Burlington, Westwood, and Summit.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 183 and 191.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 10.
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 3845 8275 3848 8271 3851 8246 3843 8238
3835 8245 3836 8276
TIME...MOT...LOC 1446Z 263DEG 20KT 3841 8266
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
08Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1106 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025
WVZ024>026-034-515-301545-
Wyoming WV-Northwest Raleigh WV-Boone WV-Logan WV-Mingo WV-
1106 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL MINGO...WEST CENTRAL
RALEIGH...NORTH CENTRAL WYOMING...LOGAN AND SOUTHEASTERN BOONE
COUNTIES THROUGH 1145 AM EDT...
At 1106 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Holden, or 9 miles southwest of Logan, moving northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Logan, Man, Delbarton, Van, Mount Gay-Shamrock, Bald Knob, Holden,
Mallory, Amherstdale-Robinette, Red Jacket, Wharton, Buskirk,
Matewan, West Logan, Mount Gay, Chauncey, Myrtle, Prenter, Bruno, and
Sharples.
This includes Route 119 between mile markers 9 and 27.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3762 8217 3762 8218 3765 8217 3765 8219
3763 8219 3774 8230 3805 8162 3776 8147
TIME...MOT...LOC 1506Z 245DEG 45KT 3774 8208
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
08The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 flash flood, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Flooding was observed at the Pond Run Tunnel and on Route 693 near Horsley Cemetary Road. An apartment on Valley Drive also flooded.
Stan Branch flooded and a bridge was overrun with water.
Tygarts Creek above Olive Hill rose above a bankfull level of 10 feet on the afternoon of May 30th. After rising to a crest of around 11.9 feet, the creek receded back into its banks later the same afternoon. Low sections of Biggs Bridge Road, Bond Hollow Road, and agricultural fields adjacent to the creek flooded in the midst of the creek rising out of its banks.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, May 2025
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: 1252143, 1252146, 1256264.