During the early morning hours of March 31st, decaying thunderstorms advancing across the Ohio Valley ahead of a cold front passed through Buchanan County and resulted in several downed trees and power lines within the county. Storms quickly shifted eastward out of the area before dawn.
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.
During the early morning hours of March 31st, decaying thunderstorms advancing across the Ohio Valley ahead of a cold front passed through Buchanan County and resulted in several downed trees and power lines within the county. Storms quickly shifted eastward out of the area before dawn.
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 Mar 31, 12:54 AM EST, 11 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 154 AM EDT Mon Mar 31 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Strong to severe storm threat into Monday with a cold front moving through. Unsettled Wednesday through next weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 145 AM Monday... A line of thunderstorms will continue to push eastward across the area this morning. There continues to be a severe threat with this line, but the line should gradually weaken as it moves eastward. A cold front will then move through the region today. This could produce additional thunderstorms over West Virginia and southwestern Virginia. The main threat with these storms will be damaging winds, although large hail and tornados can not be ruled out. Cold air advection behind the cold front along with an upslope wind flow will squeeze the moisture in the lower atmosphere, allowing for chances of some rain or drizzle into tonight. The better chances will be in and near the mountains. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... As of 1224 PM Sunday... Quiet and dry weather will briefly return Tuesday as high pressure moves back over the area. Temperatures will feel cooler than recent days with highs only in the 50s to lower 60s, due to a post-frontal airmass. Sunshine will mix with some clouds throughout the day. High clouds will increase again from the west Tuesday night as low pressure organizes and strengthens over the Plains. Its associated warm front will approach from the southwest early Wednesday morning. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 1224 PM Sunday... A warm front will lift through the region from south to north Wednesday. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible during the day as the warm front lifts through the region, and some may be strong to severe. Just like recent severe weather events we've seen this year, there will be ample 0-6 km shear (45-55 kts) for thunderstorm organization, but models are showing limited instability over our region. More favorable instability can be found farther to the west, across northern Kentucky and southwest Ohio, with some models depicting 500-1,000 J/kg MLCAPE developing by the afternoon. Therefore, the confidence in our area receiving severe weather Wednesday is low at this time, and the best chance would probably be across our northeast Kentucky counties and parts of southeast Ohio. Thunderstorm chances will continue through the weekend as a cold front approaches and stalls over West Virginia. SPC currently outlines a 15% severe threat over portions of our region Thursday. Models are showing more favorable instability parameters Thursday over our region, with potentially 400-800 J/kg of MLCAPE developing in the afternoon across central and southern West Virginia. In addition, there should still be ample 0-6 km shear available for thunderstorm organization (45-55 kts). Given that this is still 4-5 days out, confidence is low and details are blurry at this time, so we will wait and see how this all evolves. With a front stalling over our area into the weekend and potential for showers and thunderstorms just about each day Wednesday through Sunday, we will also have to watch for an increased potential for flooding. More details will be revealed in time as things become clearer. &&As of 145 AM Monday... .AVIATION /06Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 145 AM Monday... A band of showers and thunderstorms will push eastward across the area this morning, causing IFR conditions and strong wind gusts. There continues to be a severe threat with this line, but the line should gradually weaken as it moves eastward. Some stratiform rain behind the line of storms will cause some MVFR restrictions for a couple of hours. In advance of this line, a low level jet could cause some low level wind shear. A cold front will push through the region today. In advance of the cold front and outside of any precipitation, generally VFR conditions will prevail. Along the cold front, additional thunderstorms are possible. These storm could be severe in West Virginia and southwest Virginia. Behind the cold front, expect VFR conditions with some rain or drizzle for a while, before becoming VFR in southeast Ohio and northeastern Kentucky during the evening hours. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing and extent of restrictions in showers and thunderstorms could 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. DATE MON 03/31/25 UTC 1HRLY 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 EDT 1HRLY 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 CRW CONSISTENCY H H M M H M H H H H H H HTS CONSISTENCY H L M H H H H H H M M H BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H L H H H H M EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H M M H H H H M PKB CONSISTENCY M L M H M H M H M M M H CKB CONSISTENCY H H H M M H M H H H M M AFTER 06Z TUESDAY... IFR conditions possible in showers and thunderstorms throughout the area at times mid to late week. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...RPY/JMC NEAR TERM...RPY SHORT TERM...JMC LONG TERM...JMC AVIATION...RPY
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 138 AM EDT Mon Mar 31 2025 OHZ067-075-076-085-WVZ009>011-010545- Morgan-Athens-Washington-Meigs-Wood-Pleasants-Tyler- 138 AM EDT Mon Mar 31 2025 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 79 IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM EDT EARLY THIS MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Ohio and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...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...Monday through Saturday. 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. VAZ004-WVZ019-020-028>034-039-040-515>526-010545- Buchanan-Ritchie-Doddridge-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- 138 AM EDT Mon Mar 31 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest Virginia, and portions of central, northeast, northern, southeast and southern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible tonight. Damaging wind is the main hazard, although some hail and isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible on Monday. Damaging wind is the main hazard, although some hail and isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. .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. KYZ103-105-OHZ086-087-VAZ003-WVZ005>008-013>018-024>027-010545- Boyd-Lawrence-Gallia-Lawrence OH-Dickenson-Wayne-Cabell-Mason- Jackson WV-Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha-Roane-Wirt-Calhoun-Mingo-Logan- Boone-Clay- 138 AM EDT Mon Mar 31 2025 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 80 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EDT EARLY THIS MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Kentucky, portions of southeast Ohio, portions of southwest Virginia, and portions of central, northern, southern and western West Virginia. .DAY ONE...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...Monday through Saturday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible on Monday. Damaging wind is the main hazard, although some hail and isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. .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. KYZ101-102-OHZ066-083-084-010545- Greenup-Carter-Perry-Jackson OH-Vinton- 138 AM EDT Mon Mar 31 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Kentucky and portions of southeast Ohio. .DAY ONE...Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. 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
1106 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025
OHZ083-086-087-310400-
Jackson OH-Gallia OH-Lawrence OH-
1106 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN GALLIA...JACKSON AND
NORTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES THROUGH MIDNIGHT EDT...
At 1103 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles northwest of Jackson to 12 miles
southwest of Lucasville. Movement was southeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Gallia, Petersburg, Mabee, Jackson, Centerpoint, Rio Grande, Oak
Hill, and Vernon.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 600 AM EDT for
southeastern Ohio.
&&
LAT...LON 3912 8279 3913 8278 3894 8231 3864 8264
3868 8273 3868 8270 3875 8270 3875 8266
3885 8265 3886 8276 3894 8275 3895 8281
TIME...MOT...LOC 0303Z 328DEG 23KT 3913 8276 3881 8321
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
04Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1133 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025
OHZ075-083>086-310415-
Jackson OH-Athens OH-Meigs OH-Gallia OH-Vinton OH-
1133 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MEIGS...NORTH
CENTRAL GALLIA...NORTHEASTERN JACKSON...SOUTHEASTERN VINTON AND
SOUTHWESTERN ATHENS COUNTIES THROUGH 1215 AM EDT...
At 1132 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Lake Hope State Park to Jackson. Movement
was southeast 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...
Wellston, Wilkesville, Radcliffe, Zaleski, Carpenter, Albany, Hamden,
Coalton, Vinton, and Athens.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM EDT for
southeastern Ohio. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch also remains in effect
until 600 AM EDT for southeastern Ohio.
&&
LAT...LON 3931 8209 3896 8236 3907 8265 3928 8242
TIME...MOT...LOC 0332Z 299DEG 15KT 3937 8230 3907 8264
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1144 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025
OHZ067-075-076-084-310430-
Washington OH-Athens OH-Morgan OH-Vinton OH-
1144 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025
...GUSTY SHOWERS WILL IMPACT WESTERN WASHINGTON...MORGAN... EAST
CENTRAL VINTON AND ATHENS COUNTIES THROUGH 1230 AM EDT...
At 1143 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers along a
line extending from 10 miles north of McConnelsville to near Lake
Hope State Park. Movement was northeast at 35 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...
Chauncey, Stockport, Stroud Run State Park, Athens, Burr Oak State
Park, McConnelsville, Hackney, Beverly, Malta, Coolville,
Chesterhill, Lowell, Macksburg, Bristol, Fleming, Trimble, Amesville,
Jacksonville, Bartlett, and The Plains.
This includes Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 8 and 17.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM EDT for
southeastern Ohio.
&&
LAT...LON 3975 8164 3967 8164 3966 8159 3959 8158
3958 8148 3965 8147 3965 8145 3963 8145
3963 8142 3960 8139 3960 8136 3920 8178
3920 8234 3976 8183
TIME...MOT...LOC 0343Z 245DEG 26KT 3980 8179 3927 8232
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1158 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1111 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Junction City 39.73N 82.30W
03/30/2025 Perry OH 911 Call Center
Tree reported down across Logan Street.
&&
GWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
148 AM EDT Mon Mar 31 2025
KYZ105-WVZ005>008-013>016-024-310615-
Lawrence KY-Jackson WV-Roane WV-Mason WV-Kanawha WV-Lincoln WV-
Mingo WV-Wayne WV-Cabell WV-Putnam WV-
148 AM EDT Mon Mar 31 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE...SOUTHERN
MASON...CABELL...NORTHWESTERN MINGO...PUTNAM...NORTHWESTERN
KANAWHA...LINCOLN...WEST CENTRAL ROANE...WAYNE AND SOUTHEASTERN
JACKSON COUNTIES THROUGH 215 AM EDT...
At 147 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Buffalo to Ulysses. Movement was east at
45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Ranger, Louisa, Barboursville, Nitro, Salt Rock, Palermo, Pea Ridge,
Genoa, Poca, Fraziers Bottom, Harts, Buffalo, Cross Lanes, Gill,
Gallup, Sweetland, Harmony, West Hamlin, Clifford, and Ulysses.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 109 and 127.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 17 and 53.
Route 119 between mile markers 66 and 67.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 600 AM EDT for
northeastern Kentucky...and central, southern, western and
northwestern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3865 8206 3874 8132 3799 8211 3797 8219
3796 8220 3793 8217 3788 8223 3788 8242
3790 8244 3791 8247 3790 8247 3790 8248
3795 8250 3796 8253 3795 8258 3792 8260
3789 8260 3788 8262 3791 8272 3797 8283
TIME...MOT...LOC 0547Z 264DEG 38KT 3864 8198 3796 8269
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
12Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
150 AM EDT Mon Mar 31 2025
OHZ076-WVZ009>011-017-019-020-310615-
Washington OH-Doddridge WV-Ritchie WV-Wirt WV-Wood WV-Pleasants WV-
Tyler WV-
150 AM EDT Mon Mar 31 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL WASHINGTON...
PLEASANTS...RITCHIE...CENTRAL DODDRIDGE...CENTRAL WIRT...TYLER AND
EASTERN WOOD COUNTIES THROUGH 215 AM EDT...
At 150 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from St. Marys to near Elizabeth. Movement was east
at 65 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...
Newport, Alma, Belmont, Maxwell, Schultz, North Bend State Park,
Mountain, Lima, Pennsboro, Hebron, Pike, Center Point, St. Marys,
Berea, Macfarlan, Highland, Middlebourne, Ellenboro, Greenwood, and
Blandville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 161 and 163.
Route 50 in West Virginia between mile markers 14 and 58.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM EDT for
southeastern Ohio...and northern and northwestern West Virginia. A
Severe Thunderstorm Watch also remains in effect until 600 AM EDT for
northwestern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3947 8071 3948 8067 3946 8067 3947 8064
3944 8060 3945 8059 3945 8058 3914 8077
3901 8153 3903 8159 3945 8131 3953 8076
TIME...MOT...LOC 0550Z 258DEG 56KT 3940 8121 3910 8143
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
12The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 113 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:02 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree fell onto a power line along Slate Creek Road.
Tree and power line damage occurred along White Oak Road in Slate. This resulted in power outages across the area and county.
A tree fell onto a power line along Page Drive near Vansant.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, March 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: 1242743, 1242744, 1242745.