A frontal boundary stalled over the state of West Virginia beginning on May 11th, then dissolved over the area while a disturbance approached from the southwest on the 12th. Widespread precipitation progressed northward across the area on the 12th, followed by rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms continuing to impact the area over the next couple of days as an upper level trough and…
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 frontal boundary stalled over the state of West Virginia beginning on May 11th, then dissolved over the area while a disturbance approached from the southwest on the 12th. Widespread precipitation progressed northward across the area on the 12th, followed by rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms continuing to impact the area over the next couple of days as an upper level trough and surface low pressure system traversed the Ohio Valley.
During the afternoon and evening of May 13th, strong thunderstorms downed trees and power lines across portions of the area. Heavy rainfall within storms also led to widespread half to one and a half in rainfall amounts, with pockets of 2 to 4 inch rainfall amounts across portions of West Virginia. Heavy rain over previously saturated ground prompted flash flooding in Braxton, Clay, Harrison, Jackson, and Lewis Counties. Mudslides also occurred in Boone and Lewis Counties, with one instance of a mobile home being evacuated due to water reaching chest level.
The risk for severe weather concluded by May 14th once the surface low sprinted off the eastern seaboard. Floodwaters also receded in the wake of showers and storms.
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 13, 11:11 AM EST, 2 hours 8 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 1211 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Showers/storms at times through Wednesday, especially during the afternoon/evening hours, courtesy of an upper level low. Briefly dry Thursday, then more showers/storms later Thursday into this weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 1020 AM Tuesday... Made minor tweaks to cloud cover/temperatures/PoPs through this evening, but overall, the forecast remains on track, with scattered showers currently lifting north through portions of the forecast area, while even some breaks in the cloud cover across other portions of the CWA. As of 600 AM Tuesday... Made some minor updates to PoPs this morning to better reflect current radar trends, otherwise forecast was on track. As of 210 AM Tuesday... Key Points: * Locally heavy rain against the windward slopes this morning into this afternoon, localized high water possible * A few stronger storms are possible this afternoon, mainly across our east. Marginal hail or damaging wind gusts are the main threats. A large and slow moving upper low has worked its way into the Middle Mississippi Valley at this hour having spent the last few days residing along the Gulf Coast. Farther to the east, jet level ascent atop precipitable water values of 1.2 to 1.5 inches is supporting widespread light to moderate rainfall over our eastern counties at this hour. Should see some splitting of this energy as some tries to take the left turn around the low while a bulk heads offshore. This should result in the areas of more moderate rain pivoting to the northwest across our northern counties this morning. The main concern with this activity will be locally heavy rainfall being squeezed out along the windward (southeast facing) slopes of the higher terrain, although the brunt of this will be taken by the Blue Ridge east of our forecast area. Largely think this rainfall will be beneficial, although with the highest ridges not quite fully greened up, could still have some minor runoff concerns. This afternoon, a vorticity maxima rotating around the aforementioned low from the south should provide a focusing mechanism for additional showers and thunderstorms in an otherwise uncapped moist environment. Will target this ascent for likely/categorical PoPs, but given the environment showers are possible just about anywhere so will keep at least slight chances in everywhere through afternoon heating. Some localized heavy downpours will be possible, but convective cores will be moving 15-25 mph to the north so that should help to limit any potential localized water issues. Instability will be a bit stronger than yesterday with general MUCAPE values of 250-500J/kg with locally higher values possible where some breaks to sunshine can occur (most likely across the Mountain Lakes with subsidence behind the departing jet streak). Deep layer shear here will be on the weaker side, 25-30KTs, but still sufficient for some updraft organization and couldn't rule out a stronger storm or two this afternoon. Precipitation chances should wane with loss of heating, but with the upper low now sitting nearly on top of us, will maintain at least some slight chance PoPs. Central guidance had a reasonable handle on all of this, and have only modified hourly PoPs to best reflect location of the best forcing. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 1209 PM Tuesday... An upper-level ridge will strengthen over the middle Ohio Valley Thursday with the return of very warm weather. High temperatures will range from the middle to upper 80s across the lowlands. Chances of showers and thunderstorms will return Thursday night as a wave of 500-mb vorticity approaches from the west. A cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms may develop over the midwestern states Thursday afternoon, tracking east into the middle Ohio Valley overnight. It's unclear whether the thunderstorm complex would hold together once it approaches the Ohio River. It's possible that thunderstorms would eventually lose steam as they approach the Ohio River with unfavorable lapse rates and waning instability. However, a few models, including the NAM, still show 800-1,000 J/kg of MLCAPE available by 06Z Friday. It will be interesting to see what the CAMs suggest in upcoming runs. The SPC currently has a marginal risk of severe weather outlooked for this time period though 12Z Friday morning. There may be a higher probability of strong to severe thunderstorms Friday with plenty of instability building throughout the day, steep low-level lapse rates (8-9 C/kg), and a robust amount of 0-6km shear (40-50 kts). Highs will range from the middle to upper 80s again Friday with 60 to perhaps 70 degree dew points. A cold front will approach late Friday night, and thunderstorms will remain possible through that time period. The Day 4 SPC outlook currently shows a 15% risk area drawn over central and western Kentucky, just slightly west of our County Warning Area. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 1209 PM Tuesday... A cold front will cross east of the region Saturday morning, hopefully leaving dry and quiet weather in its wake as high pressure builds into the Ohio Valley. However, not all models are on board with this, and some models show slower solutions, keeping the front stalled over southwest Virginia throughout the weekend. However, this seems like the less likely possibility. Saturday will likely still feature lingering activity, especially during the morning as the front crosses through. We are more confident that Sunday and Monday should be mostly dry days, but will keep at least a slight chance of rain in the forecast in case the less likely model solution pans out. && .AVIATION /16Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 600 AM Tuesday... Some patchy fog has developed this morning... low level moisture will lift into an MVFR (perhaps briefly IFR this morning) stratocumulus deck this morning into early afternoon. Several sources for forcing move through the region amidst moist and uncapped vertical profiles yielding scattered to numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms through this evening. This will yield highly variable flight conditions for most terminals in any heavier downpours. Have coded afternoon VCTS for all locations, and would expect to eventually need a couple TS TEMPO for at least the eastern terminals this afternoon. Winds generally easterly/southeasterly and light, except gusty and erratic near convection. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of flight category changes in showers could vary. May need TEMPOs for TS this afternoon. 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 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 EDT 1HRLY 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 CRW CONSISTENCY M M H H H H M 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 M H M M H H H H EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY H H M M M H H H H H H M CKB CONSISTENCY L L L H H L L H H L H H AFTER 18Z WEDNESDAY... In an active week, IFR conditions are possible under convection Wednesday afternoon, as well as Thursday night through Friday night, and then again Saturday afternoon. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...JP/GW/JMC NEAR TERM...JP/GW SHORT TERM...JMC LONG TERM...JMC AVIATION...JP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 156 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 WVZ033-034-515>526-141800- McDowell-Wyoming-Northwest Raleigh-Southeast Raleigh- Northwest Fayette-Southeast Fayette-Northwest Nicholas- Southeast Nicholas-Northwest Webster-Southeast Webster- Northwest Pocahontas-Southeast Pocahontas-Northwest Randolph- Southeast Randolph- 156 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast, southeast and southern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. The main hazards are damaging wind gusts and hail. Additionally, locally heavy downpours could lead to isolated instances of flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Locally heavy downpours on Wednesday could lead to isolated high water issues. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible early Friday morning through Friday afternoon. .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-OHZ085>087-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>011-013>020-024>032-039-040- 141800- 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-Clay-Braxton- Gilmer-Lewis-Harrison-Taylor-Upshur-Barbour- 156 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Kentucky, portions of southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia, and portions of central, northern, southern and western West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. The main hazards are damaging wind gusts and hail. Additionally, locally heavy downpours could lead to isolated high water issues. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible early Friday morning through Friday afternoon. .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-OHZ066-067-075-076-083-084-141800- Greenup-Carter-Perry-Morgan-Athens-Washington-Jackson OH-Vinton- 156 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Kentucky and portions of southeast Ohio. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Locally heavy downpours this afternoon and evening could lead to isolated high water issues. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible early Friday morning through Friday afternoon. .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 138 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 WVZ015-131800- Kanawha WV- 138 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL KANAWHA COUNTY THROUGH 200 PM EDT... At 137 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Cedar Grove, or 11 miles southeast of Charleston, moving north at 5 mph. HAZARD...Half inch hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include... Charleston, Chesapeake, Marmet, Belle, Cedar Grove, East Bank, Glasgow, Pratt, Coal Fork, Handley, and Sharon. This includes the following highways... Interstate 79 near mile marker 1. Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 96 and 98, and near mile marker 103. West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 80 and 95. 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 3815 8138 3818 8160 3839 8161 3834 8127 TIME...MOT...LOC 1737Z 190DEG 6KT 3824 8148 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH 01
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
145 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
WVZ024-025-131800-
Logan WV-Mingo WV-
145 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MINGO AND WEST
CENTRAL LOGAN COUNTIES THROUGH 200 PM EDT...
At 145 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Chattaroy, or near Williamson, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Delbarton, Chattaroy, Holden, Myrtle, Lenore, and Switzer.
This includes Route 119 between mile markers 1 and 22.
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 3771 8231 3773 8232 3774 8233 3776 8231
3776 8233 3777 8232 3778 8233 3790 8230
3778 8202 3765 8218 3764 8219
TIME...MOT...LOC 1745Z 211DEG 12KT 3777 8224
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
01Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
153 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
WVZ015-131815-
Kanawha WV-
153 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL KANAWHA COUNTY
THROUGH 215 PM EDT...
At 152 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
East Bank, or 12 miles southeast of Charleston. This thunderstorm was
nearly stationary.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch 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...
Cedar Grove, East Bank, and Glasgow.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3821 8144 3825 8149 3835 8146 3826 8133
TIME...MOT...LOC 1752Z 219DEG 4KT 3822 8148
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
01Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
157 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
WVZ028-519-521-131815-
Northwest Webster WV-Northwest Nicholas WV-Braxton WV-
157 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL NICHOLAS...SOUTH
CENTRAL BRAXTON AND WEST CENTRAL WEBSTER COUNTIES THROUGH 215 PM
EDT...
At 157 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Birch River, or 9 miles south of Sutton, moving northwest at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch 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...
Sutton, Boggs, and Little Birch.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 79 between mile markers 57 and 60, and near mile marker
65.
Route 19 between mile markers 60 and 68.
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 3846 8058 3842 8066 3858 8082 3869 8069
TIME...MOT...LOC 1757Z 149DEG 16KT 3853 8068
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
01Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Charleston WV 206 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 WVZ016-018-131830- Calhoun WV-Roane WV- 206 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL CALHOUN AND NORTH CENTRAL ROANE COUNTIES THROUGH 230 PM EDT... At 206 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Spencer, moving north at 15 mph. HAZARD...Half inch hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include... Spencer. 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 3871 8123 3872 8136 3885 8143 3888 8119 TIME...MOT...LOC 1806Z 178DEG 13KT 3876 8131 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH 01
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Charleston WV 219 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 WVZ024-025-131845- Logan WV-Mingo WV- 219 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL MINGO AND SOUTHWESTERN LOGAN COUNTIES THROUGH 245 PM EDT... At 218 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Holden, or 8 miles southwest of Logan, moving northeast at 20 mph. HAZARD...Pea size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include... Logan, Man, Holden, Mount Gay-Shamrock, Mount Gay, Chauncey, Sarah Ann, Switzer, and Pie. This includes Route 119 between mile markers 22 and 26. 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 3764 8201 3775 8215 3787 8202 3777 8184 TIME...MOT...LOC 1818Z 217DEG 17KT 3774 8205 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH 01
The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 60 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:19 UTC.
8 thunderstorm wind, 7 flash flood, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Downed trees were observed along Moses Fork Road.
A tree was blown down onto the roadway, blocking one lane of Blair Mountain Highway in Yolyn.
Over 700 customers east of Chapmanville were without power for a period of time due to downed trees and power lines in the area.
In the community of Bob White, a tree was blown down onto Lambert Bottom Road.
In Gordon, a tree was blown down onto County Route 5. Another downed tree was observed near the intersection of Pond Fork Road and Millwood Road.
A tree was blown down onto Pond Fork Road near the Dollar General in the town of Van.
A tree brought down power lines onto Waterloo Road in French Creek.
Flooding was observed on Crawford Road from Laurel Run and Redlick Run Road from Redlick Run. Smith Run exceeded its banks, entered homes along Smith Run Road, and flooded parts of Lewis County Park. Multiple roads were closed in Weston. Cars became stranded in water along Johnathon Run Road. One trailer home was evacuated due to chest deep water. Mudslides were also observed in the Walkersville area.
Flooding was observed in the Little Birch and Crites Mountain area.
Flooding was observed on sections of US 19 and Big Knaw Road.
Tree and power line damage along Morgan County Road near Cyrus resulted in local power outages across the area.
Grasslick Creek and Grasslick Run exceeded their banks, causing flooding along Homer Smith Road and other streets in the area. Some homes also flooded. 2.63 inches of rain fell between 515 and 615 PM.
High water was observed on roads adjacent to Porter Creek.
Flooding was observed along Sycamore Creek.
Flooding was observed along Hackers Creek in Jane Lew.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in West Virginia in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in West Virginia, 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: 1259305, 1259306, 1259307, 1259310, 1259308, 1259311, 1259312, 1252050, 1252047, 1252048, 1259313, 1259314, 1252058, 1252065, 1252070, 1252077.