A low pressure system traversed the Great Lakes Region on the night of June 17th, then continued across southern Ontario into southern Quebec on the 18th. This system lifted a warm front north through the area during the early morning hours of the 18th, then pulled a cold front southeast into the area during the day.
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 low pressure system traversed the Great Lakes Region on the night of June 17th, then continued across southern Ontario into southern Quebec on the 18th. This system lifted a warm front north through the area during the early morning hours of the 18th, then pulled a cold front southeast into the area during the day. Meanwhile, a strong shortwave trough helped steer a strong jet over portions of the middle Ohio Valley and central Appalachians.
Rain started to spread across southeast Ohio and over into western and north central West Virginia on the evening of the 17th. Severe thunderstorms and heavy downpours then tracked across this same area overnight before sinking southeastward the morning of the 18th. While the bulk of precipitation departed southeast Ohio and northern West Virginia by mid-morning, the lingering front combined with a feed of moisture from a Gulf system allowed showers and a few storms to persist across northeast Kentucky, southern West Virginia, and southwest Virginia through the 18th. Precipitation finally came to an end on the morning of the 19th.
Severe thunderstorms produced strong winds during this time, which downed trees and caused power outages across portions of northeast Kentucky on the morning of the 18th.
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 Jun 18, 3:42 AM EST, 51 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 442 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... A new Tornado Watch has been issued for much of the area until 11am. 12Z Aviation Forecast Discussion update. No major changes to the forecast at this time. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Potential for strong to severe storms this morning through the afternoon along with a threat for excessive rainfall as a cold front moves through the area. 2) Drier start to the weekend but storm chances return by Sunday evening. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1... A Tornado Watch is out for northeast Kentucky counties of Cater and Greenup until 5am. This is due to robust helicity, abundant shear and a the STP tornado parameter of 1+ which indicates possible tornadic environment not too mention tornadic activity upstream. Activity is already upstream and headed our way for the first push of convection into the area although the threat is weakening, therefore the watch is not being expanded anywhere. This watch may have to be expanded if trends persist west into our Ohio counties but the last tornado warning out west has expired therefore currently holding off on expanding at this time. Hi-res and convection allowing models (CAMs) have another push of convection in the form of a line settling in by mid morning. The HRRR, FV3 and NAM Nest are most aggressive and suggest potential super cellular activity with embedded thunderstorms along a line progressing southeast into our area moving south throughout the late morning and into the afternoon. With enough instability for the late morning and afternoon storms will be able to continue under a strong low level jet support and high shear to promote a damaging wind threat as well as tornadic threat with rotating showers possible along the line or from super cellular storms. Even though prior convection will weaken instability the line will have enough support to keep going through the area, however it may not be as potent as other models suggest. The winds will be a thing to watch as shower and thunderstorm activity will have a good environment with high DCAPE and high PWATs to promote downbursts and heavy downpours which could promote flooding potential, however it should be more isolated in nature and be more apparent across low lying or flood prone areas unless training occurs elsewhere. One caveat is that the line will be moving fast with strong steering flow aloft which may deter flash flooding all together this late morning and afternoon. Unless rates exceed flash flood guidance or rather 2+ inches per hour or high rates affect an area repeatedly or under training will possibly cause issues to the aforementioned areas and elsewhere. Shower activity could bring down strong winds which could be damaging and severe but this will involve convection rather than synoptic winds which made the decision of holding off on a wind advisory being issued at this time. By mid morning, the tornado threat diminishes and only a damaging wind threat will remain, however we cannot rule out a quick spin up along the line as the cold front sags south into the southern portions of our county warning area. Due to our radar being down it will be hard to detect low level rotation therefore shower activity or heavy thunderstorm activity will likely be warned on if there is any indication of rotation or a meso even though the tornadic environment will be diminishing. As the line exits toward the south another push of convection is indicated by some of the Hi-res models coming in from the west to affect our southern half of the area. This will add to QPF values but the activity will be across our driest portions of our CWA, so basically no flood watch is needed and will be handled by the warning process. WPC does have us in a slight risk for a excessive rainfall threat for this area so isolated flooding issues could occur in areas susceptible to flood or drainage issues. This activity will be coming in behind the front, therefore much of the instability will be used up so the environment should not pose a severe threat. After the aforementioned convection subsides things will clear out and any activity will exit by early afternoon opening the area up to a dry rest of the day on Friday and into the weekend. KEY MESSAGE 2... High pressure at the surface and a semi flat ridge aloft will help keep the weekend settled although by late Sunday a low pressure system will traverse into the region just north of us and drop down a weak frontal band for Monday. Models have this feature weakening as it comes through the area so frontolysis is likely. Thereafter, zonal flow will settle in and keep the area safe until Thursday as a short wave moves into the region which could promote chances for diurnal convection on next Thursday afternoon and evening. && .AVIATION /08Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As the cold front pushes further toward the area rain and thunderstorms will become more prevalent and drop CIGs down to MVFR toward late morning. VIS restrictions will accompany shower activity and under heavy thunderstorm activity VIS could drop to IFR at times. Winds will increase out of the southwest gusting to 30kt by late morning. Gusty conditons will prevail until the early evening as the cold front sags south of the area. By evening, winds will diminish and CIGs will lift to VFR except for EKN/BKW who will endure MVFR CIGs into the evening and overnight. Clouds may clear out around a few western sites to promote fog formation overnight into Friday morning. If clouds clear out quicker fog could potentially affect the other sites in mid to late morning. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of shower and thunderstorm activity could vary. Fog overnight into Friday morning could become areawide dependent upon how fast the clouds move out. 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 THU 06/18/26 UTC 1HRLY 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 EDT 1HRLY 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 CRW CONSISTENCY H H H M M H H M H H H H HTS CONSISTENCY H H M M H M M M H H H H BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H L H H H M M M EKN CONSISTENCY H H H M M M H H H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY M M M H M H H H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY H M H M L M M H H H H H AFTER 06Z FRIDAY... IFR ceilings may be possible with lingering showers along the mountains Thursday night. IFR fog is possible overnight into Friday morning. && && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && DISCUSSION...JZ AVIATION...JZ EQUIPMENT...JZ
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
333 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
OHZ075-076-WVZ009-010-180800-
Washington OH-Athens OH-Wood WV-Pleasants WV-
333 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WASHINGTON...SOUTHEASTERN
ATHENS...SOUTHWESTERN PLEASANTS AND NORTHERN WOOD COUNTIES THROUGH
400 AM EDT...
At 333 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles south of Chesterhill, moving 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...
Parkersburg, Marietta, Belpre, St. Marys, Vienna, Williamstown,
Belmont, Boaz, Washington, Newport, North Hills, Lowell, Amesville,
Lower Salem, Willow Island, Little Hocking, Schultz, Waverly,
Fleming, and Bartlett.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 177 and 186.
Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 1 and 12.
Route 50 in West Virginia near mile marker 1.
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 3958 8127 3957 8125 3931 8114 3923 8194
3942 8196 3945 8186 3945 8183 3946 8183
3948 8175 3948 8171 3950 8171 3960 8136
3959 8135 3959 8128 3961 8128 3961 8127
TIME...MOT...LOC 0733Z 255DEG 56KT 3936 8184
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
01Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
400 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
OHZ075-076-084-085-WVZ008-009-017-180830-
Washington OH-Athens OH-Meigs OH-Vinton OH-Jackson WV-Wirt WV-
Wood WV-
400 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT MEIGS...SOUTHWESTERN
WASHINGTON...SOUTHEASTERN VINTON...SOUTHERN ATHENS...WEST CENTRAL
WIRT...NORTHEASTERN JACKSON AND SOUTHWESTERN WOOD COUNTIES THROUGH
430 AM EDT...
At 359 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Albany, moving east at 55 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...
Parkersburg, Belpre, Pomeroy, Albany, Coolville, Rutland, Forked Run
State Park, Washington, Tuppers Plains, Lubeck, Chester, Wilkesville,
Radcliffe, Belleville, Reedsville, Little Hocking, Dyesville, Darwin,
Salem Center, and Harrisonville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 156 and 168.
Route 50 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 6.
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 3901 8152 3904 8243 3924 8240 3931 8156
TIME...MOT...LOC 0759Z 267DEG 46KT 3913 8225
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
01Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
401 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
OHZ076-WVZ009>011-019-180830-
Washington OH-Ritchie WV-Wood WV-Pleasants WV-Tyler WV-
401 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL WASHINGTON...
PLEASANTS...NORTH CENTRAL RITCHIE...WESTERN TYLER AND NORTHEASTERN
WOOD COUNTIES THROUGH 430 AM EDT...
At 400 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Williamstown, or over Marietta, moving east 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...
Parkersburg, Marietta, Belpre, St. Marys, Vienna, Williamstown,
Sistersville, Belmont, Boaz, Newport, Matamoras, North Hills,
Friendly, Willow Island, Maxwell, Schultz, Arvilla, Point Lookout,
New Matamoras, and Wick.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 179 and 186.
Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 1 and 8.
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 3932 8093 3929 8163 3950 8163 3957 8108
3957 8104 3954 8104 3959 8097 3959 8096
TIME...MOT...LOC 0800Z 264DEG 43KT 3941 8148
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
01Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
503 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0457 AM Flash Flood Athens 39.33N 82.10W
06/18/2026 Athens OH 911 Call Center
APD officer stuck in water in his cruiser.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
509 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0324 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 7 S Amesville 39.30N 81.96W
06/18/2026 Athens OH 911 Call Center
Tree in westbound lane reported as blocking
both lanes, U.S. Route 50 at Dow Lake. Time
estimated from radar.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
528 AM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0435 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 7 NE Elizabeth 39.13N 81.30W
06/18/2026 Ritchie WV 911 Call Center
Tree down blocking one lane on Staunton
Turnpike near Bear Run in Petroleum. Time
estimated from radar.
&&The Cincinnati radar (KILN), 105 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:32 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A downed tree blocked State Highway 8 near Quincy.
One thousand and sixty-two residents were without power due to tree contact.
Several trees were blown down in the central part of the county, including along Allcorn Road and Brushy Road.
A tree was knocked down on Highway 784.
In Worthington, a downed tree was observed on the roadway.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, June 2026
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: 1335659, 1335660, 1335661, 1335662, 1335663.