Scattered to widespread showers and storms pressed through southeast Ohio on the first day of April ahead of a cold frontal passage. Strong to severe thunderstorms were first noted shortly after midday along the border of Kentucky and West Virginia, with more quickly infiltrating Ohio by peak heating hours.
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.
Scattered to widespread showers and storms pressed through southeast Ohio on the first day of April ahead of a cold frontal passage. Strong to severe thunderstorms were first noted shortly after midday along the border of Kentucky and West Virginia, with more quickly infiltrating Ohio by peak heating hours. Storms grew strong enough to produce damaging wind gusts, 1 to 1.5 inch hail stones, and heavy downpours. Aside from numerous reports of large hail across Washington County, downed trees and power lines were observed, along with an isolated instance of flash flooding in Marietta. Storms pressed east of the Ohio River into West Virginia by the middle of the evening, bringing the severe weather threat to an end for southeast Ohio.
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 Apr 1, 3:23 PM EST, 18 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 423 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... 420 PM Update... Increased PoPs a bit and added severe weather wording to the forcast for late this afternoon and tonight. 250 PM Update... A severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for the forecast area until 8 PM this evening. 225 PM Update... Update on severe weather potential today, tonight, and through the weekend. Aviation forecast update. && .KEY MESSAGES... - 1) Strong to severe thunderstorms possible today and tonight with a cold front. Main risks will be damaging winds, hail, and the chance for an isolated tornado. Remaining active through the weekend. - 2) Cooler, more mild temperatures to close the weekend and start next week with a strong cold front. Frost/freeze conditions are possible. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1... 250 PM Update... In coordination with Storm Prediction Center and neighboring offices, a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for nearly all of the forecast area until 8PM tonight. Possible hazards are damaging wind gusts up to 65 mph and large hail instances up to 1.5 inches in diameter. Satellite imagery shows extensive clearing occurring across the area with agitated cumulus fields suggesting robust convection is taking place. Cells continue to move up from Kentucky and there has been reports across our southern coalfield counties in WV of hail size up to 1.00"(quarter size) and 1.25"(half-dollar size). Models keep this activity through the afternoon and evening with coverage increasing later this afternoon and evening. 225 PM Update... Scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms expected through tonight as a cold front to our north drops south over or northern tier counties today. A few storms may be strong to severe and most of the area is outlooked for severe weather to cover this. The main risk is damaging winds, but hail and the low chance for an isolated tornado also exist. The primary storm mode will be discrete cells, with a few possibly becoming supercellular. Some models show multicell clusters occurring this afternoon ahead of a broken line of storms this evening, which will raise the risk for heavy downpours and thus localized instances of flash flooding. Chances for showers and storms remain in place each afternoon and evening Thursday through Saturday as this front remains parked across our northern periphery. Severe weather is not expected at this time Thursday through Saturday, but watching Saturday closely as a strong cold front will move through late in the afternoon and evening which may lead to some strong to severe weather depending on the timing of the front. KEY MESSAGE 2... Temperatures will be well above normal through Saturday, more reminiscent to summertime even, especially Thursday and Saturday with highs in the upper 80s across the lowlands. A strong cold front moves through late Saturday into Sunday which will cause cooler, slightly below normal temperatures to move into the area Sunday through middle of next week. Overnight lows in the upper 20s to upper 30s are possible next week as a result of this cooler airmass. There is still some disagreement among models as to how much cooler it will be though. Because of this frost/freeze headlines may be needed multiple nights next week due to the growing season having started across a bulk of the area. A clipper system may move through Monday night into Tuesday which might bring some light snow showers across the higher elevations of the northeastern mountains of West Virginia. && .AVIATION /20Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... SCT to BKN ceilings of CU and towering CU generally between 3,500 and 9,000 feet AGL this afternoon as convection emerges. Visible satellite even shows some clearing occurring across portions of the central lowlands and mountains. Scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms will continue to form this afternoon and evening (highest likelihood between ~19 and ~23z). Some storms will be strong to severe with damaging wind gusts, heavy downpours, and cloud to ground lightning being the main threats. Hail and the low chance for an isolated tornado are also possible though. MVFR and IFR conditions are expected in and around any storms. TEMPO groups have been added at many sites this afternoon due to the scattered nature of these storms. Winds will be southwesterly today and will be breezy to gusty at times (between 15 and 20 knots). Winds will decrease tonight and back to the southeast as lingering showers and thunderstorms gradually taper off. Stratocumulus looks to form across the northern tier of the forecast area tonight as a front stalls. This would impact CKB,EKN, and PKB, maybe even BKW. IFR or lower is possible as a result of this and has been noted in the TAFs where highest confidence is. VFR will resume tomorrow morning giving way to scattered CU after any low clouds erode. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing, location, and intensity of showers and thunderstorms may vary from the forecast today and tonight. Timing of low ceilings across our northern sites tonight may also 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 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 EDT 1HRLY 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 CRW CONSISTENCY H M L L H H H H H H H H HTS CONSISTENCY M L M L H H H H H H H H BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H EKN CONSISTENCY H L L L H H H H H H H M PKB CONSISTENCY L M H H H M H H H H H L CKB CONSISTENCY H M L L H H H M H H H M AFTER 18Z THURSDAY... Brief IFR in showers and thunderstorms is possible Thursday and Friday, and again Saturday afternoon into Sunday. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && DISCUSSION...TRM/LTC AVIATION...LTC
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
343 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
OHZ066-012015-
Perry OH-
343 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN PERRY COUNTY
THROUGH 415 PM EDT...
At 343 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Shawnee, moving east at 35 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Shawnee, New Straitsville, Corning, Hemlock, and Rendville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
southeastern Ohio.
&&
LAT...LON 3961 8203 3957 8204 3955 8211 3956 8212
3956 8226 3959 8226 3959 8234 3971 8210
TIME...MOT...LOC 1943Z 259DEG 29KT 3958 8225
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
11Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
401 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
WVZ516-518-012045-
Southeast Raleigh WV-Southeast Fayette WV-
401 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL RALEIGH AND
SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES THROUGH 445 PM EDT...
At 400 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Daniels, or near Beckley, moving northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel 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...
Beckley, Sophia, Crab Orchard, Macarthur, Shady Spring, Beaver,
Daniels, Coal City, and Meadow Bridge.
This includes the following highways...
West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 33 and 41.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 120 and 137.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
southeastern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3774 8124 3794 8090 3787 8081 3782 8094
3781 8092 3779 8092 3777 8089 3776 8089
3775 8091 3774 8091 3765 8115
TIME...MOT...LOC 2000Z 236DEG 18KT 3773 8112
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
406 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
WVZ015-515-517-012030-
Northwest Raleigh WV-Kanawha WV-Northwest Fayette WV-
406 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN KANAWHA...NORTH
CENTRAL RALEIGH AND NORTHWESTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM
EDT...
At 406 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Burnwell, or 15 miles west of Fayetteville, moving northeast at 20
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...
Oak Hill, Montgomery, Smithers, Burnwell, Powellton, Leewood, Artie,
and Eskdale.
This includes West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 58 and 74.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
central and southeastern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3791 8138 3809 8147 3821 8126 3798 8115
TIME...MOT...LOC 2006Z 236DEG 18KT 3804 8140
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
417 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
WVZ034-515>517-012045-
Wyoming WV-Northwest Raleigh WV-Southeast Raleigh WV-
Northwest Fayette WV-
417 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN RALEIGH...NORTHEASTERN
WYOMING AND SOUTHWESTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES THROUGH 445 PM EDT...
At 417 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles south of Burnwell to 9 miles northeast
of Oceana. Movement was east at 30 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...
Beckley, Mount Hope, Mabscott, Sophia, Crab Orchard, Dry Creek,
Macarthur, Bradley, Prosperity, Piney View, Stanaford, Coal City,
Lester, Rhodell, Pax, Bolt, Arnett, Glen Daniel, and Artie.
This includes the following highways...
West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 40 and 57.
Route 19 between mile markers 1 and 9.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 800 PM EDT for
central, southern and southeastern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3774 8153 3797 8143 3797 8138 3794 8107
3788 8113 3788 8111 3759 8128
TIME...MOT...LOC 2017Z 292DEG 26KT 3795 8140 3777 8149
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
418 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
OHZ067-076-012045-
Washington OH-Morgan OH-
418 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON AND
SOUTHERN MORGAN COUNTIES THROUGH 445 PM EDT...
At 418 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Chesterhill, moving east at 35 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...
Beverly, Chesterhill, Stockport, and Hackney.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
southeastern Ohio.
&&
LAT...LON 3965 8161 3946 8161 3945 8185 3946 8202
3961 8197
TIME...MOT...LOC 2018Z 259DEG 49KT 3955 8185
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
11Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
422 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
WVZ033-034-012045-
Wyoming WV-McDowell WV-
422 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL MCDOWELL AND
CENTRAL WYOMING COUNTIES THROUGH 445 PM EDT...
At 422 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Hanover, or 9 miles west of Welch, moving northeast at
20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...
Pineville, Oceana, Twin Falls State Park, Davy, Kopperston, Clear
Fork, Cyclone, Wolf Pen, Maben, and Baileysville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
southern and southeastern West Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3748 8182 3778 8167 3778 8161 3764 8135
3763 8134 3747 8166
TIME...MOT...LOC 2022Z 207DEG 18KT 3748 8175
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 124 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:43 UTC.
12 hail, 8 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree fell into powerlines at State Rt 550 and Murphy Road. The powerlines caught on fire.
In Marietta, portions of a roof were blown off of a nearby house.
A tree and numerous branches fell onto a house along 2nd Street in Marietta. Extensive damage to the home occurred as a result.
Downed power lines were observed on Pike Street in Marietta.
Numerous downed trees were observed in the Marietta area.
A tree snapped off and fell onto a fence along Cisler Drive.
A sign was blown off of a business at the intersection of Liberty Lane and West Main Street.
High water was observed over the road near 2nd and 3rd Streets in Marietta.
In Gallipolis, a large tree fell and blocked Ohio Avenue.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Ohio in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, April 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: 1325438, 1325353, 1325357, 1325439, 1325355, 1325440, 1325354, 1325359, 1325368, 1325364, 1325367, 1325362, 1325363, 1325360, 1325442, 1325365, 1325443, 1325444, 1325435, 1325433, 1325436.