Hail — Cowlitz, Washington

2022-05-19 · near Lexington, Cowlitz, Washington

Event narrative

Washington State Patrol reported all lanes of I5 closed around exit 42 due to traffic accidents attributed to hail accumulating on pavement. Three to five vehicles involved in accidents. There was one fatality and one injury. Note: Hail size estimated from other reports in the region.

Wider weather episode

An upper level shortwave trough combined with instability allowed convection to develop in the afternoon. One traffic fatality on Interstate 5 near Kelso, Washington is attributed to hail accumulating on highway.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (46.1841, -122.8976)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1031441. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.