Thunderstorm Wind in Kanawha County, West Virginia

Several trees were blown down at the intersection of Reamer Road and Youngstown Drive.

A two day period of active weather prevailed over West Virginia from May 19th to the 20th amid an advancing cold front. Beginning on the 19th, one sub-severe thunderstorm spilled into Wood County from activity that progressed through southeast Ohio, which resulted in some downed tree limbs. The more impressive round of storms took shape on the 20th as the front encroached on the Central Appalachians. Storms initially tracked into the southwest portions of West Virginia around peak heating and remained active throughout the course of the evening. Damaging wind gusts associated with storms resulted in a slew of downed trees and power lines across the state. A 60 mile per hour gust was recorded outside of Elkins by a trained spotter as a strong storm swept through. Additionally, storms crossing through the Kanawha Valley grew tall enough to produce large hail for a brief period of time. A swath of 1 to 1.75 inch hailstones were observed from Putnam and Logan Counties over to Kanawha and Clay Counties. The severe risk subsided as the sun began to set for the evening and the cold front began its passage through the forecast area.