Ice Storm — Southeast Pocahontas, West Virginia

2018-11-15 · Southeast Pocahontas, West Virginia

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure moved up the East Coast on the 15th. Cold air was pushed up against the eastern slopes of the Appalachians, with warmer air flowing in aloft. This lead to a period of freezing rain across the eastern slopes. Around a quarter inch of ice accumulated on trees and power lines across parts of Fayette, Pocahontas, Raleigh, and Randolph counties. For example, 0.33 was measured by a trained spotter in Cool Ridge in the far eastern part of Raleigh County, and the ASOS at the Raleigh County airport accumulated 0.34 on its sensor. A quarter of an inch accumulated in Bowden in Randolph County, and 0.30 in Marlinton in Pocahontas County. This lead to widespread power outages, Raleigh County was hit especially hard with over 8000 customers without power. Some had to wait several days to service to be restored.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 785810. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.