Strong Thunderstorm Brings 40 MPH Winds, Hail to West Virginia Communities
Doppler radar tracked severe thunderstorm bringing 40 mph winds and half-inch hail through West Virginia communities Monday afternoon.
SISTERSVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA — A strong thunderstorm with wind gusts up to 40 mph and half-inch hail swept through parts of West Virginia on Monday afternoon, prompting weather officials to issue warnings for several communities in the region.
The National Weather Service in Charleston tracked the storm on Doppler radar at 2:50 p.m. EDT, locating it seven miles west of Sistersville and 12 miles south of Woodsfield. The storm system moved eastward at 40 mph, according to the special weather statement issued at 2:51 p.m.
Weather officials warned that gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects throughout the affected areas. Minor hail damage to vegetation was also possible as the storm passed through the region.
Multiple Communities in Storm’s Path
The thunderstorm’s path included several West Virginia and Ohio communities. Locations impacted by the severe weather included Middlebourne, Paden City, Sistersville, Matamoras, Friendly, Fly, and New Matamoras.
The weather service classified the storm as radar-indicated, meaning meteorologists tracked its movement and intensity using advanced Doppler radar technology rather than ground-based reports.
Storm Hazards and Safety Precautions
The primary hazards from the thunderstorm included wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph and hail measuring approximately half an inch in diameter. These conditions posed risks to both property and vegetation across the storm’s trajectory.
Officials advised residents in the affected areas to secure loose outdoor objects and avoid areas with overhanging tree branches during the storm’s passage. The combination of strong winds and hail created conditions that could damage crops, gardens, and other vegetation.
The storm system represented typical spring weather patterns for the Ohio Valley region, where atmospheric conditions often produce scattered thunderstorms with localized severe weather threats. Monday’s storm moved through the area during the afternoon hours when atmospheric instability typically peaks.
