West Virginia Moderate Special Weather Statement | Effective 07/18/2026 10:44

Headline: 
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:44PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
Event: 
Special Weather Statement
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
July 18, 2026 - 10:44am
Expires: 
July 18, 2026 - 11:45am
Description: 
At 143 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Grantsville to near Hamlin. Movement was northeast at 30 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include... Charleston, Nitro, Spencer, Winfield, Glenville, Hamlin, Grantsville, Clay, Jefferson, South Charleston, St. Albans, Dunbar, Hurricane, Sissonville, Montgomery, Chesapeake, Marmet, Belle, Clendenin, and Cedar Grove. This includes the following highways... Interstate 79 between mile markers 1 and 52, and between mile markers 71 and 86. Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 96 and 125. Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 36 and 57. West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 75 and 95. Route 119 between mile markers 58 and 80.
Instruction: 
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. 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.
Area Description: 
Jackson; Lincoln; Putnam; Kanawha; Roane; Calhoun; Boone; Clay; Braxton; Gilmer; Lewis
Forcast Office: 
NWS Charleston WV