Charleston, WV – A multi-state Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect through 11 p.m. EDT Monday, threatening parts of West Virginia, southern Ohio, and eastern Kentucky with damaging wind gusts and large hail.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, the watch includes most of central and eastern Kentucky, southern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania, southwestern Virginia, and nearly all of West Virginia. Wind gusts may reach up to 70 mph, with hail potentially up to 2 inches in diameter. A tornado or two cannot be ruled out, especially in the early stages of storm development.
Storms are expected to intensify late Monday afternoon ahead of a cold front moving eastward, shifting from isolated supercells into a fast-moving squall line. Areas along the Interstate 64 and I-77 corridors should prepare for rapid changes in weather conditions and potential power outages.
Residents across affected regions are urged to remain indoors during warnings, secure outdoor items, and have multiple ways to receive alerts. The overall confidence in severe weather remains medium, with the highest threats centered on gusty winds and large hail.
Parts of the watch area may be canceled early if storms move east faster than anticipated.
