National Weather ServiceWest VirginiaSevere Thunderstorm WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in West Virginia
The National Weather Service issued 420 severe thunderstorm warnings for West Virginia in 2025 and 296 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 30th most of any state. 2026 through September: 589, 106% above the average of 286 for those months in 2008-2025. Kanawha was covered most often (557 times since 2008).
How many severe thunderstorm warnings does West Virginia get?
Every severe thunderstorm warning that covered part of West Virginia. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 589 |
| 2025 | 420 |
| 2024 | 336 |
| 2023 | 243 |
| 2022 | 361 |
| 2021 | 302 |
| 2020 | 280 |
| 2019 | 395 |
| 2018 | 219 |
| 2017 | 190 |
| 2016 | 295 |
| 2015 | 200 |
| 2014 | 214 |
| 2013 | 222 |
| 2012 | 339 |
| 2011 | 453 |
| 2010 | 269 |
| 2009 | 220 |
| 2008 | 374 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does West Virginia get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in West Virginia?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanawha | 557 | 173 | September 5, 2026 |
| Jefferson | 479 | 94 | August 27, 2026 |
| Berkeley | 477 | 101 | September 4, 2026 |
| Hampshire | 457 | 101 | September 4, 2026 |
| Lincoln | 406 | 123 | September 21, 2026 |
| Mason | 393 | 110 | September 20, 2026 |
| Jackson | 392 | 127 | September 21, 2026 |
| Putnam | 385 | 111 | September 4, 2026 |
| Wayne | 383 | 103 | September 21, 2026 |
| Hardy | 363 | 67 | September 4, 2026 |
| Roane | 357 | 117 | September 21, 2026 |
| Boone | 352 | 112 | September 21, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest severe thunderstorm warnings for West Virginia in AreaZine's record
NWS CharlestonWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Pocahontas and Randolph, WV
Expired 6:30 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS BlacksburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Giles, Mercer, Monroe and 1 more, VA and WV
Expired 6:15 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Raleigh, WV
Expired 5:30 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS BlacksburgWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Greenbrier and Summers, WV
Expired 5:45 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Buchanan and McDowell, VA and WV
Expired 4:30 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningSeptember 19, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Athens, Meigs, Washington County and 5 more, OH and WV
Expired 7:15 p.m. EDT, September 19, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningSeptember 5, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Boone, Fayette, Kanawha and 1 more, WV
Expired 9:30 a.m. EDT, September 5, 2026
NWS BlacksburgWarningSeptember 4, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Alleghany, Bath, Botetourt and 4 more, VA and WV
Expired 6:30 p.m. EDT, September 4, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a severe thunderstorm warning?
A severe thunderstorm warning means a storm is producing, or is about to produce, hail one inch across or larger and/or winds of 58 mph or more. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in West Virginia.