2004 Weather Story Archive

December 2004: Cold, Snow and Ice
CHARLESTON, WV - Icy roads can develop quickly, a fact that thousands of motorists across the country have learned the hard way this December. From North Carolina to Pennsylvania, quick bursts of snow were all that it took to make driving a hazard. RIGHT: A car slides out of control on I-64 in Charleston on December 14.
[ Full story ]

December 2004 icy road video clips:
VIDEO: December 26 icy roads in Pittsburgh: Storm Highway Video Clip
VIDEO: December 19 accident on I-64 bridge in Charleston, WV: Storm Highway Video Clip
VIDEO: December 14 accident on I-64 bridge in Charleston, WV: Storm Highway Video Clip
VIDEO: Sliding cars in Beckley, WV: Storm Highway Video Clip

December 10: December Thunderstorms
CHARLESTON, WV - Several rounds of strong storms moved across West Virginia on Friday, proving that lightning and thunder can happen any time of the year. The storms brought bright lightning, loud thunder, and even small hail to parts of the state. In the late afternoon, breaks in the clouds allowed sunlight to filter in among the rain - causing the formation of brilliant rainbows. RIGHT: A spectacular rainbow near the West Virginia Turnpike south of Mahan.
[ Full story, video and more photos ]

VIDEO: Lightning and thunder in Charleston on Friday: RealVideo, 2.3MB

November 10: Auroras potent in November 2004
TEAYS VALLEY, WV - November 2004 will be remembered as one of the best in recent history for displays of the Northern Lights. Normally a spectacle only visible in Alaska, northern Canada and polar regions of the earth, this month's lights made their way as far south as Texas and North Carolina. RIGHT: Aurora Borealis in Virginia on November 8.
[ Full story, video and more photos ]

VIDEO: Auroras on November 10 in WV: Storm Highway Video Clip
VIDEO: Auroras on November 8 in Virginia: Storm Highway Video Clip

ARCHIVED STORY: November 8 Northern Lights show viewed from southeastern Virginia.

October 18: Fall thunderstorms hit WV
HUNTINGTON, WV - Bright lightning, loud, booming thunder, street flooding, soaking downpours - in October? It happened on Monday night in parts of West Virginia as a strong storm system began moving across our region. More storms are possible throughout this week. Left: Lightning flickers in the sky as people and cars slosh through a flooded Huntington street, from Storm Highway video on The Weather Channel on October 19.
[ Full story and more photos ]

Hurricane Ivan: Widespread disaster
MOBILE, AL - Hurricane Ivan made landfall along the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida on Wednesday night, but tornadoes, flooding and wind brought the disaster to most of the eastern USA. Storm Highway filmed on-location at the coastal site of Hurricane Ivan's landfall in Alabama, and a full report with video and photos has been posted. Left: Trees snapped in half block northbound lanes of Interstate 65 north of Mobile, Alabama.
[ Full story, video and photos ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO: Ivan roars into Mobile: Storm Highway Video Clip

Hurricane Frances: Affects felt from FL to WV
FORT PIERCE, FL - Storm Highway filmed on-location at the coastal site of Hurricane Frances' landfall, and a full report with video and photos has been posted. The remnants of Frances traversed West Virginia several days later, with flooding reported in western sections of the state. In the meantime, Ivan is looming and could give Florida yet another devastating impact by Monday or Tuesday, before possibly giving West Virginia a second round of tropical flooding rains. Left: Flying debris was a hazard during the onslaught of Hurricane Frances.
[ Full story, video and photos ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO: Frances wreaks havoc on Florida: Storm Highway Video Clip

August 29: Stormy Saturday night
FRAMETOWN, WV - The skies along the Interstate 79 corridor were dominated by explosive thunderstorms overnight into Sunday morning. Most of the state experienced multiple thunderstorms during the overnight hours - and with brilliant, loud and close lightning, strong winds and torrential downpours, staying asleep wasn't easy. Right: Lightning along I-79 on Sunday morning.
[ Full Story ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO: Frequent, close and bright lightning in central WV: Storm Highway Video Clip

On TV: August 28: Cooling off on the rapids
FAYETTEVILLE, WV - Coping with hot and humid conditions in the state this weekend was no easier than on a raft or kayak in the New River Gorge. Temperatures reached 90 degrees in some locations before afternoon storms brought a brief cooldown. Right: Rafters negotiate rapids on the New River in Fayette County, from Storm Highway video on The Weather Channel on August 28.
[ Full Story ]

On TV: August 10: Severe storms pound state
CHARLESTON, WV - Severe thunderstorms charged across the state on August 10, with large hail, strong winds, heavy rain and frequent lightning. Hail up to the size of quarters was reported in many locations. Street flooding was also a problem as heavy rains inundated the area. Right: Lightning lights up the sky in Dunbar, WV in one of several strong storms to affect the area on August 10.
[ Full Story ]

On TV: July 29: Fog brings low visibilites
CHARLESTON, WV - Dense fog was widespread across parts of the state on Thursday morning. While the warm rivers kept valleys somewhat clear, driving anywhere else was tricky due to the reduced visibilites. At Yeager Airport, planes taking off were completely obscured from view. Left: Dense fog hangs over Charleston, from Storm Highway video on The Weather Channel on July 29.
[ Full Story ]

On TV: July 25: Sunday evening downpours
HUNTINGTON, WV - After a quiet Sunday afternoon, storms rolled into the Charleston-Huntington metro areas after dark. Heavy rain and lightning arrived first in Huntington around 11PM, and later in the Charleston area after midnight. The storms are the first sign of an active weather pattern that will affect the area again on Monday. Right: Lightning explodes in the sky over the Cabell County courthouse in Huntington, from Storm Highway video on The Weather Channel on July 25.
[ Full Story ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO: Lightning in Huntington: Storm Highway Video Clip

On TV: July 22: Summer storms make a comeback
SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV - After an over two-week period of mostly dry weather, two rounds of storms and heavy rain affected the Mountain State on Thursday. The first batch of storms lasted much of the afternoon and brought up to 2 inches of rain to parts of the region. Minor flooding was reported in several locations. Later in the evening, a second round of storms with a display of frequent lightning affected western and southern parts of the state. Right: Lightning fills the sky above Route 119 near Alum Creek, south of Charleston.
[ Full Story ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO: Lightning along Corridor G: Storm Highway Video Clip

On TV: WOWK-TV Channel 13 ran a story on Storm Highway on Wednesday, July 14 during the 11 o'clock news. If you missed it, you can view the video online, courtesy of WOWK-TV. A big thanks to Spencer Adkins and Channel 13 for running the story!

WOWK-TV NEWS CLIP: RealVideo, 9MB
LINK: WOWK-TV web site

So who are these 'storm chasers'?
So what's with the storm chasers? Are they high-risk adrenaline junkies? Is the hobby of chasing tornadoes a dangerous 'extreme sport'? What about all these newspaper articles that say storm chasers are 'tornado tourists' that block roads, celebrate destruction, and cause havoc in storm-ravaged towns? We're bringing you 'the rest of the story': Most storm chasers are responsible, safety-oriented and helping keep communites safe during severe weather. Read about what storm chasing, and the people who make up the hobby, are really like in our Storm Chasing & Photography FAQ.
[ Full Story ]

FAQ: Storm Chasing & Photography FAQ
PROFILES: Meet storm chasers from around the world in the Storm Chaser Database

On TV: July 10: Saturday storms blanket state
LIBERTY, WV - Thunderstorms covered West Virginia on Saturday, affecting almost every county in the Mountain State. Many locations, such as Kanawha and Putnam Counties, endured two or three storms before the day was over. Flash flooding was reported in various locations across Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Right: A truck drives through floodwaters on Allens Fork Road on Saturday, from Storm Highway video on The Weather Channel on July 10. [ Full Story ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO: Flooding on Allens Fork: Storm Highway Video Clip

2004: Year of the photogenic tornado
GREAT PLAINS USA - Most storm chasers regard the 2004 Plains storm season, which peaked in late May and came to a close last month, as one of the best ever for breathtaking, picture-perfect tornadoes over the open prairies. Our trip to Tornado Alley this year yielded an incredible twelve tornado intercepts in four states. Come along for the ride with our 2004 season recap, a daily chase logbook with photographs and video documenting four weeks of following the big storms on the open Plains.
[ Event logbook, photos and video ]

July 6: Storms rumble across Appalachia
CHARLESTON, WV - Lightning and thunder kept many residents of Kentucky and West Virginia awake on Tuesday night. More thunderstorms, some possibly severe, may affect the same locations on Wednesday.
[ Full Story and More Photos ]

July 2: Fallen WVAH tower rebuilding under way
SCOTT DEPOT, WV - Work is in progress on a brand-new, very large television tower to replace the 1,500-foot tall structure holding the WVAH antenna that collapsed on February 19, 2003 after a heavy ice storm. The new tower is being constructed immediately adjacent to the existing WCHS television tower, and it appears that the new structure will eventually replace both the collapsed structure and the existing smaller tower. Right: A massive new television tower rises skyward near Scott Depot, WV, dwarfing the nearly 1200-foot tall tower next to it.
[ Full Story and More Photos ]

STORY ARCHIVES: WVAH tower collapse

June 12: Tornadoes hit Kansas
MULVANE, KS - A supercell south of Wichita produced three incredible tornadoes in rural south central Kansas on Saturday.
[ Full Story, Video and Photos ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO 1: F3 tornado hits house: Storm Highway Video Clip
EXPEDITION VIDEO 2: Lightning and tornado: GIF Animation, 407KB
EXPEDITION VIDEO 3: Tornado at sunset: Storm Highway Video Clip
EXPEDITION VIDEO 4: Tornado descends: Storm Highway Video Clip
EXPEDITION VIDEO 5: Dusk lightning show: Storm Highway Video Clip
EXPEDITION VIDEO 6: Lightning from developing supercell: Storm Highway Video Clip

June 1: Severe weather in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, WV - Severe storms with strong winds moved through West Virginia on Tuesday evening, causing widespread wind damage incidents. Many areas were still without power on Tuesday night, including Southridge Center and numerous neighborhoods in Charleston. A second round of lightning and thunder rolled across the state overnight Tuesday night, and additional storms are possible through Wednesday. Right: Lightning over the WV State Capitol on Tuesday night.
[ Full Story and More Photos ]

May 29: Memorial Day weekend outbreaks
CALUMET, OK - Saturday and Sunday brought one of the biggest two-day severe weather outbreaks in the country's history. Tornadoes, large hail and very strong winds pounded areas from Oklahoma and Kansas all the way to Kentucky and Indiana. Right: A tornado touches down near Calumet, Oklahoma on Saturday.
[ Full Story and More Photos ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO: Tornadoes in Oklahoma on Saturday: Storm Highway Video Clip

May 26: Oklahoma tornadoes
PAWNEE, OK - Severe thunderstorms once again pounded a large portion of the USA on Wednesday with large hail, high winds and tornadoes, from Oklahoma and Kansas to Kentucky and Tennessee. Right: A tornado touches down near Pawnee, Oklahoma on Wednesday.
[ Full Story and More Photos ]

May 21: Nebraska tornado
NORFOLK, NE - Severe storms with hail, high winds, and tornadoes affected a large portion of the United States on Friday. Tornadoes raked Iowa and Nebraska in the afternoon and late evening. In West Virginia, a strong line of storms caused wind damage across many areas of the state. The storm system also put on a spectacular lightning show. Right: A tornado touches down near Hadar, Nebraska on Friday.
[ Full Story and More Photos ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO: Nebraska tornado on Friday: Storm Highway Video Clip
EXPEDITION VIDEO: Nebraska lightning show on Friday: Storm Highway Video Clip
CHASE PHOTOS: Nebraska lightning: Gallery

May 12: Tornadoes in Kansas
ATTICA, KS - Several tornadoes touched down in southwestern Kansas on Wednesday. Here are some video captures from a storm chase expedition to the event, more details to come. Right: Large tornado in Attica, Kansas.
[ Full Story and More Photos ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO 1: Tornado southwest of Sharon - Storm Highway Video Clip
EXPEDITION VIDEO 2: Large tornado in Attica - Storm Highway Video Clip
EXPEDITION VIDEO 3: Tornado after dark near Harper - Storm Highway Video Clip

May 7: Strong storms in WV
JANE LEW, WV - A line of strong thunderstorms raced across north-central West Virginia on Friday afternoon, with a barrage of frequent lightning and damaging winds.
[ Full Story and More Photos ]

Storm Highway in the news: Storm Highway was featured in a front-page article in Saturday's edition of the Charleston Daily Mail, Charleston's daily afternoon newspaper. On Thursday, WOWK-TV (Channel 13) in Charleston aired a story on Storm Highway on Channel 13's 6:00PM newscast. A big thanks to meteorologist Spencer Adkins, WOWK-TV, the Daily Mail and reporter Brad McElhinny for assembling and running the stories.

NEWS LINK: Charleston Daily Mail article

May 4: Frost in May
CHARLESTON, WV - Dense fog, chilly air and scattered frost greeted Charleston residents on Tuesday morning. Temperatures will be on the rise throughout the week, with storms returning to the forecast starting Wednesday. Right: Frost covers grass along Cantley Drive in Charleston, from Storm Highway video on The Weather Channel on Tuesday.
[ Full Story ]

May 1: Thunderstorms in central Ohio
CIRCLEVILLE, OH - After dampening the Kentucky Derby racetrack at Churchill Downs in Louisville, thunderstorms rolled across the state line into Ohio, affecting the Cincinatti, Dayton and Columbus metro areas with lightning and heavy rain. The storms weakened after sunset, but more activity is expected on Sunday across parts of the region, including West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. Right: Lightning near Circleville, Ohio on Saturday evening.
[ Full Story ]

April 28: Frosty Wednesday morning
CHARLESTON, WV - Temperatures dropped to around 30 degrees in and around Charleston on Wednesday morning, prompting the formation of frost on just about everything outside. Right: Scraping ice from windshields was a common sight in Charleston this morning, from Storm Highway video on The Weather Channel on Wednesday.
[ Full Story ]

April 20-25: Stormy week ends on Sunday
CHARLESTON, WV - Thunderstorms affected most parts of the state from the early morning hours Sunday, through the day, and into the overnight hours on Monday. The active weekend began with storms near Princeton and Bluefield on Friday evening, with a break in the rain on Saturday. The week's active weather was a product of a persistent frontal boundary remaining in our area this week. The passage of the cold front will bring cooler, calmer weather for the next few days. Right: Anvil crawler lightning discharge over Interstate 64 in Kanawha City on Sunday morning.
[ Full Story ]

April 17: Light show in northern Ohio
FAIRVIEW, OH - Severe thunderstorms developed across parts of northern Ohio on Saturday night, producing hail and frequent lightning. The storms drifted southeast, reaching I-70 by midnight with a display of intense cloud-to-ground lightning. Right: Lightning along I-70 in Fairview, Ohio, from Storm Highway video on The Weather Channel on Sunday.
[ Full Story ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO: Lightning in Fairview, OH: Storm Highway Video Clip

April 10: Tower lightning in North Carolina
RALEIGH, NC - On April 10, storms traversed the Raleigh metro area, sending a barrage of lightning around parts of the city. The three big television towers in Garner were struck repeatedly during the storms. North Carolina saw several days of stormy weather during the first weeks of April. Right: Lightning strikes the WRAL television tower in Raleigh.
[ Full Story ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO: Lightning strikes towers in Garner, NC: Storm Highway Video Clip

Hurricane Isabel photos and video

Storm Highway on-location coverage of Hurricane Isabel's landfall in North Carolina in 2003.

On TV: April 4: Winter tries for a comeback
SUMMERSVILLE - Heavy snow fell in the mountains once again on Sunday, leaving residents of eastern West Virginia to wonder about the date on the calendar. Right: Snow falls on daffodils in Summersville, from Storm Highway video on The Weather Channel on April 4 and 5.
[ Full Story ]

On TV: April 1: Snowy start to April
BECKLEY - Moderate snowfall affected the mountain regions of West Virginia starting Thursday afternoon, mainly at elevations above 2000 feet. Winter storm watches and warnings were in effect for most of the mountain counties in eastern WV, with up to 12 inches of snow possible in the northern portions of the higher elevations. Left: Snow covers car windows in Beckley, from Storm Highway video on The Weather Channel on April 1 and 2.
[ Full Story ]

On TV: March 31: Soggy week continues
CHARLESTON - Rain continued as a closed upper low pressure system spun over West Virginia this week. The slow-moving low pressure center kept rain and even snow for the mountains in the forecast. Right: A rainy scene on Lee Street in Charleston, West Virginia, from Storm Highway video on The Weather Channel on Wednesday and Thursday.
[ Full Story ]

March 30: Thundering skies
LAWRENCE COUNTY, OH - A closed low pressure system brought thunderstorms to West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio on Tuesday afternoon. The same system is forecast to bring several inches of snow to the mountains of West Virginia on Wednesday. Right: Lightning near Lawrence County, Ohio on Tuesday
[ Full Story ]

On TV: March 22: Winter says "Not so fast"
CHARLESTON and HAMLIN - Just one day after temperatures in the 70s and thunderstorms on the first day of spring, winter makes it known that it's not done with West Virginia just yet. Heavy snow showers drifted over much of the state overnight late Sunday into Monday morning, particularly in areas such as Lincoln and Nicholas Counties. During the day on Monday, the snow and cold persisted in Charleston with a few peeks of sunshine making it through the clouds. Right: Snow flies at the State Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia, from Storm Highway video on The Weather Channel on March 22 and 23.
[ Full Story ]

On TV: March 18: Spring arrives with a bang
HUNTINGTON - Springtime officially arrived on Saturday, but that didn't phase a line of thunderstorms from bringing a spring-like lightning display to southern West Virginia on March 18. Thursday's storms moved across the coalfields counties as well as Huntington, Beckley and Bluefield. More widespread showers and storms rolled through the area again on Saturday night. Right: Lightning near Huntington, from Storm Highway video broadcast nationally on The Weather Channel on March 18 and 19.
[ Full Story ]

EXPEDITION VIDEO: Lightning in and around Huntington: RealVideo, 6.4MB

On TV: March 18: Rainy night
CHARLESTON - Temperatures hovered above freezing in Charleston, keeping the precipitation in liquid form and confining snowfall to the northern and mountain regions of West Virginia. Right: A rainy night sky above the State Capitol, from Storm Highway video broadcast nationally on The Weather Channel on March 18.
[ Full Story ]

March 6: Minor flooding across WV
GRIFFITHSVILLE - Up to 2 inches of rain fell on many parts of West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky on March 6. Minor flooding was experienced in some areas, including on Straight Fork in Lincoln County (right) where water covered Route 3 in many locations.
[ Full Story & Photos ]

On TV: March 4: Spring getting closer
CHARLESTON - Warming temperatures and rain are beginning to make things look a lot like springtime in West Virginia. Temperatures in the 70s and thunderstorms are expected for Friday in the Mountain State. Right: A KRT trolley-bus on a rainy Capitol Street in downtown Charleston, from Storm Highway video broadcast nationally on The Weather Channel on March 4.
[ Full Story ]

On TV Worldwide - Our video footage of lightning and thunderstorms are featured in a National Geographic series titled "Built for Destruction" by Emmy award-winning Darlow Smithson Productions. Built for Destruction: Lightning is currently airing overseas on National Geographic Channel International. A USA air date may be announced soon.

LINK: National Geographic Canada

On TV: February 2: Rain for a change
CHARLESTON - Precipitation in Charleston was in liquid form, in contrast to the past few weeks of snow and ice. Freezing rain was still a problem in and east of the mountain counties. Right: Rain-covered Corridor G near MacCorkle Avenue in Charleston, from Storm Highway video broadcast nationally on The Weather Channel on February 2.
[ Full Story ]

On TV: January 27: The Cold Returns
CHARLESTON - A cold front moved quickly through West Virginia on Tuesday, bringing an abrupt end to the break in below average temperatures. For Charleston, it was back to the cold and snow that the region has been dealing with for the past month. Right: A city snowplow clears Dudley Drive in the Shadowlawn neighborhood in Charleston Tuesday night, from Storm Highway video broadcast nationally on The Weather Channel on January 27.
[ Full Story and Photos ]

January 25: Not a good day to travel
CHARLESTON - A potent winter storm system rolled through the central Appalachians on Sunday, producing significant freezing rain, sleet and snow. Ice accumulation was widespread in West Virginia. Driving and even walking were difficult tasks throughout the day and into the evening. More ice was expected on Monday to the east of the mountains into Virginia and North Carolina.
[ Full Story and Photos ]

On TV: January 19: Snowy Monday
CHARLESTON - Clusters of snow showers moved over the Charleston area Monday after the passage of a cold front on Sunday. Temperatures were in the 20s at noon. Right: A cold, snowy scene on Court Street in downtown Charleston, from Storm Highway video broadcast nationally on The Weather Channel on January 19.
[ Full Story ]

On TV Worldwide - Our video footage of lightning and thunderstorms will be featured in a National Geographic series titled "Built for Destruction" by Emmy award-winning Darlow Smithson Productions. Built for Destruction: Lightning premiers in Canada on the National Geographic Channel on Monday, January 19 at 9PM Eastern, and in New Zealand and Australia later next month.

LINK: National Geographic Canada

On TV: January 9: Slick Roads
CHARLESTON - A band of snow showers traversed the state overnight on January 8, causing roads to quickly become slippery into the morning of January 9. Right: A pickup truck slides out of control on a snow-covered Davis Creek Road in Charleston, from Storm Highway video broadcast nationally on The Weather Channel on January 9.
[ Full Story ]

NEWS VIDEO: A truck spins out of control on snowy Davis Creek Road: Storm Highway Video Clip

On TV: January 2: Rain & Fog in Charleston: A complex and potent weather system moving through the region coupled with above average temperatures is also bringing a few chances for midwinter lightning and thunder to the Mountain State. The potential for thunderstorms will continue through the weekend for West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. Right: Rainy morning on Capitol Street in downtown Charleston, from Storm Highway video broadcast nationally on The Weather Channel on January 2.
[ Full Story ]