WEATHER ALERT - Storms And High Winds

(07/12/2003)
WEATHER ALERT - Storms And High Winds 2 PM = The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for 43 counties in West Virginia through 6 pm this evening. This time could be extended.

Hail up to two inches in diameter, gusts up to 70 miles an hour and dangerous lightning are possible.

Residents in the counties, which cover all but the eastern-most parts of the state, should stay on the lookout for threatening conditions. Tornadoes are possible.

An unstable airmass has developed over several central and eastern states, with cold upper-air temperatures making hail possible and a moderate wind shear raising the chance of wind damage.

Many parts of West Virginia are still reeling from wind and water damage from a series of storms earlier this week.

As of noon today (Saturday), some 1,400 customers of American Electric Power remained without power following Thursday's thunderstorms. Most were in Cabell, Kanawha and Wayne counties.