Charleston, WV – Damaging winds and lightning could disrupt travel and outdoor plans across most of West Virginia and southeast Ohio today, with storms developing late this morning and continuing into the evening hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, a marginal risk of severe weather covers cities including Huntington, Parkersburg, Beckley, and Athens, Ohio. Potential hazards include gusty winds, isolated hail, cloud-to-ground lightning, and locally heavy downpours.
While the risk level remains low on the Storm Prediction Center’s five-tier scale, isolated storms could produce conditions strong enough to down tree limbs or cause brief power outages. Mountain and lowland temperatures are expected to reach the low to mid-70s, increasing the chance of atmospheric instability this afternoon. Areas like Snowshoe and Elkins may also experience short bursts of heavy rain during peak commute hours.
Residents are urged to stay weather-aware throughout the day. Avoid outdoor activities during storms, secure loose objects, and keep mobile devices charged in case of outages. Although today brings the primary threat, scattered showers are likely again Tuesday, with a drier break possible midweek before more rain late Thursday.
More updates are expected if conditions worsen. Watches or warnings could still be issued.
