Charleston, West Virginia – West Virginia remains under an elevated winter weather threat as lingering cold across the central Appalachians keeps the risk for additional snowstorms high through mid-February, following one of the most expansive winter systems of the season.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across West Virginia are expected to remain below normal for an extended stretch. With cold air firmly in place, any storm system tracking through the Ohio Valley or Mid-Atlantic would likely bring snow, and longer-range outlooks continue to signal an active pattern capable of producing periods of heavy accumulation.
The concern follows Winter Storm Fern, a massive system that swept from Texas to Maine and impacted more than two dozen states. Fern delivered widespread snowfall across West Virginia, with heavier totals reported in the mountains and along the I-64 and I-79 corridors. Travel conditions deteriorated rapidly on Interstates 64, 77, and 79, while secondary mountain roads became treacherous as snow piled up and temperatures dropped.
With cold conditions expected to linger, communities from Charleston and Huntington to Morgantown, Beckley, and the higher elevations of Pocahontas and Randolph counties could face renewed disruptions if similarly strong systems develop. West Virginia Division of Highways officials warn that repeated snow events can quickly strain plowing and treatment efforts, especially overnight when temperatures remain well below freezing and snow compacts into ice.
Emergency management officials are urging residents to prepare now by checking heating systems, restocking winter emergency supplies, and planning for possible travel delays. Drivers are encouraged to avoid non-essential travel during snow events and to monitor road conditions closely.
While the exact timing of future storms remains uncertain, forecasters say the broader pattern supports continued winter impacts. Additional advisories and warnings may be issued as confidence increases, with cold air and the threat of heavy snow likely remaining a persistent concern across West Virginia through mid-February.
