Charleston, West Virginia – Snow-covered roads and sudden whiteouts will make travel dangerous across much of West Virginia through early Tuesday, with mountain communities facing up to a foot of accumulation and wind gusts near 45 mph.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 1 a.m. Tuesday for central, northern and southeastern counties. Higher terrain locations including Snowshoe, Webster Springs, Elkins and Fayetteville are forecast to receive 5 to 12 inches of snow, with locally higher totals possible along the ridges.
Lower elevations, including Charleston, Huntington area communities, Clarksburg and Parkersburg, are expected to see 3 to 5 inches. Even these amounts will create slick conditions on bridges and overpasses, especially as gusty winds between 35 and 45 mph produce blowing and drifting snow.
The Monday morning and evening commutes will be heavily impacted along I-79, I-77, U.S. 33 and the West Virginia Turnpike near Beckley. Whiteout conditions could develop quickly in open and higher elevation areas, making travel potentially life-threatening.
Officials urge residents to delay non-essential travel, check 511 for updated road conditions and carry a winter survival kit if driving is unavoidable. Snow showers and gusty winds will persist through Monday night before gradually easing early Tuesday, though slick spots may linger beyond the warning period.
