West Virginia – Calm weather won’t last long across the Mountain State. By Tuesday afternoon, an unusually strong cold front is expected to ignite widespread thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes, and torrential rain that could quickly create dangerous travel conditions.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms covers much of West Virginia on Tuesday afternoon and evening. Forecasters say confidence is increasing that scattered to numerous severe storms will develop ahead of the approaching cold front before continuing into Tuesday night.
The primary threat is damaging straight-line wind gusts, but large hail, isolated tornadoes, and localized flash flooding are all possible with the strongest storms. Heavy rainfall may overwhelm creeks, low-water crossings, and poor-drainage areas, especially where multiple storms track over the same locations.
Communities including Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Beckley, Clarksburg, Elkins, and Morgantown should prepare for rapidly changing weather Tuesday. Motorists traveling on Interstates 64, 77, 79, and 68, along with the West Virginia Turnpike, could encounter torrential rain, reduced visibility, fallen tree limbs, and isolated flooding during the afternoon and evening commute.
The National Weather Service notes the greatest severe weather potential extends across southeast Ohio, northeast Kentucky, and much of West Virginia, where storms may become more organized as they move east.
Use Monday’s quieter weather to secure outdoor furniture, charge mobile devices, and review your severe weather plan. Have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially if you’ll be outdoors Tuesday afternoon or evening.
