Charleston, West Virginia – A sharp shift back to winter weather is expected across central and northern West Virginia beginning Wednesday night, bringing a transition from rain to snow, falling temperatures, and lingering snow chances through the upcoming weekend.
Drivers in the Charleston area will notice mild conditions early, with highs reaching the mid-50s Tuesday under mostly dry skies. That warmth fades quickly Wednesday as a cold front pushes in from the west. Rain showers are expected to develop Wednesday afternoon and evening before colder air moves in overnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, temperatures are forecast to drop rapidly Wednesday night, falling from the 40s into the lower 20s by early Thursday. As colder air filters in, rain is expected to transition to snow, especially overnight. A brief wintry mix is possible in the northeast mountains before snow becomes more dominant.
By Thursday morning, snow showers could impact travel, particularly across higher elevations and north-facing slopes. Reinforcing cold fronts are expected to follow, allowing lake-enhanced snow showers to persist through Friday and into the weekend, mainly across the central and northern mountains.
Daytime highs Thursday are expected to struggle into the mid-30s in the lowlands, with colder conditions in the mountains. Friday highs remain near the mid-30s, followed by another clipper system Saturday that could bring additional light to moderate snow, with higher accumulation potential in the northeast mountains.
By Sunday, temperatures cool further, with highs near 29 degrees in the lowlands and teens overnight. While snow amounts in the Charleston metro are expected to remain light, repeated snow showers could create slick spots, especially during early morning and nighttime hours.
Residents are urged to monitor changing road conditions, particularly late Wednesday night through Thursday morning. Even brief snow bursts combined with falling temperatures may lead to icy patches on bridges and secondary roads. Additional advisories are possible as confidence increases in snow coverage and intensity through the weekend.
