Charleston, West Virginia – West Virginia is now included in a lower-end but increasing winter storm risk for the upcoming weekend, as forecasters monitor a developing system that could bring accumulating snow and hazardous travel conditions, according to the NOAA Weather Prediction Center.
The outlook covers 7 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Monday, when a strengthening storm system may affect the Interstate 64 and Interstate 79 corridors, including Charleston, Huntington, Clarksburg, and surrounding mountain communities.
As of Monday evening, West Virginia is placed in a 10% probability zone for at least moderate winter storm impacts, with forecasters noting that probabilities are trending upward as confidence in the overall pattern improves. Officials caution that exact snowfall amounts and locations remain uncertain, especially given complex terrain.
What forecasters know:
- Very cold Arctic air will be entrenched across the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians, ensuring any precipitation falls as snow, particularly at higher elevations.
- A high-altitude disturbance is expected to dive out of Canada late Thursday, then deepen across the eastern U.S. by Saturday.
- This setup is likely to generate a surface low-pressure system, which could spread widespread precipitation into the central Appalachians.
- Mountain terrain increases the risk of locally higher snowfall totals, even if the broader system remains weaker.
What remains uncertain:
- The exact track of the surface low
- Whether the strongest snow bands favor lowlands or higher elevations
- The duration and intensity of snowfall during the Friday–Monday window
Because temperatures are expected to remain below freezing throughout the period, even lighter snowfall could result in slick roads, reduced visibility, and difficult mountain travel, especially along I-64, I-79, U.S. 33, and U.S. 50.
Residents are urged to monitor forecast updates closely through midweek, particularly those planning weekend travel through mountain passes, as probabilities may continue to rise if forecast confidence improves.
