Charleston, West Virginia – Dangerous cold conditions are impacting much of West Virginia today, with extreme wind chills and gusty winds creating hazardous conditions.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service in Charleston, dry and mostly sunny skies will be accompanied by bitterly cold air and breezy winds Saturday. Multiple cold-weather headlines remain in effect, including an Extreme Cold Warning, a Cold Weather Advisory, and a High Wind Warning for portions of the region.
Wind chills as low as 30 degrees below zero are possible in northwest Pocahontas and southeast Randolph counties, where an Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Sunday. Nearby areas, including southeast Webster and southeast Pocahontas counties, could see wind chills as low as 20 degrees below zero through the same period.
A broader Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect until 1 p.m. today for much of the region, with wind chills dropping to around 10 degrees below zero. In addition, a High Wind Warning continues until 10 p.m. today for northwest Pocahontas and southeast Randolph counties, where northwest winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 miles per hour are possible.
Travelers along major roadways such as Interstate 64, Interstate 77, Interstate 79, and U.S. Route 33 may experience rapidly worsening conditions due to wind exposure and extreme cold, particularly during the morning and evening hours.
The National Weather Service warns that prolonged exposure to these conditions can result in frostbite or hypothermia in a short amount of time. Residents are advised to limit time outdoors, dress in layers, and bring pets indoors.
For commuters, outdoor workers, and students, the cold may pose additional challenges through the weekend. The next chance for snow arrives Sunday, while rain and warmer temperatures are expected early next week.
