Davis, W.Va. – The town of Davis woke up Wednesday to the coldest temperature in the continental United States, with a low of 28 degrees recorded just east of town. The reading marked a sharp contrast to the late August warmth much of the nation is still experiencing.
According to the National Weather Service, the 28°F low was measured early Wednesday morning about five miles east of Davis, making it the lowest temperature across the lower 48 states. At the same time, the country’s highest temperature was 105°F in Death Valley, California.
The cool air is not unusual for Tucker County, where higher elevations often dip well below surrounding areas, even in late summer. Residents and early-morning travelers reported patchy frost in mountain valleys, reminding locals that fall is quickly approaching.
Drivers in the highlands should remain alert for early-morning frost on shaded backroads, especially before sunrise when temperatures are at their lowest. Residents are also advised to protect late-summer gardens from sudden cold snaps.
Cooler mornings are expected to linger across the Allegheny Highlands through the weekend, though afternoon highs will return to the 60s and 70s.
