CHARLESTON, WV – The air feels calm but cool over the Kanawha Valley this early Tuesday, and by week’s end, that quiet calm may turn icy. A stretch of dry skies and crisp nights will settle over central West Virginia, and forecasters say the season’s first patchy frost could arrive by Friday morning — a clear sign that late fall is stepping forward.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, high pressure will dominate through Thursday, allowing daytime warmth to linger but nighttime temperatures to plunge. Lows will dip into the mid-30s Thursday night, especially in sheltered valleys and along rural sections of I-64 and Route 60. Gardeners should plan now to cover tender plants, while early commuters may need to scrape frost from windshields before sunrise Friday.
Skies will stay mostly sunny through midweek, with highs near 60 to 62 degrees. Winds from the west will remain light but steady, helping dry out lawns and driveways after scattered showers earlier Tuesday. The cool, still nights will enhance radiational cooling — ideal conditions for frost formation before dawn.
To be fair, temperatures rebound quickly into the upper 60s by Saturday, bringing a pleasant stretch for outdoor cleanup or early Halloween decorating. However, another round of cooler air could slide in late Sunday, hinting at a stronger cold snap before month’s end.
The message this week is simple: fall’s gentler warmth is fading, and frost season in the Mountain State is officially on the horizon.
Five-Day Forecast for Charleston, WV:
Tue: 68/44 – Chance of showers; clearing late.
Wed: 61/41 – Mostly sunny; light southwest breeze.
Thu: 60/34 – Sunny; calm, crisp air develops.
Fri: 60/38 – Patchy frost early; bright and cool.
Sat: 62/43 – Partly sunny; mild afternoon warmth.
