Lewisburg, W.Va. — Winter storm and high wind warnings went active across Western Greenbrier County Friday morning, placing U.S. 219 and I-64 at risk for dangerous travel as snow totals climb toward 10 inches by Saturday evening.
The National Weather Service in Blacksburg said the heaviest snow targets the higher elevations of Western Greenbrier, where an additional 4 to 10 inches piles up from Friday afternoon through Saturday. Snow spreads along U.S. 219 from the Monroe County line north through Lewisburg, while lighter but disruptive accumulations of 1 to 6 inches impact lower elevations along I-64 and WV 55.
Compounding the danger, high wind warnings take effect Friday evening with gusts reaching 60 mph along the western slopes of the Blue Ridge and across exposed ridges in Greenbrier County. The combination of falling snow and strong winds sharply reduces visibility, especially on open stretches of I-64 between the Sam Black Church and White Sulphur Springs exits.
The West Virginia Department of Transportation warned that untreated secondary roads and bridges turn slick quickly, with braking distances increasing and drifting snow redeveloping even after plows pass.
Impacts concentrate near Lewisburg, White Sulphur Springs, Rainelle, Rupert, Quinwood, and Alderson, particularly along U.S. 219, U.S. 60, and WV 55. Elevated routes south toward Union and east toward Caldwell see the worst blowing snow and falling tree limbs as winds peak overnight.
Snow and wind gradually weaken Saturday evening, but lingering slick spots persist into early Sunday morning. Another cold push follows, locking in refreeze conditions and keeping mountain roads hazardous well after the snow ends.
