Charleston, West Virginia – A brutal wave of summer heat will grip West Virginia and southeast Ohio through Friday, with heat index values expected to soar past 104° today and possibly reach 108° by Friday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, a Heat Advisory is already in effect for Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., while an Extreme Heat Watch begins Friday morning and continues into the evening for Meigs, Gallia, and Lawrence counties in Ohio, and a wide swath of West Virginia from Wayne to Wirt counties.
Cities including Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, and Gallipolis will face intense heat and humidity capable of causing heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. Outdoor workers, children, seniors, and those without reliable air conditioning are especially vulnerable.
Local agencies urge residents to limit outdoor activity, stay hydrated, and check on neighbors, especially the elderly. Pets and children should never be left in vehicles, where interior temps can become deadly in minutes.
This level of heat is rare for late July and could rival similar surges in 2022 and 2011.
Heat alerts remain active through Friday night, and additional warnings may follow if temperatures continue to rise.
