Beckley, West Virginia – Arctic air is expected to continue influencing southern West Virginia from Jan. 24 through Jan. 30, though confidence in sustained below-normal temperatures is lower than farther north as the region sits near the southern edge of the cold pattern.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, southern West Virginia falls within a roughly 50 percent probability zone for below-normal temperatures during the Jan. 24–30 period. This places the area in a transition zone, where cold air remains nearby but allows for occasional moderation, especially during daytime hours.
Across the southern coalfields and higher elevations, including Beckley, Bluefield, and Oak Hill, daytime highs are expected to dip below late-January averages at times, while overnight lows frequently fall into the teens and 20s. Cold air pooling in mountain valleys could allow icy conditions to linger on secondary roads and mountain routes such as U.S. Route 19, Route 52, and portions of the West Virginia Turnpike.
In lower elevations toward Logan, Williamson, and the Tug Fork Valley, temperatures may fluctuate more noticeably. Brief warm-ups are possible, but nights are still expected to be cold enough to support refreezing on bridges, overpasses, and untreated roadways.
The West Virginia Division of Highways urges drivers to remain cautious during early morning and nighttime travel, particularly in higher terrain. Residents are encouraged to monitor temperature swings closely, protect exposed pipes during colder nights, and remain weather-aware.
While confidence is lower than across northern West Virginia, the broader Arctic pattern remains influential, keeping below-normal temperatures a continued possibility across southern West Virginia through Jan. 30.
