Charleston, West Virginia – Temperatures will plunge to freezing within hours tonight, creating a widespread frost threat that could damage crops and outdoor plumbing across north-central West Virginia.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, a Freeze Warning is in effect from midnight through 10 a.m. Thursday for Taylor, Upshur, Barbour, northwest Randolph, northwest Webster, and southeast Pocahontas counties. Overnight lows are expected to fall to around 30 degrees, cold enough to produce damaging frost.
Communities including Elkins, Buckhannon, Philippi, Grafton, Marlinton, and Webster Springs will see the coldest conditions during the pre-dawn hours. Calm winds and clear skies will allow temperatures to drop quickly, especially in valleys and rural areas.
Sensitive vegetation, including early spring crops and garden plants, could be killed if left unprotected. Outdoor plumbing, hoses, and irrigation systems are also at risk of freezing.
Residents should cover plants, bring potted vegetation indoors, and take steps to protect exposed pipes before midnight. Temperatures will rise after 10 a.m. Thursday, but additional cold alerts remain possible if the pattern continues.
