West Virginia – Thick valley fog is clinging to river bottoms and low-lying roads across central Appalachia, creating slow travel conditions as the day gets underway. Some drivers are encountering visibility below a quarter mile, making extra caution essential before the sunshine returns and temperatures climb into the upper 80s.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, areas of dense valley fog expanded through the morning across much of West Virginia, southeast Ohio and northeastern Kentucky. Visibility has fallen to less than one-quarter mile in the thickest fog, prompting a Special Weather Statement urging motorists to slow down, use low-beam headlights and allow extra travel time.
As the fog lifts through the late morning, skies will become partly sunny with a high near 89 degrees around Charleston. The dry weather won’t last all day. A 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms develops tonight, with the potential for locally heavy rainfall before additional rounds of rain arrive on Tuesday. Commuters along Interstates 64, 77 and 79 should remain alert for changing road conditions during the evening as wet pavement and reduced visibility return.
Tuesday looks noticeably wetter, with showers and thunderstorms likely through much of the day. While widespread severe weather is not highlighted in the current outlook, any stronger thunderstorm could produce brief heavy downpours, gusty winds and localized ponding on roads. Tornadoes are not the primary concern, but forecasters will continue monitoring the evolving weather pattern.
Conditions improve by Wednesday, when sunshine returns and afternoon highs settle into the lower 80s. Pleasant summer weather continues Thursday before scattered showers become possible again toward the weekend.
If you’re heading out this morning, reduce speed in fog-prone valleys and avoid sudden braking. Later today, keep an umbrella nearby and monitor the latest weather updates if you have evening travel plans.
Long-range outlooks continue to favor above-normal temperatures during the 6-to-10-day period, suggesting warmer-than-average conditions will return after this week’s brief cooldown.
Five-Day Forecast for Charleston, West Virginia
- Today: Partly sunny. High 89°. Morning fog, then increasing clouds. 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight.
- Tuesday: High 85°. Showers and thunderstorms likely (70% chance).
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny with a high near 82°.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny with a high near 83°.
- Friday: Mostly sunny with a high near 86°.
