Snowshoe, WV – Residents across the mountain ridges of West Virginia are preparing for dangerous travel conditions as a major winter storm is expected to dump up to 7 inches of snow from Friday morning through Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, a Winter Storm Watch covers a broad section of the state, including Upshur, Barbour, Nicholas, Webster, Pocahontas, and Randolph counties. Forecasters are warning of heavy snow accumulations and intense wind gusts reaching 50 mph. These powerful winds could bring down tree branches and power lines while creating significant whiteout conditions that will drastically reduce visibility on higher-elevation roadways.
The hazardous conditions are timed to impact the Friday evening commute, particularly on mountain passes near Elkins, Summersville, and Buckhannon. West Virginia Division of Highways crews are expected to be active on primary routes like US-33 and US-219, but officials urge motorists to avoid unnecessary travel as roads become slippery and unpredictable. To prepare, residents should ensure their homes are stocked with essentials and vehicles are equipped with emergency kits containing blankets and flashlights. The threat of falling snow and blowing drifts is expected to persist until the system finally exits the region Saturday morning.
Five Day Forecast for Snowshoe, WV
• Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy and cold with a low of 21°F.
• Thursday: Clear skies and crisp with a high of 24°F; lows near 13°F.
• Friday: Heavy snow and wind developing; high of 31°F with visibility dropping by afternoon.
• Saturday: Light snow showers ending early; turning sharply colder with a high of 22°F.
• Sunday: Partly sunny and frigid with a high of 31°F and sub-zero overnight wind chills.
