Marlinton, West Virginia – Drivers in eastern West Virginia could wake up to slick and icy roads Tuesday morning as freezing rain develops overnight, creating hazardous travel conditions across the higher terrain of Pocahontas and Randolph counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from midnight tonight through 7 a.m. Tuesday for northwest and southeast Pocahontas County as well as southeast Randolph County. Periods of freezing rain are expected to produce a light glaze of ice before temperatures rise enough for precipitation to change over to plain rain.
Most communities, including Marlinton, Harman, and Snowshoe, are expected to see light icing, but elevations above 3,500 feet could pick up ice accumulations approaching a tenth of an inch. Even small amounts of ice may make untreated roads, bridges, and elevated surfaces slippery during the early morning hours.
The highest risk for travel problems comes during the Tuesday morning commute, especially on mountain roads and secondary routes. Motorists are urged to slow down, allow extra stopping distance, and check road conditions before leaving home.
Conditions are expected to improve after sunrise as temperatures climb, though officials caution that lingering slick spots may persist in shaded and higher elevation areas through the morning.
