CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A thick layer of fog settled across the Kanawha Valley early this morning, dimming headlights and blurring streetlights before dawn. The gray stillness marks the start of a major pattern shift for West Virginia—rain returns Sunday, and the state’s first widespread snow chance of the season could follow by Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, areas of dense fog are reducing visibility below a quarter mile across multiple counties, including Putnam, Kanawha, Fayette, and Nicholas. Conditions are expected to improve between 8 and 9 a.m., but drivers should stay cautious, especially on I-64, Route 60, and U.S. 119 where slick pavement and sudden visibility drops are possible.
Rain builds late Sunday as temperatures fall sharply behind a cold front sweeping in from the Ohio Valley. By early Monday, that rain could change to wet snow across the higher ridges and even mix into the valleys if colder air arrives faster than expected. Little accumulation is forecast for now, but brief slick spots could affect the Monday morning commute. Gusty northwest winds may also push wind chills into the 20s by Veterans Day.
Residents planning outdoor weekend events should watch changing conditions closely and secure decorations or light displays ahead of the cold surge. Dress in layers, check wiper blades, and keep an eye on bridges and shaded roads that could freeze first. To be fair, it’s not a major storm—but it’s a clear reminder that West Virginia’s winter rhythm is knocking at the door.
Five-Day Forecast for Charleston, WV:
Sat: 66/46 – Partly sunny; patchy dense fog early.
Sun: 59/29 – Rain developing; steady winds by evening.
Mon: 37/25 – Snow likely; colder, gusty northwest winds.
Tue (Veterans Day): 42/34 – Mostly sunny; brisk and chilly.
Wed: 57/35 – Mostly sunny; gradual late-week warming.
