Charleston, West Virginia – Drivers and residents across West Virginia should brace for a stormy stretch starting Wednesday, with severe thunderstorms and flooding possible through Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service Charleston office, a strong system will sweep into central and southern West Virginia by Wednesday afternoon, bringing damaging wind gusts, hail, and periods of heavy rainfall. Hazardous travel is expected along key routes including I-64, I-77, and local highways around Charleston and Kanawha County. Localized flash flooding could occur in low-lying areas and spots with poor drainage, especially after repeated rounds of storms.
Communities including Charleston, Huntington, Beckley, and Clarksburg could see showers and thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night, with rain chances around 60-80%. Winds could gust up to 21 mph by Tuesday night, setting the stage for unstable conditions.
By Thursday, storms remain possible, especially in the late morning and afternoon, before tapering to scattered showers. Temperatures will stay mild, with highs between 76°F and 84°F midweek. However, the threat for heavy downpours and gusty winds continues, creating risks for commuting delays and power outages.
Residents should monitor alerts closely, avoid driving through flooded roadways, and secure loose outdoor objects ahead of storms. Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant conditions to the NWS at www.weather.gov/rlx/reports.
5-Day Charleston Spring Weather Outlook:
- Wednesday: Showers and storms, high near 76°F.
- Thursday: Thunderstorms possible, partly sunny, high near 84°F.
- Friday: Showers likely, high near 77°F.
- Saturday: Mostly clear and cooler, high near 65°F.
- Sunday: Sunny, warming back up to near 69°F.
