Charleston, W.Va. – Skies across West Virginia may light up tonight with rare aurora displays as meteorological fall begins. Residents across the Kanawha Valley and beyond are urged to look north after sunset for a possible Northern Lights show lasting into Tuesday morning.
According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, a strong solar storm triggered by a coronal mass ejection could make auroras visible well south of their usual range. Clear skies over Charleston and much of the Mountain State may offer ideal viewing conditions, though drivers along I-64 and U.S. 119 should watch for patchy fog after midnight.
Temperatures remain comfortable, with highs near 82 on Tuesday and light winds. Clouds will increase midweek, bringing chances of showers and thunderstorms by Wednesday afternoon. The National Weather Service reports storm chances climbing to 70 percent by Thursday, which may disrupt outdoor plans and slow commutes around Charleston, Huntington, and Beckley.
Residents are encouraged to limit nonessential travel during heavy rain periods, especially on mountain roads prone to slick conditions. Keep devices charged in case of brief power outages and stay tuned to local alerts as storms strengthen later this week.
The best viewing for the aurora will occur in rural areas with little light pollution. Skies may glow green or red, depending on storm strength. Weather alerts remain in effect through Tuesday morning, with updates expected if geomagnetic activity continues.
Five Day Forecast for Charleston, WV
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high near 82.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, storms possible after 11 a.m., high near 79.
- Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, high near 78.
- Friday: Sunny, high near 79.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high near 77.
