Charleston, WV – Gray skies hang over the Kanawha Valley this morning as chilly air and light snow hint at an early winter turn. By Saturday night, residents across West Virginia could see their first mix of steady rain and wet snow, signaling a fast-moving shift in holiday travel conditions through Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures near 30°F early Friday will rise into the upper 30s by afternoon under partly sunny skies. The quiet stretch won’t last long — snow showers are expected to return Saturday evening, with a likely rain–snow mix developing after midnight and continuing through Sunday.
Travelers heading back from Thanksgiving gatherings should prepare for slick bridges, reduced visibility, and patchy slush on mountain routes like I-77, I-79, and the West Virginia Turnpike. Light snow accumulation is possible in higher elevations, but the main concern will be cold rain and brief icy spots as temperatures fluctuate between 32°F and 40°F through early Monday.
Meteorologists say this system marks an early taste of December weather, with cooler air following close behind. A broader cold front will sweep across the eastern U.S. next week, dropping temperatures below seasonal norms from New England to the southern Appalachians.
Residents should expect brisk, breezy days early next week and keep an eye out for additional snow chances by midweek. The transition from mild rain to true winter chill could create the first frost and freeze alerts of the season.
5-Day Outlook (Charleston, WV)
Friday: Partly sunny, high 36°F.
Saturday: Increasing clouds, high 44°F.
Sunday: Rain and snow mix likely, high 48°F.
Monday: Mostly cloudy, high 40°F.
Tuesday: Chance of rain/snow, high near 39°F.
