Charleston, West Virginia – Frost coats windshields, breath hangs in the air, and a biting wind cuts across the Kanawha Valley as a dangerous cold snap settles in early this morning. Temperatures sit in the low teens, but gusty northwest winds are driving wind chills to several degrees below zero, making even short trips outside feel punishing.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, a Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect from this evening through Sunday morning. Wind chills as low as 10 below zero are expected across northeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and much of West Virginia, including Charleston, Logan, Boone, and Raleigh counties. Prolonged exposure could lead to hypothermia without proper protection.
Across the state, the cold is already affecting daily routines. Drivers are encountering slick patches on secondary roads where melted snow refroze before sunrise. Bridges and overpasses along I-64 and I-77 remain especially vulnerable to flash freezing. Local emergency managers urge residents to limit time outdoors, cover exposed skin, and check on elderly neighbors.
Light snow flurries remain possible later today, though impacts will be minor compared to the cold. Skies gradually clear Sunday, but temperatures stay locked in winter mode. By Monday, sunshine returns, yet mornings remain frigid before a slow warmup begins midweek.
Looking ahead to early February, longer-range outlooks suggest colder-than-normal air lingering across the Mid-Atlantic, with additional chances for snow or a wintry mix by Tuesday and again late in the week. Even brief daytime melting could refreeze after sunset, keeping travel tricky.
Another update is expected later today as conditions evolve. Heading out this morning? Dress in layers, plan extra travel time, and watch for icy pavement. How cold did it feel in your neighborhood?
Five-Day Weather Outlook for Charleston, WV
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, slight chance of snow. High near 19°F.
- Sunday: Partly sunny and cold. High near 24°F.
- Monday: Mostly sunny. High near 34°F.
- Tuesday: Cloudy with a chance of rain or snow. High near 38°F.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, chance of snow. High near 33°F.
