Charleston, WV – The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a Special Weather Statement warning of potentially hazardous travel conditions overnight Friday into Saturday morning across much of West Virginia, southeast Ohio, eastern Kentucky, and far western Virginia.
According to the Weather Service, temperatures are expected to fall into the teens and 20s, causing any remaining moisture on roads to freeze. That could result in patchy black ice and slick travel conditions, especially on bridges, overpasses, and untreated secondary roads.
Forecasters also noted the potential for freezing fog and light freezing drizzle, particularly in the mountain and foothill regions of West Virginia and Virginia. These conditions may lead to a thin glaze of ice on vehicles and elevated surfaces.
Motorists are urged to use extra caution overnight and early Saturday, allowing extra time for travel and avoiding sudden braking. Visibility could be sharply reduced in areas of fog, especially before sunrise.
The statement covers a wide area, including Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Beckley, Elkins, Athens (OH), and Ashland (KY). Conditions are expected to slowly improve by late Saturday morning as temperatures rise above freezing.
