ELKINS, W.Va. – A sharp fall chill will grip the eastern West Virginia highlands overnight as sub-freezing air sweeps in, threatening late-season crops and gardens across Randolph and Pocahontas counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, a Freeze Warning remains in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday for the cities of Elkins, Snowshoe, Marlinton, and Harman. Overnight lows are expected to dip to around 30 degrees, marking the first widespread hard freeze of the season.
The agency warns that “frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.” Residents are urged to cover tender plants, disconnect garden hoses, and bring pets indoors before temperatures plunge.
The chill follows several crisp fall nights, but this air mass will be the coldest yet. Winds will lighten overnight, allowing the cold to settle into valleys—especially along the higher ridges of Randolph and Pocahontas counties. Drivers should also prepare for patchy frost on elevated roads such as U.S. 219 and WV-55 early Friday.
Warmer air is expected to return by the weekend, but another cold front could arrive early next week, bringing renewed frost potential for the mountain counties.
