Charleston, W.Va. – West Virginia residents woke up to record-setting cold this morning, with temperatures in Huntington and Parkersburg plunging to levels rarely seen in late August.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, Huntington dropped to 48 degrees early Thursday, breaking its previous record of 49 set in 1986. In Parkersburg, the mercury dipped to 45 degrees, tying a record that has stood since 1986. Climate records for Huntington date back to 1897, while Parkersburg’s extend to 1926.
The unusual chill had many residents reaching for jackets, a stark contrast to the typically warm mornings of late summer. Cooler-than-normal air across the Ohio Valley is expected to linger through the weekend, though no additional record-setting lows are currently anticipated.
Travel and outdoor activities are not expected to be impacted, but forecasters suggest preparing for brisk mornings and cooler evenings, especially in rural areas where temperatures may run a few degrees lower than in urban centers.
Temperatures are forecast to rebound slightly heading into early next week, with more seasonable warmth returning by Tuesday.
