CHARLESTON, WV – The quiet pre-dawn calm over the Kanawha Valley is deceptive — a thin veil of light snow is spreading eastward, and with temperatures near freezing, even a dusting could slick up bridges and backroads before midmorning.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, light snow showers will drift across central and western West Virginia through mid-morning, potentially dusting grassy areas and untreated pavement with less than an inch of accumulation. While totals stay minimal, cold surfaces will allow icy patches to form quickly, particularly on I-64, I-77, and Route 119 during the morning commute.
Meteorologists note that minor accumulation doesn’t mean minor impact — visibility may briefly dip as flakes mix with fog in higher valleys. Drivers are urged to allow extra time and avoid sudden braking, especially on shaded or elevated roadways. By midday, snow should taper off as clouds linger and highs approach the upper 30s, keeping the day chilly but mostly calm.
Another chance of light snow returns early Friday, followed by steadier rain-snow mix late in the day as moisture moves back into the state. The weekend will trend milder, with highs in the low 40s Saturday and Sunday, but evening refreezes remain possible where roads stay damp.
Farther ahead, long-range models continue to signal colder air reloading by mid-December (Dec. 11–17) — potentially setting the stage for a stronger winter system across the Appalachians and Ohio Valley.
Five-Day Outlook (Charleston, WV)
- Friday: Rain/snow mix early, high 41°F.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, high 44°F.
- Sunday: Chance of rain/snow, high 43°F.
- Monday: Partly sunny, high 36°F.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high 43°F.
