A calm, crisp dawn greets Charleston this morning, but the quiet won’t last. The Mountain State is waking up to the first signs of a major November pattern shift — a sharp swing from unseasonable warmth to a chilly, wintry setup by late weekend.
Today begins mild and deceptively pleasant. Sunshine breaks through thin clouds as temperatures climb into the low 70s — more like early October than early November. But this brief warmth will fuel a potent cold front racing east from the Ohio Valley, bringing showers and even a few thunderstorms later today and tonight. Some gusts may top 30 mph along I-64 and the Kanawha Valley, especially as the front passes.
Saturday offers a temporary reprieve, featuring dry skies and highs in the upper 60s before colder air sweeps in late. By Sunday, temperatures tumble quickly through the 40s as moisture returns, triggering a mix of rain and snow by nightfall. While accumulation looks light, grassy surfaces in higher elevations — from Beckley to Elkins — could see a coating by Monday morning.
Monday brings the region’s first solid taste of winter weather, with highs stuck in the upper 30s and snow showers possible through midday. Conditions then clear for a brighter Veterans Day, though the chill lingers, keeping highs near 40°F.
For now, residents should secure outdoor decorations, check travel plans for Sunday night, and prepare for the first cold snap of the season — West Virginia’s early hint that winter isn’t far behind.
