Cold air lingers across West Virginia this Monday morning, but the bite fades fast as clouds thicken and rain edges closer. Pavement stays dry early, yet conditions change quickly by late day, setting the stage for a wet and watchful start to the holiday travel week.
According to the National Weather Service, Charleston warms sharply today, climbing from the low 20s into the low 50s as winds turn light and southerly. Rain develops after sunset and continues into Tuesday, with moisture spreading across the Kanawha Valley and much of central West Virginia.
This early stretch of winter feels deceptive. Mild air dominates through Tuesday, but the setup raises concerns for slick travel once colder air returns. Wet roads on I-64, I-77, and local routes may refreeze during overnight lulls later this week, a classic flash-freeze pattern drivers know well in December.
Rain chances remain elevated through midweek. Tuesday stays cloudy with occasional showers and highs near the upper 50s. By Tuesday night and Wednesday, clouds hold firm and additional rain moves in, including on Christmas Eve. While snow is not expected in Charleston, nearby higher elevations could flirt with a brief mix if temperatures dip toward freezing late at night.
Christmas travel plans should stay flexible. Allow extra braking distance, especially early mornings and after dark. Keep devices charged, check wipers, and watch shaded roadways where moisture can turn slick fast.
This first official week of winter may feel more like fall, but patterns remain active. Small shifts in temperature could change impacts quickly. Traveling for the holiday? Let us know what conditions look like where you are.
Five-Day Outlook for Charleston, West Virginia
- Monday: Increasing clouds, high near 50
- Tuesday: Chance of rain, high near 56
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, high near 58
- Christmas Day: Rain likely, high near 64
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, chance of rain, high near 58
