West Virginia – Wet pavement glistened under streetlights this morning as steady rain settled into the Kanawha Valley, setting the tone for a tricky holiday travel week. Mild air dominates for now, but timing matters. As Christmas passes, colder air could turn leftover moisture into a black ice problem just as post-holiday travel ramps up Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, rain remains likely at times through Christmas Day, with temperatures climbing into the lower 60s by Wednesday and Christmas afternoon. That warmth keeps snow out of the picture locally, but it also loads roads, parking lots, and bridges with moisture.
Charleston, South Charleston, and communities along I-64 and I-77 can expect repeated rounds of rain, especially Wednesday night into Christmas Day. Visibility may drop during heavier showers, and ponding is possible in low spots. Drivers should allow extra braking distance and plan for slower commutes during peak travel windows.
To be fair, the warmth feels more like early fall than winter. Highs stay in the 50s and 60s through Friday, well above normal for late December. Still, that warmth is part of the concern. Once colder air arrives later in the weekend, any standing water could freeze quickly after sunset.
Meteorologists are now watching for a late-week temperature dip that could bring overnight lows close to freezing. That warm-to-cold transition raises the risk for flash freezing on untreated roads, especially early Friday morning and again overnight.
Plan ahead if traveling after Christmas. Keep an ice scraper handy, slow down on bridges, and check conditions before heading out. Winter may be quiet for now, but it is waiting its turn. Traveling Friday? Tell us what road conditions look like where you are.
Five Day Outlook for Charleston, West Virginia
- Tuesday: Rain likely, high near 56°F
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, high near 55°F
- Christmas Day: Rain likely, warm with highs near 62°F
- Thursday: Rain likely, high near 49°F
- Friday: Rain likely, cooler with highs near 55°F
