Weather
West Virginia Freeze Watch: Lows Near 30 Sunday Morning Oct 18
Charleston, WV – A widespread freeze threat is developing across West Virginia, southeastern Ohio and southwestern Virginia this weekend, with temperatures potentially falling to 30 degrees early Sund
By Jenna Hartley · 2026-10-16T17:10:16.486Z
Charleston, WV – A widespread freeze threat is developing across West Virginia, southeastern Ohio and southwestern Virginia this weekend, with temperatures potentially falling to 30 degrees early Sunday morning. Residents across dozens of counties are being urged to prepare for conditions that could damage sensitive plants, crops and exposed outdoor plumbing.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, WV, a Freeze Watch has been issued from late Saturday night, October 17, through Sunday morning, October 18, as colder air moves into the region. The watch was issued Friday afternoon and includes communities across central, northern, northeastern, southeastern and southern West Virginia.
In West Virginia, affected locations include Charleston area communities, Parkersburg, Clarksburg, Bridgeport, Buckhannon, Elkins, Beckley, Fayetteville, Summersville, Weston and Marlinton. The watch also extends into portions of southeastern Ohio, including Athens, Marietta, Pomeroy and New Lexington, and southwestern Virginia, including Grundy and Clintwood.
Temperatures could reach 30 degrees in some locations, creating conditions favorable for frost and freezing temperatures overnight.
The greatest concern is for residents with gardens, agricultural crops and temperature sensitive vegetation. Unprotected outdoor plumbing could also sustain damage if temperatures remain below freezing long enough.
Homeowners should consider bringing potted plants indoors, covering vulnerable vegetation and protecting exposed outdoor pipes before temperatures begin dropping Saturday night.
The anticipated freeze could affect multiple communities across the Appalachian region, although actual temperatures will vary by location and elevation.
A Freeze Watch means conditions are favorable for freezing temperatures but are not yet certain. The National Weather Service may upgrade the watch to a Freeze Warning if confidence increases.
Residents should monitor updated forecasts through Saturday, particularly those in rural communities and colder valleys where freezing conditions may develop.
For official updates, visit weather.gov/rlx .