Arctic Cold Wednesday as we look forward to another Winter Storm Thursday
EXTREME COLD WARNING: For Northwestern Pocahontas County until 1PM Wednesday. Extreme Cold Warnings are issued when air temperatures or wind chills are expected to be negative 10 to 15 degrees (-10 to -15 degrees) or below. This is dangerously cold air where frostbite can happen in minutes and hypothermia in under an hour. Bundle up if heading outside and cover all exposed skin. Watch for changing moods and behavior if spending prolonged time outdoors. Watch for confusion in yourself and others. Move to a warm place immediately if issues arise.
Wednesday will be a frigid day worthy of taking special care for. Early morning wind chills well below zero and in most mountain counties, well below negative 10. Wind chill values are what our bodies think the temperature is and what it will react too. In these cold conditions, frostbite can happen in 15 minutes or less of exposure. Ears, nose, fingers, and toes. Make sure they are all protected from the painfully cold air.
Through the day, as winds relax with high pressure building in, we’ll see air temperatures warm up into the upper teens and low 20s but even with lighter winds, wind chills are still stuck in the single digits. At least we’ll see more blue in the sky and plenty of sunshine this afternoon. It’ll look nice at least. Our silver lining in the forecast.
Tonight, we’re calm and clear early on which allows temps to fall back quickly, not that they have that far to go anyway. Overnight lows in the single digits as winds shift more southwesterly 5-10mph. This will keep wind chill values at or just below zero. By the pre-dawn hours of our Thursday, clouds roll in ahead of our next winter storm. COLD WEATHER ADVISORY: Dangerous cold conditions are possible in Northwestern Pocahontas County from 6pm tonight through 4am Thursday morning. Avoid the outside if you can or bundle up and cover all exposed skin if heading outside.
WINTER STORM WATCHES: Go into effect early Thursday morning through 7AM Friday, January 17th for Northwestern Pocahontas County, Nicholas County, and Western Greenbrier County. Winter Storm Watches are issued when conditions look favorable for winter storm conditions to occur. Up to 4-6 inches of fresh snow, poor travel conditions, stronger winds, and poor visibility are possible. As the forecast becomes more likely to include these situations, warnings may be issued.
Thursday morning will be another frigid one with temps in the single digits and colder still wind chills. Clouds will be increasing as scattered snow showers return mid-morning on, especially for the westward facing ridgelines through Nicholas, Greenbrier, and Pocahontas counties. Early afternoon, snow bands will extend farther south with more falling west of the ridgeline tops including Sandstone & Flat Top.
For most of us, highs push into the low 30s with southwest winds. While this isn’t going to feel warm with the wind chills cutting into temps, it will help keep roads too warm during the middle of the day to see snow accumulations for those off the mountain tops. Driving conditions deteriorate quickly for all the closer to sunset we get (5pm).
Thursday evening, heavy bands of snow squalls are expected for all. These hit and miss downbursts of snow can dump a quick half to one inch of snow as they move across the region. Timing of these is unfortunate with the setting sun as road temperatures get cold enough to support accumulations for all. The evening commute will be icy for many so plan your day accordingly. Into the night, snow showers continue for the northeastern mountains while more scattered for the lowlands into Friday morning.
Snowfall totals are looking to push 4-6 inches for Nicholas, Greenbrier, and Pocahontas County with some locally higher amounts possible on the mountain tops themselves. A general 2-4 inches as you come down in elevation for Fayette & eastern Nicholas. 1-2 inches along the ridgelines and points west along I-77. Some locally higher amounts are possible due to elevation.
Friday morning will be a cold, windy, and snowy on for the mountain counties towards the northeast of Beckley. Scattered snow flakes fly for the lowlands with little new accumulations expected. As upper level winds push more westerly through the day, snow showers tapper off for many with a little sunshine to help boost temps into the 40s. Both old and new snows will melt through the day so watch for flooded storm drains and standing water on your travels. Overnight lows will dip back into the low 30s which will freeze the melting snows of the day leading to black ice across the region. Untreated roads will certainly be icy for the overnight hours into Saturday morning.
Saturday, another system from the south looks to bring warmer air to help push us back into the 40s, but it’ll also bring rain showers across the region. Wintry mix and freezing rain for the mountains will be problematic for travelers, while the lowlands not only deal with rain but melting snows. Minor street flooding is expected through the day. We’ll be dealing with windy conditions all day so 40 on the thermometer will look nice, but dress for wind chills in the upper 20s and low 30s most of the day with a cold rain.
Saturday night, as the sun sets and temps fall, rain changes to snow. For many it’ll take a while to see the snow begin to stick again thanks to the warm day and melting snows. However, the mountain tops, bridges and overpasses will be the first to see freezing conditions for light accumulations and black ice to develop. Snow showers continue into Sunday morning.
Sunday will be a windy and snowy day with many towns below freezing. During the middle of the afternoon, some western counties like McDowell/Wyoming will see more a icy freezing rain develop before changing back to snow in the early evening. Highs just nudge freezing mark with overnight lows falling fast into the teens. Widespread black ice is expected with light snow accumulations for all into Monday morning.
Monday will be breezy and frigid with highs only pushing into the upper teens and low 20s. Wind chills will be in the single digits on either side of the zero mark. Morning snow showers fade to more flurries for the afternoon with a chance at some sunshine peeking through in the afternoon.
Tuesday we’re quiet but frigid as arctic air settles in. High only manage the mid to upper teens all day so wind chills will be stuck near zero. Not a great day to be stuck outside for prolong periods. Hypothermia and frostbite are a real threat. Monitor your health closely for changes. Shivering during the cold is normal, when the shivering stops, you’re in real trouble. Confusion is also a tell-tail sign hypothermia is creeping in. It happens slowly so don’t discount feelings of fatigue, loss of cognitive control or confusion, and certainly don’t push yourself in these extreme cold temperatures. Heart attacks risks often rise during extreme cold as well making this day a great one to take it easy and enjoy the heaters.
In your extended forecast, we’re watching for the potential of another large snow storm. Key word on potential as long range forecasts are really great at giving us a snap shot at future events, not the full story. For now, we look to have a storm on the right path for us to see impactful snowfall totals and we’re cold enough that any moisture will be snow. Timing is always key as is location of the center of the storm so details need to be ironed out. But Thursday into Sunday, January 22nd – 26th look to be rather active winter weather wise. We’ll keep you posted!
WEDNESDAY
Bitter cold again, some sun after AM clouds. Highs in the upper teens/low 20s.
THURSDAY
Increasing clouds, snow returns late morning. Highs near freezing.
FRIDAY
AM flurries with PM clearing. Highs in the 40s
SATURDAY
Rainy, soggy day, warmer. Highs in the low 40s.
SUNDAY
Rain to ice to snow as temps drop. Highs in the mid 30s.
MONDAY
Sct. snow showers, some accumulations. Highs in the low 20s.
TUESDAY
Colder still, breezy. Highs in the upper teens/low 20s.
WEDNESDAY
Frigid Cold, PM sun. Highs in the low 20s
THURSDAY
Increasing clouds, wintry mix late. Highs in the 20s.
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