HAPPENING NOW: Helene’s impact reaches West Virginia, Ohio & Kentucky

(WOWK) — Hurricane Helene made landfall late Thursday in Florida but the impacts will be felt over many states including the WOWK-TV viewing area.

Rain and wind intensities are expected to pick up especially around mid day for the WOWK-TV area.

By the time area high school football teams prepare to play, the wind speeds will be more in line with 20 mph gusts.

Rainfall will be heaviest on the western side of the viewing area Friday and a few showers will linger on the weekend as the left over low pressure center weakens, and widens across the broader region.

Fans going to the Marshall football game Saturday should take the poncho just in case with scattered showers in the area. Lightning is not expected to be much of an issue, if any, but there showers are likely from time to time. Winds are not expected to be very strong but will be variable in direction through the game.

A storm briefing from the National Weather Service Charleston forecast office includes the following information:

Highlights/Impacts:

• Short Term:
• The remnants of Helene moving up from the Gulf of Mexico will impact our area today.
• Widespread showers and a few thunderstorms expected across the area today.
• Any stronger storm over southeastern WV could produce a tornado, and locally heavy downpours.
• One to two inches of rain is forecast along and east of the mountains, as well as in southwest WV and the Huntington Tri-State area.
• Localized flooding concerns may arise as periodic heavier bands of rain impact already saturated soils.
• Outlook:
• Much of the area can expect a reprieve on Saturday, but some showers still expected for the Huntington Tri-State area.
• More widespread rain chances move back into the area for Sunday and Monday as the remnants of Helene shift back east.
• Mainly mountain showers linger on Tuesday, then clearing Wednesday and Thursday behind a cold front.

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