Flood Watches issued as Tropical Storm Debby arrives tonight; Flash Flood Risk High

A FLOOD WATCH is in effect for Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Summer, Monroe, Mercer, Giles, & Bland counties through midnight Saturday. Tropical Storm Debby is expected to sideswipe our region favoring the eastern half of our viewing area. 2-3 inches of rain overall in the flood watch zone with localized 4-6 inches of rain possible the farthest east along the VA/WV state line towards the I-81 corridor. Localized flooding in low lying areas, valleys, ditches is likely covering roadways. #TurnAroundDon’tDrown and never drive through flooded roads.

Thursday morning we’re dry enough with the outer edge of TS Debby moving closer to the region. A few light showers mainly east are likely as clouds build for the entire region. This afternoon, folks along the WV/VA border will begin to see more showers than those towards the west through the coalfields. The split in forecast means our western counties will be drier and warmer with highs in the low to mid 80s. Our eastern counties will find themselves with scattered showers and highs in the upper 70s. Tropical humidity is expected giving an oppressively humid feel to the day. Winds begin to pick up easterly 10-15mph with gusts on ridgelines pushing 25-30mph.

This evening, heavy rain begins to push southeast towards the northwest. Blinding rains and minor street flooding can be expected for the evening commute. Localized power outages are likely with our grounds becoming saturated and winds gusting 25-30mph. As showers try to push westward, they break up coming over the mountain ridgelines. Folks in Wyoming county north towards Nicholas county won’t have such a high flood risk.

Overnight Thursday will be a soggy run with rounds of heavy rain hammering our eastern counties. Flood watches are in effect with flash flooding expected. Large rivers like the Greenbrier and New will rise suddenly but should remain in their banks, the smaller rivers that feed into them may back up causing low lying spots to become flooded. Runoff leading to pooling and flooded roads will be a most concern, especially in the dark of night, making driving dangerous for some mountain roads. Heavy rain is expected to last through Friday morning. Lows drop into the upper 60s/low 70s.

Friday morning heavy rain continues as Debby stalls before turning northeast. Heavy rain over the same areas will continue to worsen flood risks. By Friday morning, the number of power outages and flooded roads will continue to climb again favoring our eastern mountain counties. Towards the west, expect a clearing line to move across by morning providing a drier day overall.

Friday afternoon, Debby begins her push towards the northeast taking the heavy rains with her. While our western counties clear up, our eastern counties will continue to see scattered showers with some on the heavy side. Rivers and creeks will need to be monitored most of the day as swells of rain water flow downstream. It’ll be some time before river levels drop again.

Friday night, Debby moves out of the region as cooler and drier air filters in behind her. A clearing line will push west to east as we dry out and clear up the skies a bit. Winds are still elevated 10-15mph but will subside into the night. Flood waters will begin to recede allowing clean up efforts to begin. Lows drop back into the upper 50s and low 60s.

Saturday high pressure continues to build in as does drier air. Temps will be cooler only reaching the upper 70s for afternoon highs. Travelers should still expect minor delays with power lines, trees, and flood clean up underway in the eastern parts of the state. But regarding the rain, Saturday will be a beautiful day with lower humidity and less and less cloud cover. If you are heading to the State Fair of West Virginia, take the sunscreen with you and a sweater for late night fair goers with lows back into the 50s.

Sunday we enjoy high pressure with blue skies and sunshine again. Certainly going a long way to allowing rivers to move the bulk of rainwater away. River levels are expected to return closer to normal by midday. Highs push into the upper 70s with lower humidity for a comfy day overall.

Monday is another dry day with just a touch more humidity returning. Highs manage to push into the low 80s for the western side of the region while our mountains remain in the upper 70s. Overnight lows are still chilly with clear skies dropping back into the mid and upper 50s.

Tuesday a weak disturbance moves in with increasing clouds and a stray afternoon shower and isolated t-storm. Plenty of dry time that may be interrupted by a 20-30 minute downpour. Showers fade after sunset as lows return closer to average in the upper 50s/low 60s.

Wednesday, morning clouds give way to humid sunshine for the afternoon as temps push in to the low to mid 80s. A few pesky clouds from time to time to block the sun on the midway at the fair. Otherwise, we’re quiet with overnight lows in the low 60s.

Thursday we ramp up the humidity and temperatures as we warm into the mid 80s. A few pop-up showers are possible into the late afternoon typical of a summer day but widespread rain chances are not expected. Storms fade shortly after sunset for a humid night with lows in the 60s.

In your extended forecast, the last firework show at the State Fair of West Virginia is looking in ok shape. As temps rise back to August’s normal range in the 80s and humidity returns, a few pop-up showers can be expected but nothing to make the last few days of the State Fair a wash. It’ll certainly feel like August at the fair for the closing weekend with highs nearing 90.

THURSDAY
Dry start, Heavy, flooding rain PM. Highs in the 80s.
FRIDAY
Heavy rain AM, clearing west to east PM. Highs in the upper 70s.
SATURDAY
Sunshine & comfy. Highs in the mid to upper 70s.
SUNDAY
Beautiful run with sunshine. Highs in the upper 70s.
MONDAY
Sunshine & warm. Highs in the low 80s.
TUESDAY
Sun & Clouds, PM shower/rumble. Highs in the 80s.
WEDNESDAY
AM sprinkles, clearing PM, Warm. Highs in the low to mid 80s.
THURSDAY
Sun & Clouds, PM Iso. T-storm. Highs in the mid 80s.
FRIDAY
Hot & humid. Highs in the mid to upper 80s.
SATURDAY
Sun & Clouds, Iso. T-storm PM. Humid. Highs in the upper 80s.
SUNDAY
Sun & clouds, stay storm PM. Highs near 90.

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