Winter? Big winds bring big changes this week with threat of the first snowflakes
By Bradley Wells,
17 hours ago
Monday, on a road trip of the seasons, Mother Nature is bringing a big change to the region on the heals of westerly winds 15-20mph with gusts pushing 25-30mph at times. Colder air is rushing in as temps are stuck in the low to mid 50s this afternoon. Increasing clouds bring a gloomy feel to the day but most are dry. The exception being the westward facing ridgeline communities along the eastern mountains that get in on some drizzle and a light shower or two late afternoon into the early evening.
Once the sun sets, temps drop like a rock but at least the winds start to relax. West-northwest winds 5-10mph continue to bring in colder air allowing temps to sink back into the upper 30s for most, with most in the mountains dropping below freezing. Widespread frost is expected, even for the lowland communities as far south as McDowell & Tazewell counties. Those with sensitive plants will want to take measures to protect them. For further insults, passing snowflakes / ice is possible through the higher elevations of western Pocahontas/northern Greenbrier counties. No accumulation is expected.
Tuesday morning will be a cold and damp start with mostly cloudy skies through the entire day. Temps struggle without much sunshine into the mid and upper 40s as light passing showers roam across the region from northwest to southeast. A low hanging cloudy day provides drizzle and fog for the mountain top communities all day. Rainfall totals won’t be impressive but with the chill of the 40s, any rain will make the day feel colder. A chill that cuts through the layers.
Tuesday night temps fall after sunset back into the low 30s, below freezing for the first time for many in the lowlands. A soft freeze is expected so gardeners/farmers will want to take precautions to protect sensitive crops. For the higher terrain, (above 2,800ft) temps will tumble into the 20s. Rain of the day will start to freeze on area roads creating some slick travel. Snow flakes mixed with sleet will be likely across the westward facing mountain communities of Nicholas, Pocahontas, Greenbrier counties. No accumulation is expected save a few grassy spots in the high country of Pocahontas county.
Wednesday morning a few flakes fly freely in the mountains but we do start to clear the clouds as the day continues on. More and more sunshine in the afternoon won’t helps temps much as all of us struggle to the mid 40s. Even our typical warm spots south & west of Beckley will only manage the upper 40s. With clear skies in place for the overnight hours, temps once again tumble back below freezing with many in the upper 20s.
Thursday we start a warming trend but it’ll take a while to thaw out. Most of the morning we’re cold with the 30s & 40s. By the afternoon we’ll push the 50 degree mark. Mountains will see the mid to upper 40s again. At least there’s sunshine but that shade will feel rather cold. Thursday night temps tumble again back to freezing for many.
Friday we continue to inch back to average with a cold morning and comfortably cool afternoon in the low 60s. Sunshine with a few fair weather clouds mixed in make for an enjoyable day for those setting up for Bridge Day festivities. Lows will dip back into the low 30s.
Saturday, Bridge Day, will be a frigid morning with temps in the 30s but sunshine and light northwest winds 5-10mph keep temps near average for the afternoon. Highs for the day in the upper 60s will make for a beautiful day for base jumpers. Towards the late afternoon and early evening, around sunset, winds will pick up 10-15mph as air temps begin to cool faster than the surface. Temps will work back into the upper 30s for overnight lows.
Sunday is a rinse and repeat day with sunshine pushing temps back into the upper 60s. A few towns south and west of Beckley will try for the 70 degree mark in the late afternoon. After sunset with mostly clear skies, temps tumble back into the upper 30s and low 40s for lows.
In your extended forecast, the fall temperature swings continue with some really nice warm days with a few cold one sprinkled in. The growing season has its days number, though, as average temps continue to slide through Halloween. Average daytime highs sink back to the upper 50s by Halloween with the average overnight lows in the frost upper 30s. It won’t be long before the higher elevations see an end to the growing season all together as we prepare for the winter months ahead.
MONDAY Windy, chilly, increasing clouds. Mtn. drizzle. Highs in the 50s. TUESDAY Overcast, passing light showers, cold. Late mtn. flakes. Highs in the upper 40s. WEDNESDAY Sunshine returns slowly. Highs struggle into the upper mid 40s. THURSDAY Frost morning, chilly afternoon with sunshine. Highs in the low to mid 50s FRIDAY Warming up. Sunny. Highs in the low 60s. SATURDAY Beautiful Day! Sunshine and warm afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s. SUNDAY Cold start, nice afternoon with sunshine. Highs near 70. MONDAY Chilly morning, warm afternoon. Sunny. Highs near 70. TUESDAY Sunshine a plenty. Highs in the 70s. WEDNESDAY Rinse & repeat, sunshine and warm. Highs in the 70s. THURSDAY Sun & Clouds, warm. Highs in the 70s.
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