Winter weather advisory issued for Upshur County as snow moves in

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Upshur County as a fast-developing storm system could bring accumulating snow to the region.

The advisory is in effect from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 1 p.m. Thursday.

“Snow is expected,” according to the NWS advisory. ” Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches. Locally higher amounts of up to 5 are possible. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.”

The advisory covers Upshur, Randolph, Webster, Barbour and Nicholas counties, including Buckhannon, Elkins, Philippi, Belington, Webster Springs and Richwood.

Rain will transition to snow Wednesday evening, with the NWS forecasting rain and snow showers “becoming all snow after 10 p.m.” Temperatures will drop to around 15 degrees overnight with west winds of 8 to 14 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible overnight.

Thursday will see a 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 3 p.m., with a high near 21 degrees. Wind chill values could drop as low as zero.

“Plan on slippery road conditions,” the NWS advises. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.”

Looking ahead, the NWS forecasts more snow Friday night into Saturday, with a 90 percent chance of snow over the weekend. As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, the precipitation is expected to move out, leaving frigid temperatures, with lows in the single digits and highs in the teens or low 20s on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

The NWS recommends drivers slow down and use caution while traveling.