The National Weather Service office in Charleston is advising West Virginia drivers to be on the lookout for icy spots on area roads through Wednesday as daytime snowmelt refreezes in the evenings and overnight.
“With temperatures well below freezing, watch for icy patches on roads, sidewalks, decks and the like this morning,” the NWS said in a special weather statement Monday morning. “Be prepared for potentially hazardous driving conditions through the morning commute. Be especially cautious when driving over bridges and overpasses.”
Temperatures are expected to peak in the upper-20s Monday and Tuesday; the nights will remain quite cold, with a low of 10 degrees Monday night and 17 on Tuesday.
“Watch for icy spots, especially this morning, but again tonight into Tuesday morning,” the NWS Charleston office posted on social media. “It will be brisk and cold, especially in the mountains, where wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph remain possible through tonight, and a wind chill advisory is in effect for wind chills as low as -15 degrees tonight into Tuesday morning. Finally, while we enjoy a more tranquil weather pattern later this week, the atmosphere may be quietly setting up for a winter storm next weekend. Stay tuned as there is much uncertainty at this juncture.”
Upshur County schools were under a 2-hour delay on Monday due to the cold temperatures.
“Icy spots on roads may linger into Wednesday, especially during the nighttime and morning hours,” the NWS said in a hazardous weather outlook issued Monday.
Flooding was another concern due to the rain and snowmelt, but Buckhannon River is expected to remain below flood stage, according to the Upshur County Dept. of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
“Per conversation with the National Weather Service this morning, the Buckhannon River in Buckhannon should crest between 9 and 10 a.m. today between 21.25 and 22.5 feet,” the organization posted Monday morning. “As a reminder, flood stage for that location is 23 feet. Both the Middle Fork in Ellamore and the Buckhannon River in Alton crested overnight. Please exercise caution in low lying areas and on all roads as you make your commutes this morning. Low temps have likely caused ice on roadways.”
