The National Weather Service office in Charleston said Thursday that the frigid temperatures Wednesday night set records around the state, including in Elkins and Parkersburg.
In Elkins, the temperature plunged to 13 degrees below zero.
“A record low temperature of 13 below zero was set at Elkins, W.Va. this morning,” the NWS said. “This breaks the old record of 11 below zero set in 2004.”
The NWS notes that climate records for Elkins date back to 1899.
The low of five degrees below zero set a new record in Parkersburg, beating the old record of minus two set in 1936.
Wind chills around the region were even colder.
At the Buckhannon airport, the wind chill fell to its lowest point of 16 degrees below zero, according to NWS data.
As we head into Groundhog Day, however, things are looking up.
“After a quick burst of snow Friday morning, temperatures will begin to rise into the upper 50s over the weekend,” the Charleston office notes.
Next week is even better: Temperatures are expected to top 60 degrees Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Let’s just hope French Creek Freddie doesn’t throw a wrench into those plans on Saturday.
UPDATE: The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Upshur County from midnight Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday.
Turns out that ‘quick burst’ referenced above could result in 2 to 4 inches of snow and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch.
As always, that means driving could be dangerous.
“Travel could be very difficult,” according to the advisory. “The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.”
