BUCKHANNON – The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a wind advisory that remains in effect until 11 p.m. Thursday evening for portions of West Virginia, including Buckhannon.

According to the advisory, “South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.”

The strong winds could blow around unsecured objects and could potentially cause tree limbs to fall, resulting in a few power outages, the NWS warns.

“Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles,” the NWS advises. “Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects.”

In addition to the wind advisory, the forecast for Buckhannon includes showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 3 p.m., with some storms potentially producing heavy rain. The high temperature is expected to be near 74 degrees.

Tonight, the chance of showers and thunderstorms continues, with showers and possibly a thunderstorm expected after 8 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain, and the low temperature is expected to be around 46 degrees. The south wind will be breezy, with speeds of 14 to 20 mph and gusts as high as 36 mph, according to the NWS.

The unsettled weather is expected to continue into Friday, with showers and possibly a thunderstorm throughout the day. The high temperature will be much cooler — about 52 degrees — and the southwest wind will be breezy, with speeds of 17 to 20 mph and gusts as high as 31 mph.

As the weekend approaches, the weather is expected to improve, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 60 degrees on Saturday, followed by mostly sunny skies and a high near 74 degrees on Sunday. However, breezy conditions are still expected throughout the weekend.

Residents are advised to stay informed about the latest weather updates and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during the strong winds and potential thunderstorms.