Upshur County remains under a winter storm watch as forecasters warn that a major storm system will bring heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain Saturday through Monday.
“A major winter storm is expected Saturday through Monday,” the National Weather Service said in its forecast discussion Thursday. “Heavy snowfall, sleet, and freezing rain will cause widespread and significant impacts to travel and infrastructure.”
The watch covers much of West Virginia, including Buckhannon and the surrounding areas.
According to the NWS, “a winter storm is expected to bring moderate to major impacts to the region this weekend. Periods of moderate to heavy snow are forecast this weekend with the possibility of a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain.”
The agency warned that “travel will likely be very difficult to impossible” and that “heavy snow and ice accumulations could bring down trees and power lines, leading to widespread power outages.”
For Buckhannon, the forecast calls for snow likely after 1 p.m. Saturday with less than an inch of accumulation during the day. Saturday night is when the storm intensifies — the NWS forecasts heavy snow at times with 4 to 8 inches possible overnight and a low around 16 degrees.
Snow continues Sunday with a high near 31 degrees, then tapers off Sunday night, mainly before 1 a.m. A 40 percent chance of snow remains on Monday before 1 p.m.
Forecasters say there is still uncertainty about the exact mix of precipitation. Some models predict mostly snow with totals of 8 to 12 inches in the lowlands and 12 to 15 inches in the mountains. Other models show a “warm air intrusion” on Sunday that could cause a changeover to sleet, freezing rain or even plain rain in some areas, with ice accumulations between a tenth of an inch and three-quarters of an inch possible.
“The area of largest uncertainty remains across central and southern West Virginia,” the NWS said.
The heaviest snowfall is expected Saturday night into Sunday before any potential changeover to a wintry mix. Snow is expected to return Sunday night into Monday with additional light to moderate accumulations.
Following the storm, an arctic air mass will bring frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chills. Lows Sunday night are projected in the teens and single digits, with wind chills in the single digits and below zero. Monday night could see temperatures plummet into the single digits or below zero.
“It is best to prepare now for these impacts,” the NWS said. “Plan around the storm, not during.”
The cold snap is expected to last through the end of January.
Before the storm arrives, Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low around 22. Friday will be mostly sunny with a high near 29 and wind gusts up to 21 mph. Friday night will be partly cloudy and bitterly cold, with a low around 3 degrees.
