The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Upshur County and much of West Virginia, warning that a significant winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow from Saturday through Monday.
Buckhannon and surrounding areas could see between 6 and 12 inches of snow, with locally higher amounts possible, according to the watch issued Wednesday afternoon.
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” the weather service warned. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.”
In their forecast discussion, meteorologists described the approaching system as “significant” while noting that exact snowfall amounts remain uncertain.
“While historic or catastrophic snowfall is not quite on the table with this system, there will still be very heavy amounts of snow with major impacts expected to travel,” the National Weather Service wrote.
The agency emphasized in its key messages that residents should expect “heavy, plowable, and impactful snow.”
Weather models show a range of possible outcomes. The latest blend of models puts most of the area in the 7 to 10 inch range, with forecasters expressing 80 to 90 percent confidence in reaching those amounts. Higher totals of 10 to 15 inches are possible, particularly in mountainous areas.
“Regardless of the metrics, it is best to prepare for a significant and major winter storm that will impact the area from Saturday into Monday,” the weather service stated. “Travel will be very difficult this weekend, and power outages are expected with this large-scale storm.”
The snow is expected to begin Saturday afternoon, becoming heavy at times Saturday night and continuing through Sunday. The detailed forecast calls for a 90 percent chance of precipitation Saturday night and Sunday, with the heaviest snow possible during those periods.
Bitter cold will accompany the storm. Highs Saturday will only reach the upper teens, and temperatures will plunge into the single digits Sunday night and Monday night.
“Monday night into Tuesday will be the coldest night with temperatures in the single and negative digits across the area,” the forecast discussion noted.
The cold snap is expected to persist through the end of January, with highs remaining in the 20s and overnight lows in the teens and single digits.
