Charleston, WV – West Virginia will enjoy a short stretch of mild, pleasant weather before a late-week shift brings thicker clouds, increasing moisture, and a soaking round of rain Friday night into early Saturday. Forecasters say the state is entering a pattern of quick temperature swings, patchy fog, and fast-moving fronts that will shape travel conditions through the weekend.
Warming Pattern Builds Into Friday
A steady warming trend is underway across central and western West Virginia, with the National Weather Service in Charleston noting that temperatures will climb into the low 60s Friday afternoon. Sunshine will be filtered at times through increasing high clouds, but overall conditions will stay mild and calm during the day.
Winds are expected to remain light as the state sits ahead of an approaching weak cold front moving in from the Midwest. Despite the pleasant conditions, forecasters say the atmosphere will gradually moisten, setting the stage for a wetter transition after sunset.
Residents heading out for school pick-ups, evening commutes, or local events Friday should be prepared for clouds to thicken quickly by late afternoon.
Rain Arrives Friday Night With Some Heavier Pockets
Rain is forecast to develop after dark Friday, beginning in western counties and gradually spreading eastward through the overnight hours. Meteorologists caution that steadier showers are likely toward midnight, with a few brief downpours possible as the system crosses the region.
Drivers along I-64, I-77, and U.S. Route 60 may encounter slick roadways, reduced visibility, and pockets of patchy fog as warm air flows over cooler surfaces. Forecasters recommend slowing down, using low beams, and allowing extra travel time late Friday into early Saturday.
Rain will continue into Saturday morning before gradually becoming more scattered.
Mild Saturday Followed by a Cooler Sunday Pattern
Saturday will be the warmest day of the extended forecast, with highs expected to reach the upper 60s, unusually mild for mid-November. Periods of showers will continue, but the day will not be a washout. Breezy conditions may develop by afternoon as the transitioning air mass begins to shift.
By Sunday, a push of cooler air will move in behind the front, bringing temperatures back down into the low 50s with lingering light showers. Skies should gradually clear late in the day, giving West Virginians a break before the next system arrives.
No snow is expected this weekend, but the arrival of colder air signals that winter-like conditions may not be far away, especially as the region approaches Thanksgiving week.
Travel Impacts and Safety Considerations
The changing pattern could affect early holiday planners, weekend shoppers, and anyone traveling through the Kanawha Valley, where low-lying areas may experience scattered ponding during heavier rain bands.
Residents are urged to keep rain gear close, clear fallen leaves from driveways and storm drains, and remain cautious in areas prone to standing water. Patchy fog may also develop late Friday and early Saturday, particularly along river valleys and rural stretches of highway.
Meteorologists recommend checking updated forecasts through the weekend as visibility, road conditions, and temperatures fluctuate.
Background: Early Signals of Late-November Chill
While this system brings mild air initially, forecasters emphasize that the colder push behind it is part of a broader late-fall transition. Weather models suggest the potential for brisk conditions during the final week of November, raising the chance of the season’s first wintry tease across parts of the state.
Although too early to predict snow with confidence, nighttime temperatures trending downward indicate that colder systems could begin to mix rain with snow in higher elevations before Thanksgiving.
Ongoing Outlook and Next Weather Systems
After a short drying period Monday with partly sunny skies and highs in the mid-50s, another round of showers is expected to develop Tuesday afternoon as moisture returns from the southwest. Increasing clouds and strengthening winds may accompany the next system, continuing the active pattern.
Forecasters believe West Virginia will experience several quick-moving disturbances over the next 7 to 10 days, making weather changes rapid and sometimes unpredictable.
Conclusion
West Virginians can enjoy a brief warm-up before Friday night’s rain ushers in a cooler, unsettled weekend pattern. With fog, wet roads, and shifting temperatures expected, travelers and residents should remain mindful of changing conditions, especially as the state heads into a more winter-like stretch toward the end of November.
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