OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It will be a nice start to the weekend around the area, with temperatures in the 60s as we start the day. With a strong southwesterly flow ahead of a cold front, we’ll see readings rise quickly, and by the end of the day, we’ll top out in the lower to middle 80s.
The front itself arrives during the evening, and ahead of it, we’ll see some strong to severe showers and storms. This is the same system that is producing some extreme weather to our west and northwest tonight. Numerous severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings have been issued in parts of the Midwest and western Great Lakes. With the persistent rain of the last few days, Flood and Flash Flood Warnings have also been issued in the same areas.
The good news is that by the time it gets here, it will be much weaker.
It will still, however, produce some rough weather in our part of the country. The strongest storms will be over parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania, but a few strong to severe storms may find their way into parts of West Virginia, and some of these could sag far enough south to affect us.
If any of the storms do become severe, damaging winds and large hail will be the main threats. An isolated tornado can’t be completely ruled out, but the best chances for that are well to our north and northwest. Any flooding issues will be due to heavy amounts of rain in short amounts of time – the usual ponding of water on the roads and standing water in low-lying spots.
Late tomorrow night, the cold air will begin to invade the region as the cold front swings through. Temperatures will fall quickly once this happens, and we’ll bottom out Sunday morning in the lower 40s. If there is any precipitation left over, we may see some snow or a mix of rain and snow, but that should be confined to the highest elevation areas.
As the front pushes out of the state, skies will clear, but temperatures will not rebound that much despite the sunshine. Highs on Sunday will only wind up in the mid-50s, and with the influx of cold air, an already cool start to the evening, and some moisture hanging around from the rain, widespread frost will form. Be sure to take care of any tender vegetation on Sunday night before heading to bed.
Click below for a video version of the forecast…
