OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – After another hot afternoon around the region (Beckley set a record high of 91 degrees), severe storms rolled through the region this afternoon and evening. After the line passed through, causing some wind damage in some parts of the area, especially in Greenbrier County, the weather has calmed down tonight. Mild temperatures are expected overnight, with lows in the upper 60s in most areas. Patchy fog is once again possible, especially in places that saw rain earlier today.
The first day of the long holiday weekend will feature slightly cooler temperatures but a similar level of storm intensity compared to what we saw today. Once again, damaging winds and flooding rain are the main threats. The Storm Prediction Center has placed the southern half of the area in the Level 2 out of 5 for severe weather, with the rest of the area in the Level 1 out of 5.
The flooding threat is more widespread and could occur anywhere where the showers and storms pop up. The main flooding threat is what would typically be seen when heavy rain falls in a short amount of time: ponding water on the roads and standing water in low-lying spots.
As for timing, we’re expecting a round of showers and storms in the morning.
More showers and storms will roll through the area in the afternoon, but much of the energy will be used up, and the second round will be strong but less likely to be severe. Highs on Saturday will be in the mid-80s. Lows Saturday night will drop into the mid-60s.
Sunday, another round of showers and storms will roll through early in the morning. Some of these could again be strong. Some of the atmospheric models that we look at suggest that the strongest storms will be to our southwest, while others suggest strong storms will roll through the southern coalfields; we’ll be tracking them for you.
One final round of storms will push through on Sunday afternoon and evening, but these will be more garden-variety showers. Highs on Sunday will be in the upper 70s. Lows Sunday night will be around 60 degrees, finally close to normal.
The final day of the holiday weekend is looking very nice. While there could be some scattered showers around, most of Labor Day will be dry across most of the area. Highs will again be in the upper 70s.
