OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – Friday was a much more pleasant day than Thursday, and highs today will wind up in the middle to upper 60s, with some lower 70s in the usual warmer spots. We also saw some sunshine after a cloud-filled day on Thursday, making it feel much nicer. Lows tonight will also be warmer, generally in the upper 40s and lower 50s.
As the day goes on, a warm, southerly flow will allow temperatures to rise to near 80 degrees in most areas. It’s a similar warmup from yesterday to today, another 15 or so degree jump in high temperatures.
The other big story in the weather tomorrow will be a chance for severe storms over the state. The most likely areas that will see severe weather will be to our west and northwest over parts of Ohio and Kentucky, but one or two of the stronger storms could make their way into the state and possibly into our area during the evening hours.
If they do, the main threats will be strong winds and large hail. The chance of severe weather for us is small, but it’s not zero. With that in mind, the Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of our area in the Marginal (Level 1 out of 5) risk for severe storms. Any storms (severe or otherwise) will end during the early morning hours of Sunday.
The second half of the weekend will be drier and warmer than the first half. High pressure will take command of our weather and will pump in warm air from the south and southwest. Highs will be in the mid-80s in most areas, and we’ll feel a bit of the extra humidity from a southerly flow at this time of year. The downside to this dry and warm pattern is that it will not do us any favors when it comes to the drought, as severe drought persists through the entire area, with a small sliver of Tazewell County now in “Extreme” drought.
The pattern does become more active by the middle of next week, but before that happens, the warmup that we’ll see this weekend will continue into next week with possible record highs on Monday and Tuesday in Beckley.
Click below for a video version of the forecast…
