WEST VIRGINIA — A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect for large portions of West Virginia through Monday morning, with dangerously low wind chills expected to impact travel, daily activities, and potentially school operations.
According to the National Weather Service, the advisory is in effect from 7 a.m. Sunday until 10 a.m. Monday. Wind chills as low as 13 to 15 degrees below zero are forecast across central, northern, southern, northeast, and southeast West Virginia.
Areas included in the advisory span McDowell, Wyoming, Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, Webster, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur, and Barbour counties, among others.
Cities and communities expected to experience the harshest conditions include Beckley, Welch, Mullens, Oak Hill, Fayetteville, Summersville, Elkins, Buckhannon, Philippi, Grafton, Richwood, Marlinton, Pineville, Oceana, War, and Cowen, along with surrounding rural areas.
The National Weather Service warns that exposure to these extreme wind chills could lead to hypothermia or frostbite in a short period of time if proper precautions are not taken. The coldest conditions are expected overnight Sunday into early Monday morning, coinciding with school bus routes and morning commutes.
Because of the timing and severity of the cold, school delays or closures are possible Monday across parts of West Virginia, particularly in rural and mountainous counties where students may wait outside for buses and where buses may have difficulty starting in extreme cold. School officials typically consider wind chill values, student safety at bus stops, and mechanical concerns when making closure decisions.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to closely monitor announcements from their local school districts Sunday evening and early Monday morning. Residents are also urged to dress in layers, limit time outdoors, and ensure pets and vulnerable individuals are protected from the cold.
Additional information and updates can be found through the National Weather Service Charleston office and on its social media platforms.
