By Greg Jordan
The Register-Herald
BECKLEY — A blizzard in parts of Greenbrier County and frigid weekend temperatures for the entire region were among the forecasts coming Tuesday from the National Weather Service’s offices in West Virginia.
A blizzard warning was issued around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday for western Greenbrier County. Between 4 to 8 inches of snow could fall and winds could gust as high as 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Va.
The blizzard warning went into effect at 10 a.m. today and continues until 10 a.m. Thursday. Hazardous driving conditions are expected tonight and Thursday morning, plus gusting winds could bring down tree branches and cause drifting snow, according to forecasters. Travel in Greenbrier County should be for emergencies only.
For other parts of the region, the National Weather Service in Charleston issued special weather statements Tuesday for most of Raleigh County and Fayette County as well as McDowell and Wyoming Counties. Commuters were warned about possible black ice during the early morning hours.
Charleston’s forecasts called for a chance of rain and snow before 10 a.m. today, but little to no accumulation was expected. Today’s high temperature will be around 44 degrees, but there is a 90% chance of snow tonight with a low of 24 degrees. One to 2 inches of snow is possible.
Thursday will have a 40% chance for snow with a high of 31 degrees and 50% that night with a low of only 21 degrees. Friday’s forecasts calls for a 50% chance of rain and snow with a high of 37 degrees with a 40% chance of rain and snow that evening with a low temperature of 25.
Weekend temperatures over Raleigh, Fayette and McDowell counties are expected to be around 38 degrees Saturday, but with a 40% chance for snow and a low around 18 degrees. Sunday’s forecast for that area is partly sunny with a high close to 27 degrees, but with a nighttime plunge to around 9 degrees.
“It’s a intrusion of arctic air coming in from the north this weekend, said meteorologist Joe Curtis with the weather service’s Charleston office. “It’s going to be here at least Sunday night into Monday. Tuesday is looking a bit warmer and we should break freezing in most places except for the high ridges.”
Today Mercer County has around a 70% chance of rain with a high near 46 degrees, but an 80% chance for snow tonight with a low temperature around 26 degrees, according to forecasters in Blacksburg, Va. Less than a half-inch of snow is expected.
Thursday’s forecast from Blacksburg, Va. calls for a 20% chance of snow and a high around 33 degrees, then a 30% chance for snow that night with a low around 23 degrees. Friday will have 40% chance for rain and snow with a high around 40 degrees and a 30% chance of rain that night with a low around 24.
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