MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — North central West Virginia is in the path of the first winter weather event for the 2024-25 season that could result in a few inches of snow in the Morgantown area and a lot more in the mountainous areas.
On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” MetroNews Accuweather Meteorologist Jeff Nordean said a strong cold front fortified with moist air is the catalyst of this weather event. Until early evening, Nordean expects the storm to deliver winds of about 10 miles per hour out of the west and a 90 percent chance of mixed precipitation through early evening.
“By the time we get to noon or so, we may already start to see a very light mix of rain and snow,” Nordean said. “It’s only calling for a trace amount in any hour you choose from noon until 3 p.m.”
By Thursday evening, the temperatures drop to about 30 degrees, the winds pick up slightly, and the chance of precipitation hovers around 80 percent.
“Starting at about 7 to 8 p.m., we’re at the likelihood of all snow,” Nordean said. “We’re looking at about .2 to .4 of an inch per hour.”
Overnight snow continues, and Nordean said that the upper elevations could start to see the higher accumulation amounts. Still, in the Morgantown area, the snow totals are expected to be more than a dusting.
“We could get up to 3 to 6 inches total,” Nordean said. “I’m trending more closely to Morgantown to get 3 to 4 inches, but that extra 2-inch window allows for some of that heavier snowfall.”
In the morning, Nordean said the roads will likely be snow-covered, slick, and hazardous. Allow extra time for travel and even delay your trip into daylight hours or later if possible.
“The morning commute could be a little bit slower and even could be a little slick, so give yourself that extra window of time to get to where you need to go safely.”
By Saturday, precipitation turns to all rain with a high temperature forecast to be in the mid 40s.