West Virginia Polar Vortex Forecast: Atlantic Coast Braces for Cold Blast

A major winter storm will impact West Virginia and a slew of other eastern and central states throughout Sunday and Monday.

Much of the U.S. has seen a major dip in temperatures combined with winter storm conditions over the weekend, thanks to an expansion of the polar vortex—the area of cold air that circulates around the Arctic. The National Weather Service (NWS) has said Storm Blair, as named by The Weather Channel, will produce “Arctic outbreaks” across swathes of the country in the coming days.

Why It Matters

AccuWeather has reported that around 31 million Americans could be impacted by the storm between January 4 and 6. Cold weather can create hazardous travel conditions, power outages and may interfere with various daily activities, including the closure of schools and public buildings. Vulnerable people, like young children and older adults, are at an increased health risk when temperatures drop dramatically.

What To Know

All of the Mountain State is currently under winter storm warnings issued by the NWS. Almost all areas are expected to see several inches of snow, with portions of northeast, northern, and southeast West Virginia forecast to be coated in up to 10 inches between now and Tuesday, January 7.

According to the NWS in Charleston, snow showers are expected to arrive from the south throughout Sunday morning, and in the afternoon freezing rain and snow will “blanket” the state and quickly hamper travel conditions.

On Monday morning, snow, freezing rain and sleet will all likely have an impact on morning commutes. As the day continues, more snow is expected, which will
continue to accumulate and impacts driving conditions.

Temperatures are expected to be above freezing across West Virginia throughout Sunday and Monday. Highs of 34 F are forecast in Charleston on Sunday, with temperatures remaining largely unchanged throughout Monday. Much of the rest of the state will see temperatures drop by as much as 15 F below freezing.

What People Are Saying

The NWS said in its winter storm warning: “Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages.

“Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes.”

AccuWeather lead long-range expert Paul Pastelok said: “This could end up being the coldest January since 2011 for the U.S. as a whole.”

What’s Next

Exactly how long the bitter temperatures and storm conditions will linger isn’t set in stone. The NWS has forecast that temperatures will rise in the western U.S. from January 10 onward. Temperatures are expected to be close to average for the time of year in the Great Plains, but lower than normal readings are anticipated for much of the Midwest, East and South up to January 16.