CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A storm system which delivered devastating tornadoes Sunday in Arkansas and other parts of the south and Midwest will make a slow roll into West Virginia over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Charleston said Monday state residents should look for thunderstorms with the chance of producing heavy rain, damaging winds, and possibly hail.
“Once those thunderstorms move into the area we could have some flash flooding potential in the overnight hours,” said Meteorologist Joe Merchant. “Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning we’re going to wake up and have widespread rain showers and thunderstorms across the state.”
Merchant said the risk of flash flooding is possible, but said the ground is quite dry and will be able to rapidly soak up much of the moisture if it arrives slowly. Merchant said the National Storm System in Oklahoma has put West Virginia just east of the zone for possible tornadoes, but the risk of a tornado in West Virginia is about two percent. However, Merchant said wind could be a problem with this system.
“Our biggest risk is going to be severe winds coming from a thunderstorm,” he said. “If you finding yourself underneath a thunderstorm, you’re going to want to get anything you have outside indoors.”
The last of the cold fronts fueling the storms will move out Wednesday afternoon.