CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for parts of southeastern West Virginia as the state braces for a second round of snow this month.
The warning was posted Saturday for Greenbrier, Summers, Mercer, Monroe counties. Those ares are expected to get hit first with 5 to 8 inches of snow Sunday morning into Monday morning.
Our entire region is now in a Winter Storm Warning for Sunday and Sunday night. We have increased the ice amounts as the snow in the morning will transition to a mix of sleet and freezing rain by afternoon. Our snow and ice forecasts can be found here:https://t.co/C7Eb5boJxy pic.twitter.com/NIFnDsLvDn
— NWS Blacksburg (@NWSBlacksburg) January 15, 2022
Forecasters said the storm system will then move move up through West Virginia. Warm air is expected to turn the snow storm into a wintry mix.
Heavy snow, mixed with sleet, ice and gusty winds may cause power outages and downed trees.
The most accumulation could be in the eastern mountains and Eastern Panhandle with 8-10 inches of snow. Winds gusts could reach as high as 35 mph as times.
The Kanawha Valley could see 4-8 inches of snow. Areas closer to the Ohio River and up into the Parkersburg area are looking for snow totals between 3 to 6 inches.
Our next winter storm will spread a wintry mix of precipitation across the area then changing over to all snow. This will be a heavy, wet snow, capable of difficult travel, tree damage, and power outages. Continue to monitor here for updates this weekend! #WVwx #OHwx #KYwx #VAwx pic.twitter.com/GZEDr5UAoY
— NWS Charleston, WV (@NWSCharlestonWV) January 15, 2022
As of Saturday morning, the rest of the state remained under a Winter Storm Warning, but that could change throughout the day as the storm moves in.
Gov. Jim Justice has issued a State of Preparedness for all 55 counties to get resources in place.
Officials are warning drivers to stay off the roads, if possible, as travel may be difficult.