CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The heat the rest of the United States has experienced in recent days is about to hit West Virginia.
A ridge of high pressure stretching across the state is starting to shift to the east and is bringing with it a flow of southwesterly air into the Mountain State. The system is expected to drive temperatures into the 90s for the rest of the work week, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston.
“The ridge is shifting to the east and that’s going to increase the heat and humidity over the next several days through the end of the week,” said NWS Meteorologist Gabe Wawrin,
Although humidity will be on the rise, Wawrin said the precipitation will be limited until week’s end.
“Heading into Thursday and Friday there will be isolated activity at times, but the greater threat for rainfall this weekend is when that cold front gradually sags to the south Saturday into Sunday.” he explained.
Temperatures for Wednesday and Thursday will hit 90 and Friday will be the hottest day of the year in West Virginia with the lowlands recording temperatures in the mid-90s.
The predicted heat-index or “feels like” reading will be in the triple digits and possibly cross 105 by Friday.
“That’s a factor of the air temperature and what the humidity makes the temperature feel like. It’s the same thing as a wind chill in the winter time,” Wawrin added.
When the temperatures and heat index reach those levels, health officials caution against any extended physical exertion outdoors.
“If you’re outside you really want to limit strenuous exercise,” said Bill Kearns, executive director of the Berkeley/Morgan County Health Department.
Even if you aren’t in a vulnerable group it’s good to limit activity, according to Kearns.
“If you need to get out there and get that grass mowed, do it early in the morning or late in the day when the sun is not so intense. You really want to limit your exposure outside,” he said.
Forecasters believed by the end of the weekend a cold front will arrive to bring much cooler temperatures for next week to West Virginia.
WEPM Radio’s Marsha Chwalik contributed to this story.