CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There could be some nasty weather Tuesday in the Mountain State.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for parts of Pocahontas, Randolph, Grant, Mineral, Pendleton, Preston and Tucker counties from 4 a.m. to noon Tuesday.
National Weather Service Metrologies Ray Young said cold air is going to get trapped on the eastern side of the mountains and joined with approaching rain it could produce a quarter inch of ice in the highest elevations. He said other areas could have freezing rain.
“People should be very cautious,” Young said.
It will take until some time Tuesday afternoon to get above freezing in those areas. Young said anyone with holiday travel plans across Interstate 68 in Garrett County, Maryland may want to consider another option.
The weather service has also issued a wind advisory for most of Tuesday stretching from Welch, through Beckley, northeast to Elkins and into the eastern mountains.
Young said it will be a breezy day for most of the state.
“The lowlands you are looking to 30 to 40 mph but once you get to the higher elevations of the mountains, those wind gusts are going to be a lot higher and we could see 40 to 50 mph winds in the higher elevations,” Young said.
Rain will be heavy at times in most of the state during the day on Tuesday. Some areas could get an inch of rain and there could be some street flooding in urban areas where leaves are blocking storm drains.
Tuesday’s rain could linger with sprinkles and showers Wednesday but Thanksgiving Day looks sunny and dry, Young said.
“We’re going to try and give everybody a nice weather day for Thanksgiving,” Young said. “Even though it will be a little on the cool side.”