West Virginia

Climate in West Virginia

Officially classified as humid subtropical, West Virginia has four distinct seasons. In the low-lying areas and valleys, summers, between June and August, can be quite hot and humid, particularly in the southwestern and eastern panhandle areas; average summer temperatures are around 67F (19C) along the North Branch Potomac River and 76F (24C) in the western part of the state. These two areas often experience milder winters, though throughout the rest of the state, winters are cold. Average winter temperatures in West Virginia, between December and February, range from 26F (−4C) near the Cheat River, to 41F (5C) along sections of the border with Kentucky. In areas of higher elevation, snowfalls are significant, which makes this season popular with skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts. Autumn is a pleasant time of year, and West Virginia boasts spectacular fall foliage. West Virginia can be cloudy and rainy at any time of the year, with heavy fog in the valleys. However, severe weather such as tornadoes is uncommon.