Current Conditions : 69F / 21C, Mostly Cloudy - 1:54 PM EST Mar. 12

This Afternoon as of Mar. 12 1:31 PM EST

Tonight as of Mar. 12 1:31 PM EST

Saturday as of Mar. 12 1:31 PM EST

Seven Day Extended Forecast powered by

More Rain Later Today With Flooding Possible In the Mountains By Tonight...

Flood Warning Through Saturday for Nicholas, Webster, Randolph and Pocahontas counties...
Flood Watch along counties bordering the Ohio River from Saturday through the start of next week...

A bout of rain showers ended quickly last night and was followed by clearing, setting us up for a round of very thick fog this morning. It may take a while but once the fog scours out we'll actually see some pretty nice weather for at least the first half of the day. Sunshine will push temperatures up to 70 by early afternoon before clouds start to increase once again. Unfortunately another round of rain is headed our way for late afternoon and tonight as an area of low pressure takes shape in Tennessee. That low will track north toward us and the potential for heavy rain and thunderstorms will increase into tonight. Two things we're watching...one is the potential for a few storms to produce high winds and large hail. The highest risk for that would be in Central and Eastern Kentucky. The second, more widespread threat is for flash flooding for areas south and east of Charleston. Because of recent snow melt and already swollen creeks and streams it will not take much rain to result in flash flooding around areas from Bluefield to Elkins (see graphic to the upper right). A Flood Warning is already up for Nicholas and Webster but we wouldn't be surprised if Flash Flood Warnings were issued for other areas sometime tonight. Stay tuned and keep and eye on the water if you live near it in those areas.

Fortunately the heaviest rain will be tonight, and then lift out of our area Saturday. We'll still see clouds and showers Saturday and Sunday but the flash flood threat in the mountains will subside. The problem then becomes the rivers, where the Upper Elk, Gauley, Greenbrier, Tygart and Cheat are likely to approach and exceed bankfull. Until we see how much rain falls tonight and where it falls it's difficult to forecast how high the rivers will get but the potential remains for a significant river flooding event in at least some locations. For the rest of us it will just be dreary and cooler with a high of 58 on Saturday with clouds and occasional showers. Sunday will look the same but feel even chillier as we only reach a high of 49.

We'll dry out Monday with clouds gradually breaking for a little sun and a high of 49. By that time many of the mountain rivers will be emptying their contents downstream, so rivers like the lower Elk near Charleston, the Mud and the Ohio will be on the rise. In fact, it looks like the Ohio could get close to flood stage from Parkersburg to Portsmouth by Monday and that will lead to some backwater issues along the tributaries. We won't be adding any more rain to the mix, though, for the rest of the week. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday look dry with a mix of sun and clouds. Temperatures will gradually warm, reaching a high of 53 Tuesday, 58 Wednesday and 60 Thursday...about normal for this time of year. That should allow river levels to return to normal by that time.