Chief Meteorologist at WOAY. AMS CBM and FSU Alum
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Articles by Jay Polk
Weekend outlook: Cold and windy, but with plenty of sunshine
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – A strong front rolled through the region yesterday, producing showers and a few storms, but also leaving much colder air in its wake, we’re starting off the weekend with temperatures in the upper 30s and lower 40s. A few lingering showers are being seen as well on the radar, and some of these could be falling in the wintry form in the highest elevation portions of the area.
Much colder air is set to move in
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) –¬†We’ve seen some showers around the area this evening as several waves of rain push through. The clouds and showers will keep us very mild tonight, with lows in similar territory to where they were last night. We’ll only drop into the lower 60s, only a couple of degrees shy of the average high for mid-October in Beckley. The rain that will fall over the next couple of days is associated with two fronts that will combine to dramatically change our weather.
Showers and storms arrive, ushering in big changes
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It’s been a transition day today around the region. We started off with very nice weather; there was plenty of sunshine and near record high temperatures. Today’s high of 80 at the Raleigh County Memorial Airport was only two degrees shy of the record of 82, which had been set in 1954. As the day went on, some clouds rolled into the area ahead of the first of two fronts that will bring massive changes to our weather over the next couple of days.
Warm now, but big changes are on the way
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It was another very nice day around the region, with the same blue skies that we saw on Monday. But today, with a southwesterly flow, temperatures were between 5 and 15 degrees warmer than they were yesterday. It’s the usual warm-up before a pair of fronts swing through later this week. Just like today’s highs, tonight’s lows will be in the upper 50s to nearly 60 degrees. Quite mild when you consider the normal low in Beckley for tomorrow’s date is 45 degrees.
Warm weather returns for a bit
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It was a cloudy, rainy, and windy weekend around the region as the remnants of Isaias pushed through the state. In the end, the path of the storm took it directly over the northern part of the area. Now, after a few clouds and sprinkles on the back side of the storm, skies are clearing, a trend that will take us through the next few days. Temperatures tonight will not be as cold as might be expected given the clear skies.
Weekend outlook: Wet and windy
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – The weather today has been fairly nice. While there have been a few additional clouds compared to the past couple of days, the temperatures have been pretty close to normal. Tonight, the clouds will keep the temperatures up a bit, and we’ll drop into the lower 50s. We start off the weekend with mostly cloudy skies and dry weather. But the dry weather part won’t last long as we begin to feel the effects of what was Major Hurricane Isaias.
Nice weather continues, but Isaias looms
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It was nice again today, with a few clouds and temperatures that were a shade above normal. We wound up in the 70s for the first time in a few days. While afternoon highs have been pretty similar on a day-to-day basis this week, the warmup continues on the low end of the scale. Winds have shifted to the southwest tonight, and as a result, lows will be in the upper 40s to around 50 degrees.
A fall feeling now, tropical weather ahead
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) –┬áIt was another very nice day today around the region, with wall-to-wall sunshine. Temperatures were again a bit cooler than normal and wound up in the middle 60s in most areas. Tonight, a slight warmup begins as the winds shift to the southeast, bringing in slightly warmer air. Most areas will see lows in the lower 40s. The exception is in the Greenbrier Valley where efficient radiational cooling will allow temperatures to drop into the upper 30s.
Frosty tonight, tropical moisture later on
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It’s been a great day around the region, with plenty of sunshine and pleasant temperatures. It was a bit cooler than it should be this time of the year, though. With the cool start to the evening, clear skies, dry air, and longer nights, temperatures tomorrow morning will be in the 30s in the Greenbrier Valley and in Pocahontas County. In Pocahontas County, there is a Frost Advisory in effect from Midnight tonight until 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Weekend Outlook: Cooler and wet
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – The rain returned this afternoon and evening. Some of the rain was heavy, especially in the southwestern areas. There was a Flash Flood Warning in McDowell County, as nearly 3″ of rain fell in a few hours there. The showers are gone for now, but more rain is on the way as we go through the night. With the cloud cover, lows will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Patchy fog is again possible, especially in areas that saw rain.
October starts with nice weather, but changes are on the way
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – We started off October today with plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures. Highs wound up near 80 degrees in many areas, with lower to middle 70s in the traditionally colder spots. Tonight, the warming trend will continue, and lows will drop into the upper 50s and lower 60s. Tomorrow, the front that we have been tracking for the past few days finally arrives in our area.
Warm weather is here, rain is on the way
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) –┬áPartly cloudy to mostly sunny skies and mild temperatures were the weather stories for Wednesday around the region. The stubborn clouds that we saw through the day yesterday finally scoured out a bit as the flow turned to the south and southwest. With that, a brief warming trend has begun. Highs for the next few days will be in the upper 70s to around 80 degrees, while lows will be in the upper 50s to around 60 degrees.
Sunshine for now, rain returns later
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – The clouds were stubborn today and much of the region was socked in with clouds until the evening. That kept temperatures cooler than they would have been if the sun had broken out earlier. Highs wound up in the middle 60s in areas that saw more clouds than sun. The southern coalfields saw more sunshine, so temperatures there were a shade warmer. Skies will clear out tonight, and lows will be in the lower 50s.
Warmer temperatures, rain on the way this week
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – We are seeing clouds all around the region this evening as moisture from the Nor’easter that has been impacting the weather over the east coast has produced a deck of low-level clouds. After clouds and showers in Pocahontas County this weekend, the clouds took over the skies everywhere today. At least the showers went away, save for a few sprinkles. Tonight, the clouds will hang around which will keep temperatures slightly warmer than they have been.
Weekend outlook: Great weather for getting outdoors
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It was a very nice day around the region, with plenty of sunshine. High pressure over Ontario will dominate the weather for the next several days. It was a nice change from the heavy rain that we saw a couple of days ago. There is a downside for warm weather lovers, however, temperatures are about 10 degrees cooler than normal.
Cool weather early, warming later
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – After several days of moderate to heavy rain, the skies are clearing around the two Virginias this evening. The cloud cover worked with a northerly and northeasterly flow to keep it cool today. Areas where the clouds were more persistent saw highs that couldn’t even reach 60 degrees! Areas that saw more sun made into the 60s.
Heavy rain, cooler temps tonight
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – More showers and storms are filling up the skies over the western part of the state, and these are now entering our area this evening. More showers and storms are coming into the area from the southwest and southeast as well, courtesy of a disturbance pushing from west to east through the state. As the evening goes on, all areas will see a chance for heavy rain.
Heavy rain continues, cooler temperatures are here
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – We continue to track showers and storms that are making their way through the area this evening. None of the storms are severe, although one or two may contain gusty winds and small hail. It’s the flooding and flash flooding that are the main concerns. Those concerns have been realized in parts of Raleigh, Fayette, and Tazewell Counties with Flash Flood and Flood Warnings in Raleigh and Fayette Counties and a Flood Advisory for Tazewell County.
The rain is here, cooler temperatures are on the way
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – Severe storms rolled into and out of the area today as we continue to feel the influence of a front sitting over the southern coalfields. For the next day or so, the front will slowly move to the south and stall out near the Virginia/North Carolina state line. Along the front, numerous showers and storms will develop keeping us wet. Rain chances are very high, and amounts will be impressive as the front will be able to tap into a lot of moisture from the Gulf.
Weekend Outlook: Another mixed bag of weather
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – We saw some rain push through the area this morning and again this evening. The showers and storms were associated with a front that has passed to our south. With the front gone, the showers are as well. Despite the passage of the front, however, temperatures will not fall off much. Lows tonight will still be in the lower 60s. The first half of the weekend tomorrow will start off nice.
Showers and storms have returned
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – Today started off with more of the same, plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures. Before the rain moved in, the high was 88 in Beckley and 84 in Bluefield. Both cities were only a few degrees shy of records for the date.┬áThe rain cooled things off, but any showers and storms ended shortly after sunset and skies will clear a bit. There could be some patchy fog tomorrow morning in areas that saw rain today. Lows tonight will be in the mid-60s.
Warm today, storms return tomorrow
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) –¬†Our string of nice days around southern West Virginia continued today as there was plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures. It was a bit of a summerlike feel to the weather, with the humidity levels up a bit compared to the previous few days. We even got within two degrees of the record in Beckley! Tonight, lows will be in the mid-60s.
One more nice day, then storms arrive
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) –┬áIt was another nice afternoon around the area, with temperatures a few degrees warmer than they were yesterday. The warming trend continues tonight as lows drop to right around 60 degrees in most areas, with lower to middle 50s in the Greenbrier Valley and Pocahontas County. Overall, it will be above normal for the middle of September. Skies will be clear to mostly clear. Tomorrow we’ll see one more nice day as temperatures continue their climb.
Nice weather early, then rainy days ahead
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – What a great day it was around the region, as there was plenty of sunshine and pleasant temperatures. Highs wound up in the mid-to-upper-70s in most areas, with the higher elevation areas topping out in the upper 60s. Tonight, with dry air in place, temperatures are dropping quickly now that the sun has set. By tomorrow morning, we’ll wake up to readings in the lower-to-mid-50s. That seems cool; but is actually close to normal for the middle of September.
Weekend Outlook: Rainy Saturday, drier on Sunday
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – There were some showers around yesterday afternoon, but as we discussed Thursday night, the front cleared the area far enough to the south to keep the number of showers and storms down. Still, some of the storms had some punch and dropped some decent rain. In areas that saw rain, patchy fog became a concern after sunset and remains so this morning. Lows this morning have been mild again, as the southerly flow and copious amounts of moisture keep it warmer than normal.
Showers have arrived and will hang around
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It is a mostly cloudy evening around the region as showers move through from west to east, associated with a front. The showers have faded now that the sun has set, but with all the cloud cover in place, temperatures will not fall very much tonight. Lows will be in the mid-60s. Tomorrow, more showers and isolated storms are in the forecast as the front moves very slowly to the southeast. The question in the forecast is about location of the front.
Dry weather again, but rain returns tomorrow
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It was another nice day around the region, with highs in the lower 80s and plenty of sunshine. Basically, it’s a carbon copy of yesterday and the day before, with the temperatures ticking up a degree or so each day. Tonight, we’ll see warmer temperatures again, as lows will only drop into the lower to mid-60s. If there is any difference in the weather today compared to the previous couple of days, it’s the breeze and the extra humidity.
Nice today, nice tomorrow, rain returns Thursday
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) –¬†Once again, the weather today was very nice around the region. It was a shade warmer than it was yesterday and that warming trend will continue tonight and tomorrow as well. Lows tonight will be in the lower 60s, with upper 50s in the Greenbrier Valley and Pocahontas County. There will be a few more clouds around, but partly cloudy skies will be the rule for tonight. Tomorrow will be a similar day to today in terms of sunshine.
Wonderful weather to end the holiday weekend
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) –┬áIt has been a wonderful Labor Day weather-wise around the region, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the upper 70s and lower 80s. With dry air in place thanks to high pressure to our north, temperatures should fall to close to normal, which this time of the year is the upper 50s. Tomorrow will be another nice day, with more abundant sunshine and mild temperatures. Readings will be on the rise with the flow turning around to the south.
Weekend Outlook: Stormy Saturday, then a cooldown
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – After another hot afternoon around the region (Beckley set a record high of 91 degrees) severe storms rolled through the region this afternoon and evening. After the line passed through, causing some wind damage in some parts of the area, especially in Greenbrier County, the weather has calmed down tonight. Mild temperatures are expected overnight, with lows in the upper 60s in most areas. Patchy fog is once again possible, especially in places that saw rain earlier today.
Hot today, stormy tomorrow
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – Today was basically a carbon copy of yesterday around the region, with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s. With the humidity factored in, it felt like it was in the lower 90s almost everywhere. Tonight, will be another warm and humid night, as lows will only fall to around 70 degrees. Tomorrow will be a similar setup to today, with highs once again rising into the upper 80s and lower 90s.
Another hot day on tap, but relief is not far away
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It has been another hot and humid afternoon around the region, and we turned the heat up slightly compared to yesterday with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. When the humidity is factored in, it felt like it was in the lower to mid-90s in most areas. Tonight, we’ll keep the tropical feel to our weather, as lows will only fall to around 70 degrees.
Hot again today, hotter tomorrow
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – Warm temperatures were once again the big weather story for our area today, as highs wound up in the mid-to upper 80s in most locations. With a warm start and a fairly short time between sunset and sunrise, we’ll see lows drop into the upper 60s to around 70 degrees. Tomorrow, we’ll turn the temperature dial up a little bit more, as some parts of the region see the thermometer soar into the 90s.
Looking ahead, looking back: hot in both directions
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – We saw a few showers and an isolated storm or two around the region today. The other big story in the weather today was the heat. Highs wound up in the 80s again region-wide once again; that’s around five degrees above normal. Lows tonight will be mild as well, generally in the mid-to-upper 60s. The heat that we saw so frequently during August (for a full explanation see below) will stay on as we start September as highs will push towards 90 degrees again.
Weekend Outlook: Plenty of sun…and warmth
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It was a very nice day for high school football around the region as out first Fabulous Football Friday featured mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine. We wound up in the lower 80s in most areas, with some upper 70s in the typically cooler spots. Not typical football weather in the two Virginias, but much better than the strong storms that pounded some parts of the area last night.
A few storms early, then dry weather takes over
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – A front that is pushing through the region today has triggered showers and storms around the region this evening. Some of the storms have been strong today, with gusty winds and small hail. The day went about as expected, with the strongest storms off to the south and east of the area, so if you’re traveling that direction tonight, there will be some rough conditions through tomorrow morning. The other story in the weather is how mild it is.
Mild weather returns today, showers and storms return tomorrow
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – The warmup continued today as temperatures were near or just above the 80-degree mark this afternoon. The cloud cover rose a bit as well, but there was still plenty of sunshine. Tonight, the skies will be partly cloudy, and the temperatures will be mild, above the normal for the first time in a while. We’ll drop into the lower 60s. Tomorrow, a front enters the region from the northwest, and it will trigger some showers and storms.
Another nice day in the books, but rain is on the way
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It has been another nice day, with plenty of sunshine. There was still plenty of dry air around as high pressure is still in charge of our weather, but as it scoots off to the southeast of the area and fades, the flow will turn to the south. That’s what made it slightly warmer than it was yesterday and will keep it a bit warmer tonight than it was this morning. Lows will be in the upper 50s to near 60 degrees.
The week ahead: nice with a few showers
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It was a pleasant, but cool, afternoon around the region, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. By comparison, the average high in Beckley is 80 degrees, and the cooler than normal weather will last through the night as well. Skies will be clear and with an already cool start, lows will drop to the lower 50s, with some mid-to-upper 40s in the Greenbrier Valley and Pocahontas County. Tomorrow will be another nice day as high pressure continues to be in control of the weather.
The Weekend Ahead: Storms on Saturday, sun on Sunday
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – We’ve been tracking some scattered showers and storms through the region this evening. None of them have been strong but will make for a slick trip out to the late evening plans. As the night goes on, any lingering showers end and temperatures fall into the lower 60s once again. The first half of the weekend will feature more summer-like weather, appropriate for the last day of the West Virginia State Fair in Lewisburg.
Active weather continues, more chances for flooding
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – We’ve seen showers and storms been over the far southwestern areas today. This evening we’re continuing to track storms to our west and some of these are on the strong side. A few of these showers should be able to make it into our area later tonight. The recent mild trend will continue tonight and will once again we’ll be in the mid-60s. Patchy fog is also possible as we go through the morning commute tomorrow.
Strong storms, flooding rain this week
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – We were tracking some strong to severe showers and storms that made their way through the region earlier today, producing some wind damage reports in our area, mainly in Greenbrier and Pocahontas Counties. This evening, most of the storms are gone, but later tonight, more storms are expected to invade the region, and some of these could be on the strong side once again. Lows tonight will be quite mild, typically summerlike, and it will be muggy.
Weekend Outlook: Rainy Saturday, Drier Sunday
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – Some strong showers and storms have made their way through mainly central and northern portions of the area today. We had a Flash Flood Warning and Flood Advisory with the evening storms, and a Special Weather Statement with the later storms. The storms will gradually weaken as they push through the region, but with more heavy rain, more flooding headlines are possible as we go through the rest of the night.
Showers and storms tonight, more on the way
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) –¬†We’re seeing showers and isolated storms around the region this evening. Some of the storms have featured gusty winds and quite a bit of lightning, but so far have stayed below severe limits. If there is a threat with any of the showers and storms that pop up, it will be the chance for flooding in the creeks and low-lying spots along with ponding water on the roads.
Showers and storms become frequent
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It was another nice start to the day around the area, while there was some patchy fog around, it wasn’t as widespread or as thick as it has been recently. With fewer showers around yesterday, there was less ambient moisture around. Later today and tonight, we’ll reverse the recent trends as the number of showers and storms will go up, thanks to an upper-level disturbance that will move into the region.
Another summerlike day around the area
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It was a moist start to our Tuesday morning around southern West Virginia, with patchy fog in some areas and scattered showers making their way into the state from Virginia. Temperatures were mild this morning, generally in the mid-60s and will stay close to or just above normal as the day goes on. Highs will wind up in the lower 80s, and with the humidity around, there will be a summerlike feel to the day.
Weather this week: rainy days ahead
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) –┬áHeavy rain and strong showers and storms rolled through the area yesterday and a few rain showers continued as we started off our Monday morning. Patchy fog was the other travel concern; some locations had visibilities around half a mile. Later today, the fog will lift but the chance for showers and storms returns in the higher elevations as upsloping with a northwesterly flow could trigger a few showers and storms.
Weekend Outlook: Nice Saturday, then a stormy Sunday
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – It was a nice day today around the region, with plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures. Highs will wind up in the lower 80s in most areas, with some upper 70s in some areas. High pressure has been parked on top of the area for much of the day but is now moving to the east. That has turned the flow to the south and southwest tonight, which has raised the humidity level and the overall temperatures. Lows will be in the lower 60s.
Nice again today, even nicer tomorrow
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) –┬áThere has been plenty of sun, mixed in with a few clouds and pleasant temperatures on our Thursday all around the region. Highs today will wind up in the middle 70s in most areas. With the dry air in place, it will get relatively cool tonight, as temperatures drop into the mid to upper 50s, with some lower 50s in the typically cooler spots.
Nice weather now, rain returns this weekend
OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) –┬áIt is a much calmer day today around the region, as the front that gave us the strong to severe storms yesterday is well off to our south over the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama. There were a few showers to our northeast today, but despite some dark clouds at times, very few raindrops were able to make it to the ground, not surprising given humidity levels in the 50-60% neighborhood. Tonight, the dry air will continue to flow into the region, and skies will clear.
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