The Climate of West Virginia

By | August 27, 2022

According to Abbreviation Finder, the US state of West Virginia (WV) is located in the northeast of the United States of America. Due to its location partly in the Appalachians, the state has the nickname “Mountain State”. The eastern and southern part of West Virginia is mainly mountainous, with an overflow to more hilly area towards the (north) west. West Virginia has a warm continental climate, which clearly has four seasons. The winter period is fairly cool, with sometimes severe night frosts in the months of December, January and February. Spring runs from March to May, after which summer lasts for four months and guarantees fairly high maximum temperatures. The relatively short autumn (October and November) causes a fairly rapid drop in temperature, while the number of precipitation days decreases.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

maximum temperature minimum temperature hours of sunshine per day days of rainfall per month
January 5℃ -5℃ 4 14
February 7℃ -4℃ 5 13
March 13℃ 1℃ 6 14
April 19℃ 6℃ 7 13
May 24℃ 10℃ 8 13
June 28℃ 15℃ 8 11
July 30℃ 18℃ 8 11
August 29℃ 17℃ 8 11
September 26℃ 13℃ 7 9
October 20℃ 7℃ 6 9
November 14℃ 2℃ 4 11
December 8℃ -3℃ 3 14

The climate of Beckley

Beckley is a small town in the southeastern part of the US state of West Virginia. In the town is the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, which gives a good idea of ​​life and work in a coal mine. The city is also home to Mountain State University and a Concord University campus.

Beckley has a warm continental climate, with pleasantly warm summers and cold winters. The winter months can be cold, with periods of longer frost. During the summer months, the mercury rises quickly and temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius are certainly no exception. Precipitation is approximately the same throughout the year.

The climate of Charleston

According to Countryaah, Charleston is the capital of the US state of West Virginia. The city is located at the junction of the Kanawha and Elk rivers, at an elevation of about 182 meters. Charleston lies on the border of a warm continental climate (type Dfa according to Köppen) and a warm maritime climate (type Cfa). Charleston is on average slightly warmer than many other places in the region. Winters are cool but rarely really cold, summers are warm and sometimes hot; the springs have a very erratic course of precipitation. Fall—with pleasant daytime temperatures and fairly low rainfall—is considered by most to be Charleston’s most enjoyable season.

Huntington’s climate

Huntington is located in the western part of the US state of West Virginia, not far from the Ohio border. Huntington is located on the banks of the Ohio River. The city is home to Marshall University, which has a major influence on everyday life in the city. In the 1970s, the plane containing the American football team, coaches and a large part of the supporters of this university crashed.

Huntington has a warm continental climate, with a clear difference between the seasons. Especially the temperature difference between the summer and winter months is very large. Temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius are normal in the summer months, while it can freeze firmly in the winter months. The average precipitation is about the same throughout the year, although the precipitation figures can differ greatly per day.

The climate of Morgantown

Morgantown is located in the north of the US state of West Virginia, on the banks of the Monongahela River. The city is not far from the border with the state of Pennsylvania. Morgantown is known for its unique transportation system, the Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit, which connects the various campuses of West Virginia University and the downtown area. This university doubles the population of Morgantown.

Morgantown has a warm continental climate, with a clear difference between the four seasons. Especially the difference in temperatures is very large. In the winter months it can freeze hard, often accompanied by snow storms, while the summer months are sunny and warm. The average precipitation is about the same throughout the year, although February is on average the driest month of the year.

The climate of Parkersburg

Parkersburg is located in the northeast of the US state of West Virginia. The city is located not far from the Ohio border, on the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers. The last of these rivers flows right through the city. During the Civil War, the city was an important transportation hub.

Parkersburg has a warm continental climate, with the corresponding climate figures. Winters are cold, with a chance of heavy snow showers. Summers are pleasantly warm and sometimes even hot. Precipitation is the same throughout the year, but can vary greatly from day to day.

Parkersburg West Virginia