WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Watch for much of West Virginia as temperatures could fall below freezing late Saturday night into Sunday morning.
The watch will be in effect from late Saturday night, October 17, through Sunday morning, October 18, with temperatures potentially dropping as low as 30 degrees.
In southern West Virginia, the watch includes Raleigh, Fayette, Wyoming, McDowell, Nicholas and Webster counties.
Communities under the watch include Beckley, Oak Hill, Fayetteville, Sophia, Prosperity, Meadow Bridge, Mullens, Pineville, Oceana, Welch, War, Summersville, Richwood, Craigsville and Webster Springs.
The watch also extends into portions of central and northern West Virginia, including Braxton, Clay, Calhoun, Gilmer, Lewis, Harrison, Taylor, Upshur, Barbour, Randolph, Pocahontas, Wood, Pleasants, Tyler, Wirt, Ritchie and Doddridge counties.
Additional communities affected include Clarksburg, Bridgeport, Buckhannon, Elkins, Grafton, Parkersburg, Weston, Sutton, Marlinton and Snowshoe.
According to the National Weather Service, freezing temperatures could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. Unprotected outdoor plumbing could also sustain damage.
Residents are encouraged to take precautions to protect sensitive plants and outdoor plumbing ahead of the anticipated cold temperatures.
A Freeze Watch means conditions are favorable for freezing temperatures, but a freeze is not yet certain. The watch could be upgraded to a Freeze Warning as the event approaches.
