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2025 State Climate Summaries

WEST VIRGINIA

Blackwater Falls by Joshua Choate
License: Pixabay Content License

KEY MESSAGES

Key Message1

Annual average temperatures in West Virginia have increased more than 1°F since the beginning of the 20th century. The state has warmed rapidly since the 1970s, and 2015–2024 was the warmest decade on record. Under the intermediate and higher emissions pathways, historically unprecedented warming is projected during this century, with associated increases in heat wave intensity and decreases in cold wave intensity.

Key Message2

Total annual precipitation has been highly variable but has generally been near or above the long-term average since the 1970s. Under the intermediate emissions pathway, statistically significant increases in total annual, winter, and spring precipitation are projected for the northern parts of the state by midcentury.

Key Message3

Flooding caused by extreme precipitation is the costliest and most severe natural hazard for the state. Although extreme precipitation events show no clear trend, they are projected to increase in frequency and intensity, potentially increasing flood risk.

The climate of West Virginia is characterized by moderately cold winters and warm, humid summers. The jet stream, which is often located near or over the state during the winter, brings frequent storm systems. Due to the state's rugged topography, climate conditions vary considerably. West Virginia's elevation—the highest average elevation of any state east of the Mississippi River—moderates summer temperatures. Summer high temperatures range from around 85°F in the southwest, near the Ohio River, to less than 70°F in the east-central mountains (1991–2020 averages). Winter low temperatures range from less than 20°F in mountainous regions to almost 30°F in the far south. The majority of West Virginia generally receives 40–50 inches of precipitation per year, with some high-elevation locations receiving more than 60 inches. Some parts of the eastern panhandle receive annual precipitation of less than 40 inches because of their location within a rain shadow (an area of reduced rainfall on the downwind side of a mountain range).

Figure 1 Observed and Projected Temperature Change
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Figure 1. Observed and Projected Temperature Change. For more details, consult the image description section following the caption.
Figure 1: Observed and projected changes (compared to the 1901–1960 average) in near-surface annual average air temperature for West Virginia. Observed data are for 1900–2024. Projected changes for 2015–2100 were generated using global climate models to explore three possible futures, associated with lower, intermediate, and higher greenhouse gas emissions pathways (the SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, respectively). Temperatures in West Virginia (black line) have increased more than 1°F since the beginning of the 20th century (based on a linear trend). Warming in recent decades has been much more rapid, with temperatures increasing at a rate of about 0.5°F per decade over 1970–2024. Shading indicates the range of annual temperatures from the set of models. Observed temperatures are generally within the envelope of model simulations of the historical period (light gray shading). Less warming is expected under a lower emissions future (the coldest end-of-century projections being about 2.2°F warmer than the 1901–1960 average; blue shading) and more warming under a higher emissions future (the hottest end-of-century projections being about 12.5°F warmer than the hottest year in the observed record; red shading), while the intermediate emissions future leads to moderate warming (with end-of-century projections ranging from about 4.1°F to 10.0°F above the 1901–1960 average; dark gray shading). Adapted from Runkle et al. 2022. Data: NClimDiv and CMIP6.
Description

Time series of observed and projected temperature change (in degrees Fahrenheit) for West Virginia from 1900 to 2100 as described in the caption.

Y-axis values range from negative 4 to positive 18 degrees. Observed annual temperatures from 1900 to 2024 show variability and range from negative 2.9 to positive 3.4 degrees. By the end of the century, projected increases in temperature range from 2.3 to 8.1 degrees under the lower emissions pathway, from 4.2 to 10.2 degrees under the intermediate pathway, and from 7.9 to 16.4 degrees under the higher pathway.

Annual average temperatures in West Virginia have increased more than 1°F since the beginning of the 20th century (Figure 1). Temperatures increased during the early part of the 20th century and then cooled substantially during the middle of the century. The state has warmed rapidly since the 1970s, and 2015–2024 was the warmest decade on record. Both winter and summer average temperatures have generally been near or above average since the late 1980s (Figures 2a and 2b). The number of very hot days has generally been below average since the late 1950s (Figure 3a), while the number of warm nights has mostly been above average since the 2010s (Figure 3b). The number of very cold nights has generally been near or below average since the 1990s (Figure 4).

Figure 2 Observed Winter Average and Summer Average Temperatures
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Figure 2. Observed Winter Average and Summer Average Temperatures. For more details, consult the image description section following the caption.
Figure 2: Observed (a) winter (December–February) and (b) summer (June–August) average temperatures for West Virginia from (a) 1895–96 to 2023–24 and (b) 1895 to 2024. Dots show annual values. Bars show averages over 5-year periods (first bar in Figure 2a is a 4-winter average). The horizontal black lines show the long-term (entire period) averages of (a) 32.4°F and (b) 70.3°F. Both winter and summer temperatures have generally been near or above average since the late 1980s. The highest 5-year averages for both were recorded for the 2020–2024 period. Adapted from Runkle et al. 2022. Data: NClimDiv.
Description

Two graphs of the observed (a) winter and (b) summer average temperatures for West Virginia from 1895–96 to 2023–24 and 1895 to 2024, respectively, as described in the caption.

Panel A: Winter Average Temperature
Y-axis values range from 20 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual values show year-to-year variability and range from 24.5 to 40.9 degrees. Five-year values also show variability and are all near or below the long-term average of 32.4 degrees between 1895 and 1989 except for the 1930 to 1934 and 1950 to 1959 periods, but they are all near or above average since 1990. The 1975 to 1979 period has the lowest 5-year value at 29.1 degrees, and the 2020 to 2024 period has the highest at 36.3 degrees.

Panel B: Summer Average Temperature
Y-axis values range from 66 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual values show year-to-year variability and range from 66.9 to 73.0 degrees. Five-year values also show variability and are above the long-term average of 70.3 degrees between 1895 and 1904, all below average between 1905 and 1929, all near or above average between 1930 and 1959, and all below average between 1960 and 1984. All 5-year values since 1985 are near or above average except for the 2000 to 2004 period. The 1925 to 1929 and 1960 to 1964 periods have the lowest 5-year values at 69.1 degrees each, and the 1895 to 1894 and 2020 to 2024 periods have the highest at 71.31 and 71.27 degrees, respectively.

Figure 3 Observed Number of Very Hot Days and Warm Nights
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Figure 3. Observed Number of Very Hot Days and Warm Nights. For more details, consult the image description section following the caption.
Figure 3: Observed annual number of (a) very hot days (maximum temperature of 95°F or higher) and (b) warm nights (minimum temperature of 70°F or higher) for West Virginia from 1900 to 2024. Dots show annual values. Bars show averages over 5-year periods. The horizontal black lines show the long-term (entire period) averages of (a) 3.2 days and (b) 1.1 nights. The number of very hot days has generally been below average since the late 1950s. The number of warm nights has mostly been above average since the 2010s. The highest 5-year averages for both very hot days and warm nights were recorded during the droughts of the 1930s. Adapted from Runkle et al. 2022. Data: GHCN-Daily.
Description

Two graphs of the observed annual number of (a) very hot days and (b) warm nights for West Virginia from 1900 to 2024 as described in the caption.

Panel A: Very Hot Days
Y-axis values range from 0 to 24 days. Annual values show year-to-year variability and range from 0 to 21.9 days. Five-year values also show variability and are mostly above the long-term average of 3.2 days between 1900 and 1954 but are all near or below average since 1955 except for the 1985 to 1989 period. The 1970 to 1974 period has the lowest 5-year value at 0.3 days, and the 1930 to 1934 period has the highest at 12.4 days.

Panel B: Warm Nights
Y-axis values for warm nights range from 0 to 8 nights. Annual values show year-to-year variability and range from 0 to 6.1 nights. Five-year values also show variability and are all below the long-term average of 1.1 nights between 1900 and 1914, mostly near or above average between 1915 and 1954, all below average between 1955 and 2009, and all above average since 2010. The 1905 to 1909 period has the lowest 5-year value at 0.3 nights, and the 1930 to 1934 period has the highest at 3.6 nights.

Figure 4 Observed Number of Very Cold Nights
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Figure 4. Observed Number of Very Cold Nights. For more details, consult the image description section following the caption.
Figure 4: Observed annual number of very cold nights (minimum temperature of 0°F or lower) for West Virginia from 1900 to 2024. Dots show annual values. Bars show averages over 5-year periods. The horizontal black line shows the long-term (entire period) average of 3.9 nights. The number of very cold nights has generally been near or below average since the 1990s. Adapted from Runkle et al. 2022. Data: GHCN-Daily.
Description

Graph of the observed annual number of very cold nights for West Virginia from 1900 to 2024 as described in the caption.

Y-axis values range from 0 to 20 nights. Annual values show year-to-year variability and range from 0 to 17.2 nights. Five-year values also show variability and are mostly near or below the long-term average of 3.9 nights between 1900 and 1959, all above average between 1960 and 1989 except for the 1970 to 1974 period, and all below average since 1990 except for the 2015 to 2019 period. The 1950 to 1954 period has the lowest 5-year value at 1.1 nights, and the 1975 to 1979 and 1980 to 1984 periods have the two highest at 8.9 and 7.5 nights, respectively.

Statewide total annual precipitation has ranged from a low of 25.3 inches in 1930 to a high of 65.1 inches in 2018 (Figure 5). Annual precipitation has been variable but has generally been near or above average since the 1970s. The number of 2-inch extreme precipitation events shows no overall trend (Figure 6). The mountains of West Virginia see some of the highest snowfall totals east of the Mississippi River, with an annual average of 100 inches. The state record for monthly snowfall was set in February 2010, when the weather station at Bayard recorded 158.2 inches, eclipsing the earlier record by more than 50 inches. In August 2024, West Virginia experienced its first exceptional drought (the US Drought Monitor's highest category of drought severity), resulting in damages to crops and water shortages, as well as contributing to a deadly wildfire season.

Figure 5 Observed Total Annual Precipitation
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Figure 5. Observed Total Annual Precipitation. For more details, consult the image description section following the caption.
Figure 5: Observed total annual precipitation for West Virginia from 1895 to 2024. Dots show annual values. Bars show averages over 5-year periods. The horizontal black line shows the long-term (entire period) average of 45.1 inches. Annual precipitation has generally been near or above average since the 1970s. Adapted from Runkle et al. 2022. Data: NClimDiv.
Description

Graph of the observed total annual precipitation for West Virginia from 1895 to 2024 as described in the caption.

Y-axis values range from 20 to 68 inches. Annual values show year-to-year variability and range from 25.3 to 65.1 inches. Five-year values also show variability and are below the long-term average of 45.1 inches between 1895 and 1904, all near or above average between 1905 and 1939 except for the 1930 to 1934 period, and all near or below average between 1940 and 1969. Since 1970, 5-year values are mostly near or above average. The 1965 to 1969 period has the lowest 5-year value at 39.9 inches, and the 2015 to 2019 period has the highest at 50.9 inches.

Figure 6 Observed Number of 2-Inch Extreme Precipitation Events
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Figure 6. Observed Number of 2-Inch Extreme Precipitation Events. For more details, consult the image description section following the caption.
Figure 6: Observed annual number of 2-inch extreme precipitation events (days with precipitation of 2 inches or more) for West Virginia from 1900 to 2024. Dots show annual values. Bars show averages over 5-year periods. The horizontal black line shows the long-term (entire period) average of 0.9 events, indicating that a typical reporting station experiences an event about once per year. There is no overall trend in the number of 2-inch extreme precipitation events. Adapted from Runkle et al. 2022. Data: GHCN-Daily.
Description

Graph of the observed annual number of 2-inch extreme precipitation events for West Virginia from 1900 to 2024 as described in the caption.

Y-axis values range from 0.0 to 3.0 events. Annual values show year-to-year variability and range from 0 to 2.7 events. Five-year values also show variability and are below the long-term average of 0.9 events between 1900 and 1909 but are all above average between 1910 and 1924. Since 1925, 5-year values are mostly near or below average. One exception is the 2000 to 2004 period, which has the highest 5-year value at 1.4 events. The 1990 to 1994 period has the lowest 5-year value at 0.5 events.

West Virginia is affected by a variety of extreme events, such as floods, tornadoes, heat waves and cold waves, ice storms, remnants of hurricanes, and snowstorms, including nor'easters—cold-season coastal storms that can generate a tremendous amount of precipitation (in the form of snow, sleet, or freezing rain), strong winds, coastal flooding, and damage to infrastructure. Tornadoes occurred an average of three times per year in the state between 1995 and 2024, although 2024 was a record year: the state saw 21 tornadoes—including 10 on April 2—the greatest number in any year since recordkeeping began in 1950. During August 7–8, 2023, a severe storm system dropped an EF1 tornado in Wayne County, while Preston County saw tennis ball–sized (2.5 inch) hail. Flooding, caused by extreme precipitation over the rugged topography, is the costliest and most severe natural hazard for the state. The two most significant historical flooding events occurred in 1937 and 1985. The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 affected numerous states, but the southwestern part of West Virginia, near Huntington, was the hardest hit. Heavy downpours occurred over a 2-week period, with rainfall averaging 6 to 12 inches throughout the region. The river level at Huntington was the highest ever recorded, cresting at 69.5 feet, 19.5 feet above flood stage. In November 1985, an extratropical storm (the remnants of Hurricane Juan) produced up to 10 inches of rainfall across West Virginia. Extensive river flooding, mostly in the eastern portion of the state, resulted in more than $500 million in damages to 3,500 homes and 180 businesses. Another major flood event occurred in June 2016, when 8 to 10 inches of rain fell in less than 12 hours. The Elk River rose to more than 33 feet, breaking the previous record set in 1888. At least 23 people were killed by flash floods. Between May and August 2022, West Virginia experienced several rounds of flash flooding. During one of these events, on June 14, a derecho (a widespread, long-lived straight-line windstorm associated with a series of severe thunderstorms) moved through the northern part of the state, damaging dozens of buildings, downing hundreds of trees, and leading to flooding that led to the drowning death of one person. More recently, a major storm hit southern West Virginia during February 15–18, 2025, dropping up to 4 inches of rain on soils already saturated from two earlier storms. Record- and near-record-high levels on the Tug Fork, Bluestone, and Guyandotte Rivers produced life-threatening flash flooding, resulting in washed-out roads, inundated buildings, rockslides, disrupted rail service, multiple water rescues, and at least 3 fatalities. At the same time, high-elevation locations in the eastern part of the state were under blizzard warnings.

Much of West Virginia's land cover is forested, providing unique habitats for many plants and animals, some of which are endangered. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns threaten these ecosystems. For example, upland red spruce communities are highly vulnerable to warming because of their location on the highest mountaintops, surrounding low-elevation areas that serve as barriers to dispersal, and fairly narrow temperature and precipitation tolerances.

Under the intermediate and higher emissions pathways, historically unprecedented warming is projected during this century (Figure 1). Even under the lower emissions pathway, most projections show annual average temperatures exceeding historical levels by the middle of the century. However, projections for all three pathways show a large range of potential temperature increases, and some projections for the lower pathway are comparable to recent observed values. Increased heat wave intensity and decreased cold wave intensity are projected.

Under the intermediate emissions pathway, statistically significant increases in total annual (Figure 7), winter, and spring precipitation are projected for northern portions of West Virginia by midcentury but are less certain elsewhere. There is uncertainty in the projections for summer and fall precipitation. The number and intensity of extreme precipitation events are projected to increase, potentially increasing flooding risks.

Figure 7 Projected Changes in Total Annual Precipitation
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Figure 7. Projected Changes in Total Annual Precipitation. For more details, consult the image description section following the caption.
Figure 7: Projected changes in total annual precipitation (%) for the middle of the 21st century (2041–2070) compared to the 1991–2020 average under the intermediate emissions pathway (SSP2-4.5 scenario). For areas with hatching, a majority of models project statistically significant changes and agree on the direction of change. For areas without hatching, less than half of models project statistically significant changes. Statistically significant increases of 5–10% in total annual precipitation are projected for northern portions of West Virginia. Annual precipitation is also projected to increases throughout the rest of the state; however, these changes are not statistically significant. Adapted from Runkle et al. 2022. Data: CMIP6.
Description

Map of the contiguous United States showing the projected changes in total annual precipitation by the middle of this century as described in the caption. The state of West Virginia is outlined in black.

Legend values range from less than negative 10 to greater than positive 15 percent. Note: unless otherwise specified, projected values are not statistically significant.

West Virginia
The southwestern portion of West Virginia is projected to see increases in total annual precipitation of up to 5 percent, while the northeastern region is expected to see statistically significant increases of 5 to 10 percent.

Contiguous US
Projected increases in total annual precipitation are as follows: up to 5 percent for most of the Southeast, as well as the central Midwest, central Great Plains, central West, and Northwest; and 5 to 10 percent for all of the Northeast, as well as portions of the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, northern Midwest, northern Great Plains, and Pacific Northwest, with statistically significant increases in the 5 to 10 percent range for the Northeast, northeastern Midwest, and portions of the northern Great Plains and Pacific Northwest.

Projected decreases of up to 5 percent are expected across most of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, as well as southern California.

Drought occurs periodically and is a natural part of the state's climate. Higher temperatures are projected to increase evaporation rates and soil moisture loss during dry spells, potentially resulting in more intense droughts in the future.

Details on observations and projections are available on the Technical Details and Additional Information page.
The compiled version of the 2022 State Climate Summaries, including the complete author list and recommended citations, is available on the Downloads page.

Authors
Laura E. Stevens, North Carolina State University
James Anheuser, North Carolina State University
Mark R. Essig, North Carolina State University
April D. Lamb, North Carolina State University
Thomas K. Maycock, North Carolina State University
Andrea L. McCarrick, North Carolina State University
Alexis Visovatti, North Carolina State University
Contributors
Jessicca Allen, Visual Communications Lead and PDF Layout, North Carolina State University
Jeff Bliss, Data Explorer Tool Development, National Environmental Mapping and Applications Center
Amy Camper, Visual Communications and PDF Layout, Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC
Ryan Cox, Web Application Engineer, North Carolina State University
Jacquelyn Crossman, Citation Management, NOAA NCEI Librarian, MPF-ZAI
Greg Dobson, GIS and Figure Development, National Environmental Mapping and Applications Center
David R. Easterling, Advisor, Future Climate, LLC, and Earth Knowledge, Inc.
Aaron Goodman, Web Developer, North Carolina State University
Katharine M. Johnson, Web Team Lead and GIS Analyst, North Carolina State University
Kenneth E. Kunkel, Advisor and Principal Research Scholar, North Carolina State University
Ciara R. Lemery, Figure and Production Coordination, Independent Contractor
Angel Li, Web Developer, North Carolina State University
Dave Michelson, Data Explorer Tool Development, National Environmental Mapping and Applications Center
Ronald Opio, Data Analysis and Figure Development, North Carolina State University
Xia Sun, Data Analysis and Figure Development, North Carolina State University
Xiangdong Zhang, Advisor, North Carolina State University
Acknowledgements
Tamara Houston, Regional Climate Center Review Coordination, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Jessica Spaccio, Northeast Region Expert Review, Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell University
Recommended Citation
Stevens, L.E., J. Anheuser, M.R. Essig, A.D. Lamb, T.K. Maycock, A.L. McCarrick, and A. Visovatti, 2026: 2025 State Climate Summaries for the United States: West Virginia. [Update to Runkle et al., 2022: West Virginia State Climate Summary 2022.] North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies Report NCICS-001-WV. North Carolina State University, Asheville, NC. https://doi.org/10.52750/656466

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