West Virginia

What Virginia and West Virginia can expect this winter from the almanac

Published

7 months ago

November 28, 2025

What Virginia and West Virginia can expect this winter from the almanac

(WVVA) – Winter 2025–2026 looks to be mostly mild across Virginia and West Virginia, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac extended forecast, but residents in higher elevations should be ready for colder snaps and heavier snow at times. The almanac’s long-range outlook says overall temperatures will be near or slightly above normal for much of the country, while the Appalachians and parts of the Ohio Valley are expected to trend colder than average.

The big picture The Old Farmer’s Almanac points to a winter that’s “mostly mild—with pockets of wild.” That means most lowland and coastal communities in Virginia can expect milder, drier conditions with fewer snow days than usual. Meanwhile, the southern and higher-elevation Appalachian counties are likely to see colder conditions and a split snow pattern: lighter snow in the northern highlands and heavier amounts in the southern mountains.

West Virginia’s forecast varies by geography. Lower, western valleys should experience a chillier but manageable winter, while eastern and higher parts of the state may see more frequent snow events. The almanac places much of the Mountain State in a zone where snowy spells are more likely at key times through the season.

Timing to watch

Forecasters single out several windows for colder weather and potential storms: mid to late December, parts of January, and early February. For Virginia’s Atlantic corridor, the snowiest stretches are expected around the holidays, early January and again in late February. In the Appalachians, the almanac notes heavier snowfall chances in late December, late January and early February, especially at elevation.

What’s driving the forecast

The almanac cites several large-scale factors shaping the season, including a recent peak in solar activity, the Pacific moving from La Niña toward neutral conditions, and steady ocean oscillations that can influence storm tracks. Those shifts can push Arctic air south at times, producing brief but intense cold snaps that contrast with otherwise mild conditions.

Practical advice for residents

Even a mostly mild winter can produce disruptive weather. Officials and weather experts recommend simple steps to prepare:

Check local forecasts often and be alert to changing conditions
Keep rock salt and shovels handy and clear yards and driveways promptly after heavy snow
Insulate pipes and drain outdoor faucets to prevent freezing
If you must travel, carry an emergency kit with water, snacks, warm clothing and a phone charger
For vulnerable properties, arrange for someone to check on heating systems and utilities

Why this matters

Milder winters can reduce the number of harsh cold days while increasing the risk of freeze-thaw cycles that affect roads, crops and infrastructure. In the mountains, heavier snow at higher elevations can mean travel disruptions and power outages. For gardeners and homeowners, a warmer winter may also affect pest cycles and spring planting times.

This outlook is based on the Old Farmer’s Almanac 2025–2026 winter forecast. For full regional details, visit the Old Farmer’s Almanac winter forecast page here.

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West Virginia

Save Women’s Sports Act now the law of the land – WV MetroNews

Published

5 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Press Room

Save Women’s Sports Act now the law of the land – WV MetroNews

The United States Supreme Court issued its long-awaited opinion in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox on Tuesday, ruling that states may exclude transgender athletes from competing on women’s and girls’ sports teams.

The justices were unanimous in their analysis that the laws do not violate civil rights laws. However, the court was split on whether West Virginia’s law stood up to constitutional muster.

The ruling concludes this chapter in the ongoing cultural debate. The Save Women’s Sports Act was overwhelmingly approved by the legislature and signed by then-Gov. Jim Justice in 2021, and was almost immediately challenged in court. The legal battle trudged on for the next five years on its way to becoming a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Tuesday’s ruling settled the legal debate, but the court of public opinion weighed in on the issues long before the justice issued their legal opinions. According to Pew Research, 66 percent of U.S. adults support laws requiring athletes to compete on teams that match their biological sex. A Gallup poll found similar results, with 69 percent of adults supporting such laws.

West Virginia is not alone in passing a law to protect women’s and girls’ sports. Twenty-six other states have recognized the basic fact that there are differences between males and females and have chosen to pass legislation acknowledging those distinctions in athletic competition.

Lawmakers, who campaigned on protecting women’s and girls’ sports, can now tell constituents that they have fulfilled their campaign promise. The Save Women’s Sports Act is now the law of the land in West Virginia.

“I would say that for the foreseeable future, we have a very certain future for women’s sports. And here in West Virginia, we know what the rules are, we know what the law is, we know that it’s constitutional,” said West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey on Talkline.

Tuesday’s ruling also presents an opportunity for legislators to move on from the issue. Discussions surrounding the topic during the legislative session have been known to grind momentum to a halt, and Republicans running for office over the last five years have made it a centerpiece of their campaigns.

The issue is now settled, at least for now.

As J.B McCuskey cautioned,

“In the world of constitutional litigation, Dave, there’s never an end to any chapter.”

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West Virginia

Transmission line proposals raise ratepayer cost concerns in West Virginia

Published

15 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Press Room

Transmission line proposals raise ratepayer cost concerns in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va (WCHS) — As the conversation around two large transmission lines being built through parts West Virginia continues, the biggest question remaining is, will ratepayers be impacted?

The Valley North project is on the table and it would span from Putnam County to Frederick County, Maryland, totaling to 260 miles. Two new substations would also be built, one in Hardy County and the other in Frederick County Maryland.

According to the project website, these lines would strengthen the grid to deliver more reliable and affordable electricity to homes, hospitals, schools and businesses.

Energy Efficent West Virginia policy director, Emmett Pepper said, building these lines will not strengthen the power that we get at home.

“We have some of the least reliable electricity in the country here in West Virginia. That’s not because of the large transmission lines that we see their tower above us. It’s because of the local distribution lines, the ones that come close to our homes. While there can be some small amount of benefit potentially from the big transmission lines going in, it is the local lines that are the problem and that is not being addressed by this,” he said.

Lawmakers we spoke with earlier this month said between both transmission line projects, West Virginia could have to front the bill for anywhere between $440 million to $900 million.

“This is going to be more cost for rate payers and will not fix our problems here. There are other places in the region that have issues with transmission, but that’s not our issue,” Pepper said.

He said he’d like to see state leaders take action to ensure these costs don’t fall back on ratepayers.

“I think we need to have a rate payers’ bill of rights that would actually protect people and have a plan for how we’re going to deal with this so that it has less of an impact on rate payers,” he said.

Multiple open houses are scheduled for this project in West Virginia:

-Berkeley County, WV: July 7, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Holiday Inn Martinsburg Foxcroft Ballroom

– Hampshire County, WV: July 8, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m Bottling Works Event Center

– Tucker County, WV:July 8, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.Tucker County High School

– Hardy County, WV: July 9, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Misty Mountain Event Barn

– Barbour County, WV: July 15, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Philippi Middle School

– Lewis County, WV: July 16, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Robert L. Bland Middle School

– Upshur County, WV: July 16, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. The Event Center at Brushy Fork

– Harrison County, WV: July 21, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. South Harrison High School

– Preston County, WV: July 21, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Craig Civic Center

– Calhoun County, WV: July 22, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Calhoun County Middle-High School

– Gilmer County, WV: July 22, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Glenville State University Waco Center

– Braxton County, WV: July 23, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Days Inn Flatwood Conference Center

– Grant County, WV: July 23, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Landes Arts Center

– Kanawha County, WV: July 28, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Sissonville Middle School

– Roane County, WV: July 28, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Spencer Armory

– Jackson County, WV: July 29, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Greene Center

– Putnam County, WV: July 29, 2026 | 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Poca High School

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West Virginia

Putnam County man identified as victim in homicide investigation – WV MetroNews

Published

1 day ago

June 30, 2026

Press Room

Putnam County man identified as victim in homicide investigation – WV MetroNews

The grim discovery was made on the morning of June 14 on Cabin Creek Road in Kanawha County. PHOTO: WCHS TV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Putnam County man has been identified as the victim in a homicide from two weeks ago.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday afternoon that the victim was Joseph Lovett, 28, of Hurricane. Human remains were discovered near a burning vehicle in the 300 block of Cabin Creek Road on June 14. Those remains were sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to be identified.

A man was already in custody in connection to Lovett’s death. A coordinated law enforcement effort from Kanawha and Putnam counties, in addition to North Carolina authorities, led to the arrest of Harold Patterson, 27, of Laurinburg, North Carolina, on June 16.

Patterson was charged with first-degree murder.

He’s being held in the Scotland County Detention Center in North Carolina, pending extradition back to West Virginia.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is ongoing.

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