Does it snow in West Virginia?
Known as The Mountain State, the state of West Virginia, the only one whose origin dates back to the Civil War, stands as one of the leading states in terms of coal mining and the forestry industry in the United States.
The latter, leaving aside the fact that West Virginiahas one of the best mountainous natural landscapes in the country: ideal for lovers of hiking, skiing, and snowboarding.
Today, 150 years after its separation from Virginia and its subsequent admission as the thirty-fifth state of the United States, West Virginiahas got to develop its own identity as a state, displaying beautiful and varied tourist destinations and unrivaled hospitality.
Visit West Virginiaand see some of America's State Park like Hawks Nest State Park in Fayette County, Seneca Rocks State Park in Pendleton County, and the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in Pocahontas County.
As if all this were not enough, you can enjoy spectacular winter vacations in the Snowshoe Mountain Resort, the most populous Ski Resort in West Virginia.
Snow in West Virginia? ❄
Does it snow in West Virginia? The short answer is yes. Nevertheless, it is important to highlight certain aspects of this question.
Based on the Köppen climate classification, West Virginia has three climate types: Humid subtropical (Cfa), Oceanic (Cfb), and Warm-summer humid continental (Dfb).
Despite this climatological variety, Humid subtropical is the most common climate in West Virginia. Not surprisingly, this predominates in 38 of the 55 counties that make up the state.
Followed by the Oceanic weather, which characterizes 14 counties; and, finally, there is the Warm-summer humid continental climate, which only dominates in 3 counties of West Virginia.
In this sense, it is not surprising that West Virginia exhibits climatic characteristics typical of humid subtropical regions, such as heavy rainfall, frost, and occasional snowfall, which are particularly enhanced by the mountainous nature of the state.
So, answering the initial question of the epigraph: yes, it snows in West Virginia.
Snowfall is a recurring and significant weather phenomenon in West Virginia. These can exceed seven inches of average accumulation in cities like Romney, Berkeley Springs, Martinsburg, Lewisburg, Charles Town, Keyser, and Franklin.
The climate of West Virginia ⛅
As explained in the previous section, according to the Köppen climate classification, West Virginia has three different types of climates which have their regions of predominance within the state:
- Humid subtropical (Cfa).
- Oceanic (Cfb).
- Warm-summer humid continental (Dfb).
Each of these regions is determined by different meteorological factors, although, without a doubt, the most relevant factor is the elevation of the land.
Not surprisingly, West Virginia is known as The Mountain State. Thus, depending on their ground elevation, some localities vary considerably in their temperature and, consequently, their level of precipitation.
Technical characteristics
- Climate types (Köppen climate classification): Humid subtropical (Cfa), Oceanic (Cfb), and Warm-summer humid continental (Dfb).
- Average maximum temperatures in summer: 80.25 °F (26.8 °C).
- Average maximum temperatures in winter: 44.75 °F (7 °C).
- Average minimum temperature in summer: 26.25 °F (-3.2 °C).
- Average minimum temperatures in winter: 60.25 °F (15.6 °C).
- Average rainfall per year: 43.4 inches / 110.2 cm.
- Hottest regions: Eastern Panhandle (Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson County).
- Highest record temperature: 112 °F / 44.4 °C (July 10, 1936. Martinsburg, Berkeley County).
- Coldest regions: Snowshoe (Pocahontas County) y Allegheny Highlands (Tucker, Randolph, Pocahontas, Webster, western of Grant, southern of Upshur, eastern of Nicholas, northern and eastern of Greenbrier, western of Pendleton, and western of Mineral County).
- Lowest record temperature: -37 °F / -38.3 °C (December 30, 1917. Lewisburg, Greenbrier County).
- Snowiest month: January.
- Average range of snowfalls per year: 34 inches / 86.3 cm (Charleston) - 180 inches / 457.2 cm (Allegheny Highlands).
- Average range of precipitation per year: 32-56 inches (81.2-142.2 cm).
When does it snow in West Virginia? 🌨
Does it snow in West Virginia in October?
Yes, it might snow in October. However, these early snowfalls never exceed a half inch of accumulation on average. So, consider yourself lucky if you spot a snowfall in October in West Virginia.
Does it snow in West Virginia in November?
Yes, it might snow in November. From this month, snowfalls begin to become more frequent and intense, which is evident in the fact that at least a dozen counties exceed one inch of snow accumulation.
Does it snow in West Virginia in December?
Yes, it does! Once the winter season begins, it is common to see snowfall in almost all the territory of West Virginia, especially in cities like Romney, Berkeley Springs, Martinsburg, Lewisburg, Charles Town, Keyser, Franklin, Petersburg, and Moorefield.
Does it snow in West Virginia in January?
Yes, it does! January is the month with the highest levels of snow accumulation in West Virginia. For example, in Romney, the county seat of Hampshire County, these levels exceed 7 inches (17.7 cm) thick.
Does it snow in West Virginia in February?
Yes, it does! Average snowfall accumulation may increase slightly in the state's coldest cities (Romney, Berkeley Springs, Martinsburg, Lewisburg, Charles Town, Keyser, Franklin, and Petersburg).
Does it snow in West Virginia in March?
Yes, it does! Don't underestimate them. Snowfall is still strong enough to take precautions in some cities in the state.
Does it snow in West Virginia in April?
Yes, it might snow in April. Although, admittedly, the odds are slim (only slightly higher than in October).
Where does it snow in West Virginia? 🌨
Taking the month of January as a reference because it is the one that exhibits the highest levels of snowfall during the winter, we present below a table in which we directly answer the question in this section (Where does it snow in West Virginia?):
| County seat | Does it snow? |
| Romney | Yes |
| Berkeley Springs | Yes |
| Martinsburg | Yes |
| Lewisburg | Yes |
| Charles Town | Yes |
| Keyser | Yes |
| Franklin | Yes |
| Petersburg | Yes |
| Moorefield | Yes |
| Marlinton | Yes |
| Kingwood | Yes |
| Parsons | Yes |
| Beckley | Yes |
| Summersville | Yes |
| Princeton | Yes |
| Hinton | Yes |
| Fayetteville | Yes |
| Elkins | Yes |
| Philippi | Yes |
| New Cumberland | Yes |
| Grantsville | Yes |
| Harrisville | Yes |
| Sutton | Yes |
| Buckhannon | Yes |
| Spencer | Yes |
| Grafton | Yes |
| Elizabeth | Yes |
| Wellsburg | Yes |
| Clarksburg | Yes |
| Clay | Yes |
| West Union | Yes |
| Glenville | Yes |
| Weston | Yes |
| Fairmont | Yes |
| Middlebourne | Yes |
| New Martinsville | Yes |
| Morgantown | Yes |
| Wheeling | Yes |
| Parkersburg | Yes |
| Moundsville | Yes |
| Huntington | Yes |
| Ripley | Yes |
| Winfield | Yes |
| Wayne | Yes |
| Charleston | Yes |
| Welch | Yes |
| Pineville | Yes |
| Madison | Yes |
| Hamlin | Yes |
| Point Pleasant | Yes |
| Logan | Yes |
| Williamson | Yes |
| Union | Unknown information |
| St. Marys | |
| Webster Springs |
The cities shown in the table above are the respective seats (administrative centers) of the 55 counties that make up the state of West Virginia. Likewise, these county seats are ordered according to how likely it is a snowfall will occur in their territory (from most to least likely).
How much does it snow in West Virginia? 🌨
Next, we expose a comparison chart of the average snow accumulation throughout a sliding 31-day period (centered on the day in question) in the fifty-five county seats of West Virginia:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Romney | 7,2 | 7,8 | 3,2 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 1,3 | 5,5 |
| Berkeley Springs | 7,1 | 7,8 | 3,1 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 1,1 | 5,1 |
| Martinsburg | 7 | 7,8 | 2,8 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,9 | 4,9 |
| Lewisburg | 6,8 | 7,1 | 3,1 | 0,5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 1,3 | 4,8 |
| Charles Town | 6,7 | 7,4 | 2,6 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,8 | 4,5 |
| Keyser | 6,2 | 7 | 2,9 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 1,1 | 4,6 |
| Franklin | 5,8 | 7 | 3,6 | 0,4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 1,4 | 4,6 |
| Petersburg | 5,7 | 6,2 | 2,7 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 1,1 | 4,3 |
| Moorefield | 5,7 | 6,2 | 2,5 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 1 | 4,3 |
| Marlinton | 5,2 | 6,4 | 3,1 | 0,5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 1,1 | 3,8 |
| Kingwood | 4,8 | 5,2 | 2,8 | 0,4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 1,1 | 3,2 |
| Parsons | 4,5 | 5 | 2,8 | 0,4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 1,1 | 2,9 |
| Beckley | 4,1 | 4,8 | 2,1 | 0,5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,2 | 0,9 | 2,8 |
| Summersville | 4 | 4,6 | 2,1 | 0,4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,2 | 0,8 | 2,7 |
| Princeton | 3,9 | 4,4 | 1,9 | 0,4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 0,7 | 2,7 |
| Hinton | 3,7 | 4,1 | 1,6 | 0,3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 0,6 | 2,7 |
| Fayetteville | 3,6 | 4,1 | 1,8 | 0,4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 0,7 | 2,3 |
| Elkins | 3,6 | 4,1 | 2,5 | 0,4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 0,9 | 2,3 |
| Philippi | 3,2 | 3,7 | 2 | 0,3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 0,6 | 1,9 |
| New Cumberland | 3,2 | 3,5 | 2,1 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,5 | 2,1 |
| Grantsville | 3,1 | 3,5 | 1,5 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,3 | 1,5 |
| Harrisville | 3,1 | 3,6 | 1,6 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,3 | 1,5 |
| Sutton | 3 | 3,1 | 1,5 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,3 | 1,4 |
| Buckhannon | 3 | 3,4 | 1,7 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 0,6 | 1,7 |
| Spencer | 2,9 | 3,3 | 1,4 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,3 | 1,4 |
| Grafton | 2,9 | 3,2 | 1,8 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,4 | 1,6 |
| Elizabeth | 2,9 | 3,4 | 1,4 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,3 | 1,4 |
| Wellsburg | 2,8 | 3,1 | 1,8 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,5 | 1,8 |
| Clarksburg | 2,8 | 3,1 | 1,6 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,4 | 1,4 |
| Clay | 2,7 | 3,1 | 1,3 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,3 | 1,3 |
| West Union | 2,7 | 3,1 | 1,5 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,3 | 1,3 |
| Glenville | 2,7 | 2,9 | 1,3 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,2 | 1,2 |
| Weston | 2,7 | 3 | 1,4 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,3 | 1,3 |
| Fairmont | 2,7 | 3 | 1,6 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,4 | 1,4 |
| Middlebourne | 2,7 | 3 | 1,5 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,3 | 1,3 |
| New Martinsville | 2,7 | 3 | 1,6 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,3 | 1,3 |
| Morgantown | 2,6 | 2,9 | 1,6 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,3 | 1,4 |
| Wheeling | 2,6 | 2,8 | 1,6 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,4 | 1,5 |
| Parkersburg | 2,6 | 2,9 | 1,2 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,2 | 1,2 |
| Moundsville | 2,5 | 2,7 | 1,5 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,3 | 1,3 |
| Huntington | 2,4 | 2,5 | 1 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 1,1 |
| Ripley | 2,4 | 2,7 | 1,1 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,2 | 1 |
| Winfield | 2,4 | 2,5 | 1,1 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,2 | 1 |
| Wayne | 2,4 | 2,4 | 0,9 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 1,1 |
| Charleston | 2,3 | 2,2 | 1,1 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,2 | 1 |
| Welch | 2,3 | 2,6 | 1 | 0,3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,2 | 1,2 |
| Pineville | 2,3 | 2,6 | 1 | 0,3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,2 | 1,2 |
| Madison | 2,1 | 2,2 | 0,9 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,2 | 0,9 |
| Hamlin | 2,1 | 2,2 | 0,9 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 0,9 |
| Point Pleasant | 2,1 | 2,2 | 0,9 | 0,1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,2 | 0,9 |
| Logan | 2 | 2,2 | 0,8 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 0,9 |
| Williamson | 1,9 | 1,9 | 0,8 | 0,2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0,1 | 0,9 |
| Union | Unknown information | |||||||||||
| St, Marys | ||||||||||||
| Webster Springs | ||||||||||||
The numbers shown in the table above represent inches.
Related post → Does it snow in United States of America? | Does it snow in Virginia?
Source → WeatherSpark.