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04:12 A.M. ET — TUE., JAN. 27, 2026
Tuesday morning weather update: Here's what's closed today
Three days after a weekend storm covered the area in ice and snow, arctic temperatures and slick roads continue to grip the region.
The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a cold weather advisory for the area, effective until noon today. Meteorologists warn that wind chills could reach below zero during this time.
Some Kanawha County residents remain without power for a third day, although significant progress has been made in restoration efforts. As of 4 a.m. on Tuesday morning, just over 3,500 Appalachian Power customers remained without power in the county -- down from 14,000 just 24 hours before.
Those looking to thaw out from the cold may have to wait for some time. The seven-day forecast shows daytime highs peaking in the teens and twenties, with many overnight lows in the single digits.
Closings & delays
Kanawha County Schools remain closed on Tuesday. Students, non-261 and school-based employees have the day off, but 261-employees are asked to report on a two-hour delay.
Other local businesses, offices and agencies have also announced delays. Here are some highlights:
Higher Education
- BridgeValley Community & Technical College campuses are closed, but classes will be held online on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
- West Virginia State University is closed on Tuesday; in-person classes are canceled, but online classes will continue.
- Marshall University's South Charleston campus is closed on Tuesday; online classes continue per usual.
Healthcare
- The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department is on a two-hour delay on Tuesday.
- All Cabin Creek Health Centers will delay opening until 10 a.m. on Jan. 27.
- All West Virginia Health Right locations are closed on Tuesday.
- Most Valley Health System locations will open at 10 a.m. on Jan. 27, except for the Huntington location, which will open at 8 a.m.
Government Agencies
- The Kanawha County Courthouse & Judicial Annex will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
- All City of Charleston buildings and facilities will open at 10 a.m..
- St. Albans city offices will open after a two-hour delay.
- Dunbar City Hall is open per usual, but the recreation center is closed, and the municipal court is canceled on Tuesday.
- Montgomery City Hall will open at 10 a.m.
Other
- All Kanawha County Public Library locations are closed on Tuesday.
- Check the KRT Facebook page for bus route changes
01:25 P.M. ET — MON., JAN. 26, 2026
Kanawha County Schools cancels Tuesday classes
Students in Kanawha County Schools will get another day off on Tuesday as the county continues to deal with the effects of weekend storms.
School officials made the announcement on Monday afternoon.
"Kanawha County Schools will be closed and observing a snow day tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 27," school officials said in a message announcing Tuesday's closure. "This is a true snow day and students do not need to log in to Schoology."
While students may enjoy the day off Tuesday, cancelations going forward will require pupils to do school work from home.
"Tomorrow is our last true snow day for this school year," school officials said. "All future snow days will be remote learning days."
Tuesday's school closure comes amid a cold weather advisory from the National Weather Service, which is in effect from 7 p.m. Monday through noon on Tuesday. Officials said that very cold wind chills, some as low as 13 below zero, were possible during that time.
For some school employees, Tuesday will be just another work day.
School officials said 261-employees should report on a two-hour delay. Those unable to travel due to road conditions are asked to contact their immediate supervisor.
Non-261 and school based employees do not need to report unless contacted by a supervisor for an essential duty.
08:48 A.M. ET — MON., JAN. 26, 2026
Storm moves out but frigid temperatures, closings remain
The weekend winter storm has moved out of our region. The National Weather Service's Winter Storm Warning has now expired, but frigid temperatures and ice continue to affect the area.
A cold weather advisory is in effect from 7 p.m. this evening. It lasts through noon on Tuesday. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service said that very cold wind chills, as low as 13 below zero, are expected.
"The cold wind chills...could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken," weather officials said in a statement.
As of 8 a.m. on Monday morning, more than 14,000 Appalachian Power customers remained without power in Kanawha County.
Warming shelters
Several warming shelters remain open around the Kanawha Valley on Monday. They include:
- Charleston - West Side: Bream Neighborhood SHOP, 319 Washington St. West
- Charleston - East End: KV Collective Centralized Assessment Office, 1015 Smith St. (open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.)
- Charleston - Downtown: KRT Warming Bus, Slack Plaza
- Cross Lanes: Tyler Mountain VFD, 5380 Big Tyler Road
- Dunbar: Dunbar City Hall, 210 12th St.
- Sissonville: Alderson United Methodist Church, 6823 Sissonville Dr.
- South Charleston: South Charleston Community Center, 601 Jefferson Road
- St. Albans: Hansford Community Center, 500 Washington St.
Closings & delays
Kanawha County Schools were closed on Jan. 26, and a number of Kanawha Valley businesses, offices, and government agencies remained unopened due to weather conditions. Some notable closings and delays for Monday include:
Transportation
- All KRT services were delayed until 9 a.m. on January 26; additional route changes can be found on KRT's Facebook page.
- Some flights at Yeager International Airport were canceled Monday morning.
Healthcare
- The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department is closed on Monday, Jan. 26.
- Some Vandalia Health CAMC outpatient locations and physician offices may be closed or open later on Monday, Jan. 26. Please call your provider's office directly to confirm your appointment before you travel.
- All WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals outpatient locations will delay opening until 10 a.m.
- Montgomery General Physicians' Clinic will operate on a 2-hour delay.
- All Cabin Creek Health Centers will delay opening until 10 a.m.
- All West Virginia Health Right locations are closed on Jan. 26.
- Most Valley Health System locations will open at noon on Jan. 26, with some exceptions.
Government Agencies
- The Kanawha County Courthouse & Judicial Annex is closed on Jan. 26.
- All City of Charleston buildings and facilities are closed.
- South Charleston city offices, municipal court and rec facilities are closed.
- St. Albans city offices and municipal court are closed.
- Dunbar City Hall is closed.
- Clendenin Town Hall is closed.
- Marmet Town Hall is closed.
- Montgomery City Hall is closed.
- Chesapeake Town Hall is closed, and tonight's sanitary and council meetings have been postponed until Thursday, Jan. 29.
Other
- All Kanawha County Public Library locations are closed on Monday.
- South Charleston Public Library will be closed on Jan. 26.
Local resources
Here are a few local resources you can monitor for more winter weather updates:
- Weather: NWS Charleston
- Warming Center Info: KV Collective
- County Updates: Kanawha County
- Resources/Information: WV211
- Road Conditions: https://wv511.org
- Public Transportation: KRT
- Flight Delays: Yeager Airport
- Power Outages: Appalachian Power
01:47 P.M. ET — SUN., JAN. 25, 2026
Power outages, road accidents reported across Kanawha County Sunday afternoon
More than 20,000 Appalachian Power customers were without power in Kanawha County as of 1 p.m. Sunday, according to data provided on the company's online outage map.
"As predicted, Winter Storm Fern struck Appalachian Power's territory early Sunday morning, resulting in power outages for 16,000 customers from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m.," a company representative said in a statement. "The historic storm has left nearly one million Americans without power and created treacherous road conditions, downed power lines and toppled trees as it moves east."
The outages are spread throughout the region, with several concentrated in the Elk River and Charleston metro areas, including some capital city neighborhoods.
Estimated restoration timings vary by location, but Appalachian Power said most Kanawha Valley customers should have their service restored by 11 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26.
Officials blamed most of the outages on downed trees and power lines, with icy conditions complicating matters.
Metro 911 received dozens of weather-related calls on Sunday, including some accidents, according to the agency's live call dashboard.
Warming shelters
Several warming shelters were opened around the Kanawha Valley on Sunday. They include:
- Charleston: Bream Neighborhood SHOP, 319 Washington St. West
- Dunbar: Dunbar City Hall, 210 12th St.
- St. Albans: Hansford Community Center, 500 Washington St.
07:54 A.M. ET — SUN., JAN. 25, 2026
Dusting of snow gives way to freezing rain, creating icy conditions in region
Most Kanawha Valley residents awoke to a coating of snow on Sunday, with reports of a half-inch to an inch of accumulation in most areas of the region. But the larger concern was the earlier-than-expected freezing rain.
Roadways were iced over by early morning. Local road crews were seen salting roads, but officials were encouraging residents to limit their travel if possible.
Precipitation was expected to be a mix of freezing rain and sleet before noon on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston. Meteorologists expect rain after noon, and said sleet could be heavy at times.
Total daytime ice accumulation could amount to a quarter of an inch on Sunday, weather officials said. Snow and sleet accumulations for Jan. 25 are expected to be less than half an inch in the Kanawha Valley -- far less than what was previously forecasted.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.
06:03 P.M. ET — SAT., JAN. 24, 2026
Winter storm moves into the Kanawha Valley
The winter storm began moving its way into the Kanawha Valley Saturday evening, bringing snow and bitter cold to the region. Officials were encouraging citizens to avoid travel if possible, as roads were expected to deteriorate quickly with the start of precipitation. .
As of 5 p.m. on Saturday evening, meterologists with the National Weather Service in Charleston were forecasting six to 12 inches of heavy mixed precipitation through Monday morning, with ice accumulations around two-tenths of an inch.
"Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice," NWS officials said in a statement. "Travel could be nearly impossible."
On Friday, Jan. 23, Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a State of Emergency in all 55 counties.
12:57 P.M. ET — FRI., JAN. 23, 2026
State officials encourage residents to focus on safety before, during winter storm
At a noon press conference, Gov. Patrick Morrisey gave an update on the coming winter storm, which is expected to bring snow and ice to nearly all areas of the state over the weekend. The governor had previously declared a state of preparedness in all 55 counties in anticipation of the weather event.
In today’s remarks, Morrisey said the state is working closely with counties to coordinate any necessary response. He said right now, his office is working to keep the public informed on to expect.
Morrisey stressed that West Virginians should prepare ahead of the storm. State officials are encouraging citizens to review emergency supplies at home and in their vehicles. Residents are also encouraged to have a few days’ worth of essentials on hand in case they’re needed.
Morrisey also spoke of the need for individuals to take steps to ensure their safety during inclement weather. He said now is the time to check home detectors, refuel vehicles and prepare a backup plan for medical equipment that requires power. Residents are also encouraged to enable emergency alerts on their cell phones, look out for vulnerable neighbors and ensure outside generators are at least 20 feet from the home to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Our priority is keeping West Virginians safe,” Morrisey said. “The actions you take can save lives.”
08:09 A.M. ET — FRI., JAN. 23, 2026
Local agencies, utilities preparing for incoming storm
Local communities, public agencies and utilities are making preparations ahead of the expected weekend storm.
Some municipalities have shared weather-related updates on social media. Officials with the City of South Charleston shared a graphic explaining how citizens could prepare for the upcoming weather and announced they would preemptively close the city-owned South Charleston Farmers Market on Saturday, Jan. 24, “for the safety of our vendors, customers, and staff.”
Employees with several local public works departments said they were ready to plow and salt roads as needed. Officials in Marmet said street department crews would plow roads during the day but not the night, citing safety reasons. St. Albans leaders are reminding residents to move vehicles off the street as much as possible during inclement periods. “This helps plows make a cleaner, safer pass and clear your street more effectively,” they said.
Metro 911 is reminding locals to take safety measures into consideration before the storm. The agency is asking citizens to limit travel during the storm’s impact. They also say it’s important to charge phones and other electronics, and to keep emergency supplies – medications, food, water, warm clothing, etc. -- on hand.
Local utility companies, including Appalachian Power, are readying for possible outages.
“Our Meteorology and Storm Response teams are actively monitoring the severe winter weather that is forecasted across our region,” an Appalachian Power spokesperson said in a statement. “Our crews are ready to respond to any outages or safety hazards in your neighborhood.”
05:51 A.M. ET — FRI., JAN. 23, 2026
Concert, spelling bee canceled due to expected weather
Due to this weekend's expected weather, the Jason Aldean concert, which was scheduled for Saturday at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, has been canceled.
In a statement, CCCC officials announced that the concert has been rescheduled for Friday, August 21, 2026. Officials said all previously purchased tickets will be honored on the new date.
Also, Kanawha County Schools announced that the county-wide spelling bee scheduled for Saturday at South Charleston High School has been postponed. The event will now take place on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the same location.
04:45 A.M. ET — FRI., JAN. 23, 2026
NWS issues Winter Storm Warning; state of preparedness declared in Kanawha County
The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Kanawha Valley, effective from 7 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, to 7 a.m. on Monday, January 26. Officials predict that a significant winter storm will bring heavy, mixed precipitation and icy conditions during this period.
"Travel could be very difficult to impossible," NWS officials said in a statement. "The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute."
Kanawha County declared a state of preparedness on Wednesday in anticipation of the storm. In a statement, officials urged local citizens to limit travel when possible, keep an emergency supply kit, bring pets indoors, check on elderly neighbors, and use proper safety precautions with portable heaters.
In anticipation of overnight temperatures dipping into the single digits, warming centers have been opened in several communities, including Charleston and St. Albans.
