Central Appalachians Adventure Forecast: Windy Mountains, Brief Snow Flurries, Then a Drier Weekend

October 30, 2025

A departing low-pressure system is the story for the next 24–48 hours across the NWS Charleston RLX county warning area: expect on-and-off rain this evening giving way to a few mountain snow showers tonight into Friday morning, then a transition to drier, sunnier weather for the weekend. I’ll translate the meteorology, point out hazards, and help you decide which adventures to chase and which to postpone.

The setup in plain language: a low over the Mid-Atlantic/PA has been wrapping moisture back through our region. That wrap-around moisture is why showers persist this afternoon and tonight, while the upper-level circulation remains overhead. As the system pulls away toward New England overnight, cold northwest flow briefly returns over the Appalachians. That colder air plus moisture “banking up” against the northeast-facing slopes means rain will change to light snow showers on the higher ridges before sunrise Friday. "Banking up" simply means the air is forced to rise on the windward side of the mountains, wringing out moisture.

Expect only a few tenths of an inch of accumulation if any — mostly on grassy surfaces and higher elevations. Roads and valley routes are likely to remain wet rather than snowy because the ground is still warm. The other headline is wind: tightening pressure between departing low pressure and building high pressure will create a stronger gradient, and that allows stronger northwest winds to mix down into the mountains late tonight into Friday. The forecast highlights gusts up to 45–50 mph on the highest ridgelines (particularly in parts of Pocahontas and southeast Randolph Counties) and widespread gusts in the 20–30 mph range in valleys and foothills. A Wind Advisory has been issued for the higher terrain in that corridor overnight into Friday afternoon.

What that means for outdoor adventurers:

• Ridge-line hiking, mountaintop trail running, exposed falls climbing, and any packraft or canoe launches on small high-country lakes should be rethought for late tonight through Friday afternoon in the higher terrain. Gusty crosswinds on exposed ridges are not just uncomfortable — they’re a safety hazard for anchors and scrambling moves, and strong gusts can topple tents and destabilize anglers on small craft.

• Valley-level trail hiking, road cycling, and low-elevation trail running look far more manageable Friday, especially later in the day as ceilings lift and skies become mostly sunny in the valleys. Temperatures will be cool — highs in the upper 40s to mid-50s across lowlands today, warming to the upper 50s by Friday — so layers are still needed.

• Snow enthusiasts in the high country: this is not a storm for significant accumulations or avalanche concerns. Think of tonight’s flakes as a dusting — scenic and ephemeral, maybe a photogenic riming on branches by dawn, but unlikely to produce winter travel conditions on pavement.

• Aviation, paragliding, and other air-sports: periods of IFR/MVFR ceilings and gusty northwest winds will affect mountain-adjacent airspace tonight and Friday. Expect lower ceilings near ridges and delayed improvement at high-elevation airfields. Kinetic takeoffs and landings near ridgelines are not recommended during the advisory window.

Looking ahead to the weekend and early next week, a ridge of high pressure builds into the region. Guidance trends toward a drier weekend with mostly sunny conditions Saturday and Sunday (with a low-end chance of a weak disturbance brushing the area Saturday night into Sunday morning — worth monitoring). Temperatures moderate into the low-60s by Monday and midweek as the ridge remains in place, offering a good window for photography, long hikes, and river access at lower elevations.

Key jargon decoded for planning:

• Pressure gradient: a stronger difference in pressure between two areas drives stronger winds. When the low departs and a high builds, that difference tightens briefly — hence Friday’s gusts.

• Mixing down: stronger winds aloft can mix down to the surface in unstable or well-mixed layers, producing sudden gusts at ground level.

• POP (probability of precipitation): an estimate of how likely measurable precipitation is at any point. Expect ~50% tonight in valleys and higher chance up on the ridges where moisture concentrates.

Practical guidance: if your weekend plan is flexible, hold ridge-top objectives until Saturday afternoon or Sunday when winds and clouds should calm. If you must get into the high country on Friday, aim for early morning approaches before mixing and gusts peak, stick to sheltered ridges and well-established trails, and secure lightweight gear against gusts. For valley paddling, check local streamflow and wind at put-in sites — midday Friday could be windy on larger lakes; earlier or later in the day will be calmer.

In short: brief, photogenic mountain flurries and a gusty, wind-advisory driven Friday for the high country — then a friendlier, drier weekend that opens back up for more comfortable hikes, rides, and photo outings. Keep an eye on the Wind Advisory for Pocahontas and Randolph high zones and check updated forecasts if you’re planning an exposed or technical outing.