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Severe Winter Storm Disrupts Travel, Brings Heavy Snow

12/9/2025

Center

Winter Storm Impact

A winter storm brought significant snowfall to the Southeast and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, with four inches reported on December 5 and advisories from the National Weather Service (NWS).
By December 9, central and southern West Virginia had up to nine inches, prompting warnings.
The storms caused flight cancellations and delays across the United States, including O'Hare and Hartsfield-Jackson.
Below-average temperatures are expected to continue, raising concerns about heating costs.

Right

Winter Storm Alert

A winter storm warning covers several West Virginia counties, including Kanawha, due to snowfall and falling temperatures.
The National Weather Service expects 3-5 inches of snow by Monday evening, with possible higher amounts.
A warming center will open in Charleston to help residents.
Commuters should tread carefully on untreated roads as minor injuries have occurred from a rollover and a jackknifed tractor-trailer on Interstate 64.

History

Historical Context

The Great Blizzard of March 1888, one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history, claimed over 400 lives and dropped up to 50 inches of snow across the Eastern United States. This followed a series of severe blizzards from 1885 to 1888, exacerbated by climatic changes from the 1883 Krakatoa eruption. Today's winter storm warnings in West Virginia reflect ongoing vulnerabilities to extreme weather.

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Winter Storm Impact

A winter storm brought significant snowfall to the Southeast and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, with four inches reported on December 5 and advisories from the National Weather Service (NWS).
By December 9, central and southern West Virginia had up to nine inches, prompting warnings.
The storms caused flight cancellations and delays across the United States, including O'Hare and Hartsfield-Jackson.
Below-average temperatures are expected to continue, raising concerns about heating costs.

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