FLOOD WATCH: Is in effect for Raleigh, Wyoming, and McDowell Counties until 8pm, July 21st, 2025. Excessive rainfall over the last several days in localized spots has saturated our grounds to a point they can no longer drain water effectively. With more scattered heavy rain expected during this time, localized flooding is possible. A watch simply means conditions are right for the event to occur. If flooding does occur, it can happen quickly. Plan for interruptions to travel and remember, don’t drown, turn around. Never drive through flooded roads.
Monday, a stalled front from Sunday continues to bring clouds and rain showers through the day. Isolated at first, we’ll see heavier rains by late morning and early afternoon. The extra clouds along this front keep the sun at bay for many keeping temperatures from rising too high. Upper 70s and low 80s is a general rule with a few warmer spots farther north of Beckley that see a bit more sunshine. Either way, high humidity values won’t make the day very comfortable with an overall damp feel throughout.
With heavy rains expected and grounds already saturated with daily rain the last 2 weeks, moments of flash flooding and localized pooling in low lying spot, be mindful as rains move through as flooding can occur during heavy rain and up to 6 hours after. The flooding that shut down the turnpike in late June didn’t crest until 4 hours after the rain ended. Runoff will also be an issue leading to rushing water on roads, rock and mud slides from hills. All which could impact travel through the middle of the day.
Tonight, northerly winds start to bring in drier air. A few showers and thunderstorms roam through the evening commute but fade rather quickly into the later evening hours. Temperatures will start to feel cool as the drier air filters down. Temperatures will fall sharply into the low 60s for overnight lows. Dense fog in the valleys and areas that picked up rain will be an issue for pre-dawn drivers.
Tuesday morning fog burns off with sunshine peeking through broken clouds. As the day goes, high pressure and southeast winds keep clouds fading away for a blue sky kind of day for most. The ridgelines communities from southeastern Raleigh to Pocahontas counties will see stubborn clouds and a few isolated afternoon sprinkles and light showers. Overall, a much drier day with lower humidity than we’ve seen. Highs reach the low 80s for a little breath of fresh air.
Tuesday night, with mostly clear skies and southeastern winds, temps will fall steadily after sunset. By the pre-dawn lows fall into the low 60s for most in the lowlands with a few 50s showing up in the mountains. Cool enough to perhaps give the AC’s a rest.
Wednesday we start to crank up the heat with southwest winds taking over. Temperatures will rise steadily after sunrise into the 80s by noon. We’ll continue to rise with many in the lowlands running into the mid and upper 80s. While humidity won’t be as high as we’ve seen, it’ll still be elevated enough to give that summer feel to the day. After sunset, temps fall back into the 70s around midnight with the low 60s by dawn.
Thursday a heat dome is forming in the middle of the country where we sit just on the eastern edge. A good placement for those that love the heat of July as temperatures shoot up into the upper 80s and low 90s. With mostly clear skies, high UV indexes will require sunscreen as sunburn can occur in 15 minutes or less. Otherwise, enjoy the fact it won’t rain. Thursday night a few high level clouds roll in but we stay dry. Overnight lows stay close the low to mid 60s.
Friday, our placement along the edge of the heat dome towards our west puts us in line for thunderstorms to roll their way to us. Storms in these set ups can be scattered but strong. The risk for severe weather including damaging winds and small hail is on the rise. Placement is key which will be the one aspect we nail down as the week goes. While not a time to panic, it is a time to adjust plans if needed. A few scattered downpours and thunderstorms roam just past sunset before fading in the night. Highs manage to reach the mid and upper 80s with broken sunshine while falling back into the humid mid and upper 60s for lows.
Saturday will be a repeat as we watch for storm to form out west and ridge the heat dome ridge towards us for the afternoon. Mornings will be the driest part of the day with the afternoons seeing rounds of scattered thunderstorms. Again, keeping the risk of severe storms possible with best timing from 2pm through 9pm. After that, storms fade with the loss of sunshine as temperatures fall back into the mid and upper 60s.
Sunday is more of the same as a cold front slide across the Great Lakes. The tail of storms will roll through the region with heavy rain and a few thunderstorms that could be on the strong side. With a few more clouds in the mix, temperatures stop short of the mid 80s for the afternoon highs. Storms and rain continue much of the evening and early night. After midnight we’ll see things wind down. Clouds remain stubborn as lows hover in the mid to upper 60s…