Above Normal Temperatures this July with Varying Precipitation Departures

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV

............ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES THIS JULY WITH VARYING PRECIPITATION DEPARTURES............

Compared to historical records and the 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals, mean temperatures this
July were generally 1 to 3 degrees above normal, although some locations were slightly warmer,
while others trended towards near normal. Elkins, West Virginia had its 5th warmest July on
record, with no other Top 10s set at any of the other official NWS Charleston climate locations.

As is typical during the summer months, precipitation totals this July across the forecast
area varied significantly depending on location, ranging anywhere from approximately 2 to 12
inches. This resulted in a wide range of departures, with some locations more than 2 inches
below normal, while others ended up over 6 inches above normal. For instance, only 2.10 inches
of precipitation was observed at the Cooperative Observer station just north of Dunmore, West
Virginia, which was approximately 2 inches below normal. On the other end of the spectrum and
not too far away, 11.36 inches was observed at the Cooperative Observer station in Buckhannon,
West Virginia, which was just over 6 inches above normal. Approximately half of the monthly
precipitation observed at Buckhannon fell on July 21st when torrential rainfall of 4 to 8 inches
impacted portions of the forecast area, resulting in significant flash flooding in Lewis and
Upshur Counties. Even with these notable precipitation departures across portions of the area,
no Top 10s were set at any of the official NWS Charleston climate locations in terms of the
wettest or driest July on record.

Listed below is the location, rank, and observed value of the one Top Ten that was set this July.

                            July 2026 Top Ten Set (Mean Temperature)
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Location                Top 10 Rank                     Observed Value
         - Elkins, WV            : 5th Warmest                  -> 74.0 F
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------