Varying Precipitation and Temperature Departures for the NWS Charleston Forecast Area in September

Strong to Severe Thunderstorms Possible on Sunday

A strong cold front is expected to bring rain and windy conditions to the area during the afternoon and evening possibly lasting into the night as the feature exits. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Sunday with the main threat damaging wind and localized flash flooding. Read More >

Public Information Statement National Weather Service Charleston WV ...VARYING PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DEPARTURES FOR THE NWS CHARLESTON FORECAST AREA IN SEPTEMBER... Compared to the 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals, mean temperatures during September ranged from approximately a degree below normal (e.g., Grundy, Virginia) to three degrees above normal (e.g., Huntington, West Virginia) across the NWS Charleston forecast area. No top 10s were set at any of the official NWS Charleston climate locations in terms of coldest or warmest September on record. Precipitation totals varied significantly across the area depending on location, ranging from as low as 1 to 2 inches in portions of central, eastern, and southern West Virginia, to as high as 5 to 8 inches across portions of northeast Kentucky and southern Ohio. This resulted in a wide range of precipitation departures depending on location, with some areas ending up well below normal in terms of total precipitation, while others significantly above normal. For instance, the official climate site for Beckley, West Virginia received only 1.25 inches of precipitation, resulting in a September deficit of 1.95 inches, also making this September the 10th driest on record there. On the other end of the spectrum, the Cooperative Observer station located just north of Greenup, Kentucky received 7.86 inches, which was 4.82 inches above normal. By the end of September, the higher monthly precipitation totals across northeast Kentucky, southern Ohio, and even the far northwest/western lowlands of West Virginia had led to an elimination of drought conditions there, which had been increasing in intensity across the area through mid month prior to the heavier rain that occurred late in September. Further east, drought worsened over the mountainous counties of West Virginia throughout September, with Extreme Drought present beginning mid September through the end of the month. Listed below is the location, rank, and observed value of the one top ten that was set in September 2025. September 2025 Top Ten Set (Precipitation) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location Top 10 Rank Observed Value - Beckley, WV : 10th Driest -> 1.25 Inches -----------------------------------------------------------------------------