United StatesWest VirginiaNWS, FEMA, USGSArchive to October 13, 2026
West Virginia: warnings and declarations in 2026
The National Weather Service issued 1,118 warnings for West Virginia in 2026 through September, 120% above the average of 508 for those months in 2008-2025. The most frequent was the severe thunderstorm warning (589). FEMA has made 3 declarations for West Virginia this year.
Latest notices in West Virginia
NWS CharlestonWatchOctober 11, 2026
Flood Watch: Washington, Meigs, Gallia and 19 more, OH and WV
Expired 9:00 p.m. EDT, October 11, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningOctober 11, 2026
Flood Warning: Gallia, Meigs, Jackson and 1 more, OH and WV
Expired 10:00 p.m. EDT, October 11, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningOctober 11, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Gallia, Meigs, Jackson and 1 more, OH and WV
Expired 7:15 p.m. EDT, October 11, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningOctober 2, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: McDowell, WV
Expired 9:45 p.m. EDT, October 2, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningOctober 2, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Buchanan and McDowell, VA and WV
Expired 9:30 p.m. EDT, October 2, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningSeptember 24, 2026
Flood Warning: Braxton, Calhoun, Gilmer and 2 more, WV
Expired 1:15 p.m. EDT, September 24, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningSeptember 23, 2026
Flood Warning: Boone, Lincoln and Logan, WV
Expired 1:15 a.m. EDT, September 24, 2026
NWS CharlestonWarningSeptember 23, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Kanawha, WV
Expired 11:30 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2026
Which warnings, watches and advisories does West Virginia get?
| Product | Yearly average 2008-2025 | 2025 | 2026 through September | Average, same months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Thunderstorm Warning | 296 | 420 | 589 | 286 |
| Flood Warning | 91 | 153 | 124 | 83 |
| Flash Flood Warning | 79 | 186 | 240 | 78 |
| Winter Weather Advisory | 78 | 102 | 47 | 55 |
| Wind Advisory | 46 | 76 | 31 | 29 |
| Flood Watch | 33 | 71 | 51 | 30 |
| Flood Advisory | 30 | 28 | 22 | 29 |
| Flash Flood Watch | 26 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Severe Thunderstorm Watch | 26 | 25 | 49 | 25 |
| Winter Storm Warning | 25 | 39 | 16 | 18 |
| Cold Weather Advisory | 24 | 49 | 38 | 19 |
| Frost Advisory | 22 | 38 | 27 | 12 |
| Freeze Warning | 21 | 15 | 29 | 13 |
| Winter Storm Watch | 20 | 33 | 14 | 14 |
| Dense Fog Advisory | 18 | 27 | 19 | 12 |
| Tornado Warning | 15 | 27 | 46 | 15 |
| Freeze Watch | 12 | 12 | 16 | 7 |
| Heat Advisory | 10 | 19 | 16 | 10 |
| Freezing Rain Advisory | 7 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| High Wind Warning | 6 | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| Snow Squall Warning (since 2018) | 6 | 9 | 43 | 4 |
| Tornado Watch | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| High Wind Watch | 4 | 9 | 2 | 3 |
| Red Flag Warning | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Extreme Cold Warning | 3 | 8 | 17 | 3 |
| Fire Weather Watch | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Extreme Cold Watch | 2 | 7 | 12 | 2 |
| Extreme Heat Warning | 2 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Extreme Heat Watch | 2 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| Ice Storm Warning | 1 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Blizzard Warning | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Snow Advisory | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Freezing Fog Advisory | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 13, 2026.
How many warnings does West Virginia get each year?
Every NWS warning (VTEC significance W) that covered part of West Virginia. 2026 is drawn as an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 1,122 |
| 2025 | 892 |
| 2024 | 619 |
| 2023 | 409 |
| 2022 | 667 |
| 2021 | 610 |
| 2020 | 477 |
| 2019 | 659 |
| 2018 | 709 |
| 2017 | 333 |
| 2016 | 502 |
| 2015 | 404 |
| 2014 | 387 |
| 2013 | 432 |
| 2012 | 542 |
| 2011 | 758 |
| 2010 | 564 |
| 2009 | 374 |
| 2008 | 518 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 13, 2026.
When in the year?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 13, 2026.
FEMA declarations for West Virginia in 2026
FEMAMajor disasterOctober 7, 2026
DR-4953-WV: Severe Storm, severe storms and flooding
3 designated areas
FEMAMajor disasterAugust 3, 2026
DR-4932-WV: Flood, severe storm, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides
11 designated areas
FEMAEmergencyJanuary 24, 2026
EM-3639-WV: Winter Storm, severe winter storm
55 designated areas
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries. Data as of October 11, 2026.
Questions about West Virginia's warnings
How many weather warnings does West Virginia get a year?
An average of 548 NWS warnings a year in 2008-2025, and 892 in 2025.
What is the most common warning in West Virginia?
The severe thunderstorm warning: 296 a year on average in 2008-2025.
Where do the live warnings come from?
From the National Weather Service's alert feed (api.weather.gov), which AreaZine reads every few minutes. For a warning in force now, the NWS office page and NOAA Weather Radio are the first source; phones receive only the most dangerous warnings as Wireless Emergency Alerts.