This week on Inside Appalachia, we visit a summer camp that’s part of the legacy of Affrilachian poet Norman Jordan. Also, during the Great Depression, Osage, West Virginia was a raucous river town. It’s sleepier now, but music is keeping the magic alive. And, the author of an upcoming graphic novel about pipeline fighters has a message for people outside the region.
The state’s western counties are under an excessive heat watch through the end of the week.
The National Weather Service expects heat and humidity to move into the Mid-Ohio Valley Thursday and Friday.
This may result in heat index values above 100 degrees, posing a danger for heat related illnesses. The heat index combines both air temperature and relative humidity into a single value of how hot the weather will feel.
Francis Kredensor, lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston, said there may be some variability in the coming days, but high heat is all but assured for the region.
“It’s still a little bit of a question just how high it will be, but we’re pretty confident on at least the 100-degree heat index readings, and a good chance that we’ll be above 105 in a lot of spots,” he said.
According to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, a heat index between 90 degrees to 103 degrees requires extreme caution. Heat stroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion are possible with prolonged exposure or physical activity.
Kredensor reminds people to take it easy, especially those with health sensitive on heat issues, and to over exert yourself in any outdoor activity if avoidable.
The extreme heat is expected to be short-lived as cooler air moves into the region Friday evening.
“It doesn’t look like the front itself has a lot of storms forecast to be associated with it, but definitely it could have some storms,” Kredensor said. “The bigger thing will just be getting some cooler and somewhat drier air in from the north and northwest.”
The governor has placed Cabell and Kanawha counties under a state of emergency due to severe weather conditions that began Wednesday.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey placed all 55 West Virginia counties under a s...
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia couple accused of neglect and forced labor involving their adopted children was convicted by a jury on Wednesday after eight hours of deliberations.