If you’re planning a trip to Pleasants County or just moved into a spot overlooking the Ohio River, you've probably realized that weather in St Marys WV is anything but predictable. One minute you're enjoying a crisp breeze off the water, and the next, you're wondering if you should've parked your car on higher ground.
It’s a humid subtropical climate, which is a fancy way of saying it gets sticky in the summer and bone-chillingly damp in the winter. Honestly, the river changes everything. It acts like a giant thermostat, but it also likes to throw foggy curveballs at your morning commute.
What the Seasons Actually Feel Like
You can look at charts all day, but they don't tell you about the "Pleasants County chill."
January is usually the month that tests your patience. We’re talking average highs of 40°F and lows that bottom out around 25°F. But records show it can get way nastier than that. Back in 1912, the mercury hit -12°F. It hasn't been that bad lately, but 2026 is seeing a pretty standard winter so far—lots of "gray-sky syndrome" where the sun hides for weeks.
Spring is a messy, beautiful transition. March starts to thaw things out with highs in the mid-50s, but it's famously fickle. You'll get one day that feels like a backyard BBQ and the next that requires a heavy parka. By May, the humidity starts to wake up, pushing temperatures into the mid-70s. This is also when the rain starts to get serious.
Summer in St Marys is basically a sauna. July is the peak. Expect 84°F or 85°F as the standard high, but with the humidity, the "feels like" temperature is often north of 90°F. If you’re at the Pleasants County Agricultural Center or walking along the riverfront, you’re going to be sweating. Interestingly, July isn't just the hottest month; it’s also the wettest. We get over 5 inches of rain on average in July, mostly from those massive afternoon thunderstorms that roll in from the west.
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Fall is, without a doubt, the "golden child" of the local climate. September and October see the humidity drop off a cliff. Highs stay in the 60s and 70s, the skies clear up, and the foliage along the Ohio River turns those deep oranges and reds that West Virginia is famous for.
The Ohio River Factor and Flood Risks
You can't talk about the weather here without talking about the river. Living in a river town means you develop a sixth sense for "nuisance flooding."
The Ohio River doesn't just look pretty; it regulates the air. It often keeps St Marys a degree or two warmer than the inland hills during the winter, which can be the difference between a dusting of snow and a sheet of ice. But the flip side is the fog. Early morning drivers on Route 2 know that pea-soup thick fog is just part of the deal, especially in late autumn and spring.
As for the big stuff, the river is generally well-behaved thanks to the locks and dams system, but history has some warnings. High-water marks are something locals keep an eye on. While major crests over 12 feet are rare, they happen. The record crests in the region often follow massive snowmelts paired with heavy spring rains.
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Precipitation: Snow vs. Rain
Don't expect a winter wonderland every single year. St Marys gets about 23 to 25 inches of snow annually. That's enough to be annoying, but it's nothing compared to the mountain counties further east like Tucker or Randolph.
Most of our "white stuff" falls in January and February. However, because we're in the Ohio Valley, we get a lot of "slop"—that freezing rain and sleet mix that turns the roads into skating rinks. Basically, it’s rarely a "dry" cold.
Rain is a bigger deal here. We average about 45 inches of precipitation a year.
- Wettest months: June and July.
- Driest months: October and November.
- Storm patterns: Most big systems come from the Gulf of Mexico or the Great Plains, picking up moisture before hitting the Appalachians.
Surviving the Humidity
If you aren't from around here, the humidity can be a shock. In the summer, the dew point often hovers in the mid-60s or low 70s. That's the "it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity" zone. It makes the air feel heavy.
For anyone moving to the area, a good dehumidifier for the basement isn't a luxury; it's a requirement. The moisture from the river can make things feel damp year-round, which isn't great for your drywall or your sinuses.
When Should You Actually Visit?
If you want the best weather in St Marys WV, aim for late August through early October. This is the sweet spot. The bugs are starting to die down, the humidity is gone, and the chance of getting rained out of your hike or boat trip is much lower.
Late May is a close second, provided you don't mind a few spring showers. The town is in full bloom then, and the hills are that vibrant, neon green that you only see for a few weeks a year.
Practical Tips for St Marys Weather:
- Layer up in Spring/Fall: The temperature can swing 30 degrees between sunrise and 2 PM.
- Watch the River Gauges: If you live near the water or have a boat, bookmark the NOAA river stages for the St Marys gauge.
- Tires Matter: We don't get massive snow, but we get ice and slush. All-season tires with good tread are the bare minimum for navigating the local hills.
- Storm Prep: Summer storms can knock out power in the more rural parts of Pleasants County. A basic kit with water and a battery bank is smart.
Whether you're just passing through or settling in, the weather here is a constant conversation starter. It's rarely boring, usually a bit damp, and always dictates what you're doing for the weekend.
Keep an eye on the local radar, especially during the humid summer months when storms can pop up in minutes. For the most accurate daily updates, local stations in nearby Parkersburg usually provide the best "hyper-local" context that national apps miss.
Next Steps for Staying Safe and Comfortable:
Check the current National Weather Service (NWS) briefing for the Charleston, WV region, which covers Pleasants County. If you are a property owner near the riverfront, review the FEMA Flood Map Service Center to understand your specific zone's historical risk levels before the spring thaw begins. For gardeners, the plant hardiness zone for St Marys is generally 7a, so plan your spring planting for after the last expected frost in early May.