Pool season · State index
West Virginia Pool Season 2026: Opening & Closing Dates by City
Last updated: July 25, 2026 · 3 cities covered
Both halves of the pool year for all 3 covered West Virginia cities. The median calendar runs April 16 to October 15. Every row links to a one-page season overview with the live water-temperature model; the opening and closing hubs carry the full checklists.
West Virginia: a moderate-season pool state| City | Open by | Close by | 80°F+ days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 103 |
| Huntington | Apr 16 | Oct 17 | 111 |
| Morgantown | Apr 26 | Oct 10 | 88 |
What the columns mean
"Open by" is the recommended spring date — two weeks before the city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F, the model's proxy for water approaching the 65°F algae-growth zone. "Close by" is the fall deadline — ten days after the water leaves that zone, capped a week ahead of the local 50% first-freeze date. "80°F+ days" counts days whose normal high reaches 80°F: the length of the true warm-swim season, and the fairest single number for comparing West Virginia cities against each other.
Every figure comes from each city's own NOAA 1991–2020 normals station (named in its guide's footer), so neighboring cities can legitimately differ by a few days. The season overview linked from each row adds the live water-temperature model and the full-year season bar; the state hubs above carry the step-by-step checklists.
Swim-season length across West Virginia
The fairest way to compare West Virginia cities is the number of days with 80°F+ normal highs — the practical warm-swim season. Every bar links to that city's one-page season overview with the live water model.
West Virginia pool climate at a glance
Mountain terrain keeps West Virginia nights cool even in summer, so pools warm slowly, and higher Allegheny towns see shorter seasons than the Ohio River valleys. In model terms that makes West Virginia a moderate-season state. The spread shows up clearly on the local pages: compare Huntington's pool season with Charleston's and the difference is measured in weeks, not days. Neighbors in the index run on their own normals too — see Washington and Wisconsin for the adjacent calendars.
West Virginia pool season FAQ
When do pools open in West Virginia?
Model openings in West Virginia run from April 15 in Charleston to April 26 in Morgantown, with the statewide median on April 16. Each date is two weeks before that city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F — early enough to start up in algae-cold water.
When should you close a pool in West Virginia?
The median West Virginia closing deadline is October 15, and every city's own deadline is capped a week ahead of its NOAA 50% first-freeze date. Closing late and cold beats closing early and warm — cool water holds its winter chemistry far better.
Which West Virginia city has the longest swim season?
Huntington leads with 111 days of 80°F+ highs per year, while Morgantown brings up the rear at 88 days. The chart above ranks every covered city by the same metric.