West Virginia has four distinct seasons. In the low-lying areas and valleys, summers can be quite hot and humid, particularly in the southwestern and eastern panhandle areas. These two areas often experience milder winters, though throughout the rest of the state, winters are cold. In areas of higher elevation, snowfalls are significant, which makes this season popular with skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts. Autumn is a pleasant time of year, and West Virginia boasts spectacular fall foliage.