A CRJ-200 flight crew; cleared for a night time visual approach to CRW; received and complied with a GPWS Terrain warning before continuing for a safe landing.

Narrative

We were on final descent into CRW on vectors for visual 23 to avoid buildups/weather cells east of our position. I had the weather radar on and displayed on MFD for weather avoidance. The Captain (pilot flying) remained in terrain mode. Our vectors resulted in an extended left base for Runway 23; heading almost direct to the ILS 23 FAF. Last assigned altitude and heading were 3;000 MSL and 350 degrees. ATC asked if we had the airport in sight. We called the field in sight and were cleared for the visual approach Runway 23. Published glide slope intercept altitude at STILT is 2;400 MSL. Within 10 NM of the field and cleared for the visual the Captain initiated descent to 2;500 MSL. Prior to leveling off the 'TERRAIN; TERRAIN PULL UP' aural warning sounded. The Captain initiated the GPWS recovery maneuver. Aural warning immediately stopped and we leveled off at last assigned altitude of 3;000 MSL. With no obstacles in sight and the GPWS alert cleared we continued visual approach and landed safely.When flying into an airport at night near mountainous terrain; I recommend asking for an instrument approach (regardless of how good the visibility is in VMC).