New Watches/Advisories Issued

A winter weather advisory is now in effect for north-central Virginia, and a winter storm watch is in effect for the counties in the Northern Neck. The Richmond Metro Area is currently seeing light rain, with a few communities west of I-95 reporting a few snowflakes mixing in. Snow is being generated in the cloud layer, but is melting in an above-freezing layer near the surface. This layer will become shallower as the afternoon and evening wears on, allowing snow to reach the surface. Accumulations will be limited to grassy surfaces, as surface temps will still be several degrees above freezing.

Snow Forecast Update

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from late tonight through early Friday morning for the Northern Neck, where persistent snow showers are expected overnight through early Friday as a strong low pressure system spins offshore and gradually tracks northward. In the Watch area, 2" or more of accumulation is expected, with some spots potentially receiving near 5" of accumulation. In the rest of Central Virginia, 1"-2"of snow is expected, with some spots potentially receiving near 3", and areas into the Piedmont less than an inch.
Mid-day Wednesday, rain showers are expanding into Central Virginia, with snow in Southwest Virginia. A changeover to snow is expected in all of Central Virginia just after dark, with snow showers continuing through the Thursday morning commute. Surface temperatures will not fall to freezing until after Midnight tonight, which means most of the snow will primarily accumulate on grassy and elevated surfaces. The roads will remain wet tonight until pre-dawn Thursday. At that time, some light accumulation on the roads is possible, which could impact your morning commute.

Winter Weather Update

Two upper-level low pressure centers will merge into one very strong system over the Mid-Atlantic Wednesday into Thursday. The southern low brought snow to central Texas Tuesday and will weaken as it moves northeast on Wednesday. The second low is moving southeast out of the eastern Great Lakes region, and will strengthen as it heads this way. Lift from both of these systems will bring rain and snow to central Virginia Wednesday afternoon, with a transition to all snow Wednesday night. The snow will initially fall into surface temperatures several degrees above freezing, resulting in little to no accumulation through the evening hours. As the near-surface air saturates late Wednesday night, temperatures will fall into the range of 32 to 35 degrees, promoting an accumulation of snow, primarily on grassy and elevated surfaces. Recent temperatures in the 50s and low 60s have warmed street temperatures to a point that most roads should remain wet. Snow accumulations of around one inch will be possible across the metro area, with higher totals possible to the east and northeast. Strong winds will develop as the coastal low deepens just east of the eastern shore of Virginia on Thursday, and moves slowly northward up the coast.