Overnight Update

The latest model data is suggesting that surface temperatures in central Virginia could stay at or below freezing a little longer on Tuesday. This would increase the threat and duration of slick and hazardous road conditions in central Virginia. Meteorologist Carrie Rose will be in the CBS 6 Storm Center in just a few hours with the latest on this developing winter weather event.

Zach

Winter Weather Advisory Expanded

The winter weather advisory for Tuesday has been expanded to cover more of central Virginia. A winter weather advisory is now in effect from 6 AM to 4 PM Tuesday for Fluvanna, Cumberland, Buckingham, Appomattox, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan, Louisa, and Caroline counties. Accumulations of 1-2" of snow and sleet will be possible early Tuesday, before the precipitation transitions to rain.

Zach

Winter Weather Update

As of 6 PM, winter weather advisories were in effect for northern and western sections of Virginia, in the anticipation of a mix of winter precipitation on Tuesday. There are no advisories, watches, or warnings for the Richmond metro area. Areas in and around Richmond will see a period of snow early Tuesday, transitioning to rain by early afternoon. We will have a narrow window (roughly 7 AM to 10 AM) where surface temperatures are at or just below freezing after the snow begins. A light accumulation of snow will be possible early on, but with temperatures rising above freezing by 10 AM, no additional accumulation is expected. A more significant accumulation of ice and snow will be possible farther north and west. I'll have another update later tonight when the new upper-air data becomes available. For an early look at how things are developing, tune in to CBS 6 tomorrow morning at 4:30 AM. Meteorologist Carrie Rose will have the latest weather information in our special early newscast.

Zach

Believe Your Eyes, Richmond, Those Are Flurries!

As of 10:18 a.m. Monday, light snow flurries continue to move through much of Metro Richmond, as has been the case in other parts of Central Virginia this morning. Of course, it is not amounting to much of anything on the ground, but it makes for a lovely sight while it is falling. The flurries are along and north of I-64 at this time, and essentially along and east of I-95. Fredericksburg and into the Northern Neck are getting the light snow flurries, and up in D.C. over the past couple of hours as well. This activity is ending, though, from West to East this morning.

Few Flurries Monday Morning

A few flurries are making it to the surface Monday morning in Central Virginia, but most of the light precipitation moving through the state is not reaching the ground because of dry air at the lower levels of the atmosphere. However, flurries have occurred this morning from Lynchburg, to Farmville, to Richmond, to Hanover, and up to D.C. This activity is very light, and will not lead to any significant accumulations in Central Virginia. Skies will remain mostly cloudy Monday, with light Easterly winds.

A strong storm system is developing in the South-Central U.S. today, and will leave a swath of Winter Weather from Texas to Virginia and into the Northeast through Wednesday. Winter Watches and Warnings are in effect for this region, with a Winter Storm Watch for Western and far North-Central Virginia. This storm system is still developing early Monday morning, so these forecast snow totals Tuesday-Wednesday for Virginia are preliminary.

As for snowfall accumulations, I expect mostly trace amounts of snow along a line from Tappahannock to Richmond to Lynchburg. Along and north of a line from D.C. to Staunton, and in the mountains of western Virginia, up to 3” of snow is possible by the end of Wednesday, but most places in that region will have 2" or less.

Also, some icing is likely along that freezing line, as it shifts from Central into Northern Virginia Tuesday afternoon. This will lead to slick and icy roads and bridges until temperatures rise above freezing in Central Virginia.

The freezing line is going to be the deal-breaker for who sees snow and who does not! At this time, I expect the freezing line to be along a line from Tappahannock to Richmond to Farmville by Noon Tuesday, becoming all rain along and South of this line through Tuesday afternoon. The rain/snow line will continue to shift Northward toward Fredericksburg to Charlottesville overnight, with rain South of that line. By Wednesday morning, snow will be confined to West, Northwest, and North-Central Virginia. Wednesday afternoon, the cold front associated with this system will sweep through the region. Any lingering rainfall will transition back over to a wintry mix before ending Wednesday night in Central Virginia.

The next several days still have many factors that could change and alter the above forecast. We will post updates often, so stay with CBS 6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm!
--Carrie--