Overnight Update: Ice, Snow, & Wind

Freezing rain (rain falling into surface temps of 32 degrees or colder) has been occurring in the Richmond Metro Area since 8 PM. Trees and power lines have a glaze of ice on them, and additional icing will occur as another band of rain moves through between 10:30 PM and 11:30 PM. Temperatures in the mid-levels of the atmosphere will cool to a point that snow will be the precipitation type after 2 AM. The back edge of the current area of precipitation will have moved through the metro by then, but wrap-around moisture from a rapidly intensifying surface low will bring light snow back into the area a few hours either side of sunrise. Very strong winds are still expected with this storm system, with wind speeds sustained in the range of 25-35 mph, and gusts to 45 mph. Winds in western Virginia could gust higher than 55 mph.

Winter Weather Late Tue-Wed

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the counties highlighted in pink, with a Winter Weather Advisory for the lavender shades for Tuesday through Wednesday afternoon. In the Watch area, more than 3" of snow is expected, with higher totals the farther north you go in the state. From around Fredericksburg to Charlottesville and north, 6"+ of snowfall accumulation is possible. In the Richmond Metro, up to 1"-2" of snow is expected, along with a period of freezing rain late Tuesday night. As of Tuesday mid-day, skies are partly cloudy with primarily high clouds. A few showers will be possible later this afternoon in Central Virginia, but it appears that our best precipitation chances will be after dark. Rain will continue to be likely overnight, with a period of freezing rain, too, as surface temperatures fall below freezing. Once colder air moves into the region aloft a few hours after Midnight Wednesday, freezing rain will turn to snow and continue into Wednesday morning. As winds pick up Wednesday from the northwest while a low pressure center intensifies to our east off the coast, ice-glazed power lines and trees may snap from the combined ice and snow accumulation, leading to some power outages in the region. There are already High Wind Warnings and Watches going into effect in parts of the state for the expected strong winds Wednesday: