Tuesday Morning Update

Light rain continues to move into Virginia Tuesday morning. Temperatures in Central Virginia this morning are safely above freezing, preventing an icing threat in the Richmond Metro area. However, Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for far western and northern parts of Virginia Tuesday, including Charlottesville, where temperatures are falling to freezing. Freezing rain and sleet are already occurring in the higher elevations, with light ice accumulations up to a tenth of an inch expected, mainly on elevated surfaces. Some slick spots on roads can also be expected. Temperatures in the warned region will dip to around freezing by late morning and linger there into the afternoon.

Temperatures statewide are expected to gradually rise through Tuesday evening and overnight, ending the freezing rain threat by early Wednesday. However, heavy rainfall is expected by late Tuesday and overnight into early Wednesday in the southern half of Virginia, which may cause some flooding in prone areas.

This slow-moving storm system will exit the region Wednesday evening, but snow showers are possible on the backside of the low by Thursday in Central Virginia.

We will post updates online as needed, keeping you ahead of the storm.
--Carrie

Overnight Update

Cold and dry air will move very slowly into northern Virginia overnight, reaching a line just north of Fredericksburg to Charlottesville by sunrise. Rain will overspread the area after midnight, with a few thunderstorms possible across the VA/NC border. Richmond will only see a cold rain from this event, with temperatures ranging from 36 to 40 degrees for the balance of the day. Meteorologist Carrie Rose will have the latest look at the weather situation at 5 AM on CBS 6, and here on the CBS 6 Storm Team Blog.

Zach

Freezing Rain Possible

A strong storm system will continue to track through the U.S., bringing freezing rain to the Southern Plains Monday. Light ice accumulation is occurring in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma, with a freezing rain/sleet mix farther northeast into Arkansas and Tennessee.

This precipitation hugs the strong cold front that stalled in the Deep South Sunday, after bringing 30 degree temperature drops to much of the Southern Plains. For example, Dallas, TX had a high of 84 degrees on Saturday, then fell to 37 degrees by Sunday night. Temperatures continued to fall and hover around freezing Monday, with freezing rain falling. Check out some of the record highs set Saturday, January 3, 2009 ahead of the cold front:

Dallas, TX: 84
Shreveport, LA: 81
Longview, TX: 81
Tyler, TX: 80
Texarkana, AR: 79
Tulsa, OK: 78
Little Rock, AR: 77
Fayetteville, AR: 74


Parts of Virginia are expected to receive some of this freezing rain and sleet over the next couple of days, starting early Tuesday. We will be watching this system closely because of the potential for icing in the mountains west, as well as in Central Virginia. Temperatures will be in the 30's much of Tuesday, so any locations that get at or below freezing at the surface, will have freezing rain. Sleet may also mix in with the rain at times.

This week does appear to be a sign of things to come, setting up the weather trend that will likely continue in the coming weeks. This setup could lead to several opportunities for winter weather in rapid succession. We'll be monitoring all of these changes closely and keep you ahead of the storm!

--Carrie