Tuesday Morning Update 7AM

At 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, the temperature in Richmond (33 degrees at the airport) is hovering around the freezing mark, and the leading edge of precipitation is from Hanover to Goochland to Lynchburg. In North-central and Northwest Virginia, the precipitation is falling as sleet and snow. From around Lynchburg and south, the precipitation is falling as rain primarily. I expect a snow/sleet/rain mix to move into the Richmond metro area within the hour. Whatever rain falls to surfaces that are at or below freezing, will freeze on contact. This will lead to some ice accumulation. The precipitation will be light at first, but gradually become moderate through the morning hours as the leading edge pushes into Southeast Virginia.
--Carrie--

Tuesday Morning Update 6 AM

The leading edge of the precipitation is moving into North-central and Western parts of Virginia this morning, with flurries and light snow already falling in those regions. I expect this line to be moving into the Metro Richmond area after 7 a.m. this morning, and overspread all of Southeast Virginia by Noon. At this time, temperatures are hovering just above the freezing mark in the Richmond Metro, staying above freezing from Petersburg and south, and already below freezing from Fredericksburg to Charlottesville. The longer temperatures remain at or below freezing this morning, the greater potential for ice and snow accumulation in Central Virginia. This does mean a glaze of ice is possible into early this afternoon in the Richmond area as long as temperatures remain at or below freezing.

At this time, I expect a snow/rain mix north of a line from Williamsburg to Petersburg to Leesville, with all rain south of that line. From Fredericksburg to Charlottesville and north, I expect up to 1” to 3” of snow accumulation today and tonight. In the snow/rain mix area, I expect a trace up to an inch of snow accumulation by this afternoon, when the precipitation will turn over to all rain as temperatures rise back above freezing. The freezing line will shift into Northern Virginia by tonight, with mostly rain in much of Central Virginia this afternoon. Rain will continue overnight into Wednesday in Central Virginia, and end from Northwest to Southeast Wednesday night.

Check back often for updates this morning.
--Carrie--

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