The National Weather Service is predicting an incoming storm will bring between 2 and 5 inches of snow and wind gusts of up to 35 mph to the Historic Triangle.
NWS issued a winter storm warning, which is in effect until midnight Tuesday. In addition to the snow and wind, frigid temperatures are predicted with wind chill values between zero and five below zero.
The weather is expected to cause roads to quickly become covered in snow, leading to slippery conditions. According to NWS, travel will be dangerous from late afternoon Tuesday through midnight Wednesday.
In anticipation of the storm, local schools and government officials have been taking action to prepare. The Virginia Department of Transportation has pre-treated key roads in the area in a bid to keep them from becoming too slippery. Public works crews from the City of Williamsburg have pre-treated bridges and are standing by with snow equipment for 24-hour operations.
Check out VDOT’s real-time traffic website by clicking here. Call 511 or 361-3016 or tune into Highway Advisory Radio at 1680 AM for information on traffic .
For a full list of school closures and other delays, click here. For a list of sports events canceled due to the inclement weather, click here.
The office of Gov. Terry McAuliffe issued recommendations for state residents to stay safe in the storm.
“I urge every Virginian to make proper preparations as this storm moves in and brings snow, potentially life-threatening low temperatures and high winds,” McAuliffe said in a news release. “Unfortunately, injuries and even deaths from hypothermia, heart attack, stroke and traffic crashes are all too common during the winter storms of this type. Don’t travel unnecessarily, and be prepared to stay where you are until conditions improve.”
Information on storm preparedness is available from Ready Virginia, a program managed by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
McAuliffe’s office recommends drivers keep an emergency winter kit in their vehicles. It should include bottled water, non-perishable foods, bags of sand or cat litter for traction, hats, gloves, blankets and cell phone chargers. A home kit with three days food and water, a battery-powered and/or hand-crank radio, a first-aid kit, necessary medications, blankets and warm clothing and pet items is also recommended.
Other safety recommendations include:
- Keep space heaters at least three feet from other objects. Never leave space heaters unattended.
- In case of power outages, use flashlights instead of candles for light.
- Charge mobile devices.
- Use generators only outdoors and only in well ventilated areas. Follow manufacturer’s instructions exactly.
- Bring pets inside, and make sure outdoor animals have adequate shelter, unfrozen water and food.
- Driving is most dangerous when the temperature is at or under 32° F. If the road is wet, patches of ice are possible, especially on bridges and curves. Avoid using cruise control in winter weather conditions.
- Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles and snowplows. Don’t pass a snowplow or spreader.
- Motorists who must travel should check current weather, road conditions and traffic cameras before traveling at www.511Virginia.org or by calling 511 or using the free 511 mobile app.
- If your household includes someone with special needs (has a disability, requires electricity to operate home medical equipment, needs to go to dialysis, etc.), call your local emergency manager to let them know where you live and what you will need during an emergency.
