The National Weather Service in Wakefield provided an updated forecast for the winter storm hitting Hampton Roads and the Peninsula Thursday afternoon.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Peninsula from 3 p.m. Thursday through Friday at 7 a.m.
RELATED STORY: Like snow? Weather forecast predicts a few inches on Thursday
Ryan Rogers, meteorologist at the NWS Wakefield office, said temperatures are currently in the low to mid-40s and starting around 3 to 4 p.m. it will begin to rain.
Snow starts from sunset to 8 p.m. the latest, with wind gusts ranging from 15 to 25 mph starting around 8 to 9 p.m.
Rogers said those living closer to the coast might have longer periods of rain before it changes to snow.
“It will kinda vary a bit,” he said about the precipitation start times on the Peninsula. “Once it starts raining, it will cool the air.”
The rain will evaporate, cooling the dry air and causing temperatures to change quickly, he added.
With wind chill, temperatures are expected to be in the mid-20s from 8 p.m. to midnight Thursday and hit the low teens around 3 or 4 a.m. through the sunrise on Friday, Rogers added.
Jeff Orrock, meteorologist-in-charge, said the snow accumulation will continue through Friday morning around 4 a.m. with the wind gusts gradually decreasing through 11 a.m.
Temperatures will range from 26 to 28 degrees and 25 mph wind gusts, Orrock said, noting the wind chill should be around 15 degrees through the afternoon hours.
Williamsburg could get anywhere from 1 to 2 inches of snow and 2 to 3 inches for Newport News and Hampton.
RELATED STORY: The area is under a winter storm warning, so here’s a list of closings, early outs and cancellations
“It’s not super cold while it’s snowing, which concerns us,” Orrock said, adding there is still uncertainty to the amount of snow accumulation affecting the Peninsula, particularly Hampton because of the storm’s path. “It’s not coming up the coast, it’s going straight out to sea.”
Friday morning temperatures on the Peninsula will range from the mid- to upper-20s for the remainder of the day with lots of sunshine, Rogers said.
He said residents should be aware of what sources they get their weather forecast and to look at the whole range of snow predictions numbers since often times it ends up being the lower number.
“It’s a constant problem when you give a range and people disregard the bottom number,” Roger said.
You can follow the National Weather Service updates on Facebook and Twitter.
Now from VDOT — have a plan before you drive:
- 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) — Report road hazards or ask road-related questions at VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by calling this statewide toll-free number.
- Twitter — Follow us @VaDOTHR and @511hamptonroads for the latest weather/traffic updates during a storm.
- For more winter driving information, click here.
Winter weather driving tips:
- Watch local forecasts and conditions before traveling.
- No matter the forecast, if there is ice or snow on the road, travel is hazardous.
- Give crews time to treat roads.
If traveling during adverse weather conditions:
- Allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
- Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you.
- Brake very lightly to keep your tires from slipping on pavement
- Do not pass snow plows.
