Winter Storm Update

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Augusta, Highland, Rockingham and Shenandoah Counties effective Wednesday evening. Accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are likely above 1500 feet in elevation.

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Bath County in Virginia and Greenbrier County in West Virginia effective Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. Accumulations of 2 to 5 inches are likely above 2500 feet in elevation.

Forecasts for areas including Nelson County to the south, Winchester to the north, Culpeper to the east and along the Blue Ridge can expect anywhere from a half inch up to four inches of accumulation.

As excessive rainfall will proceed the forecast drop in temperatures to below freezing Wednesday night areas of black ice should be anticipated. Road conditions may deteriorate quickly during the overnight period.

Projected precipitation models (non-NWS) are indicating approximately an inch of snow for Roanoke, Lynchburg, Covington and Charlottesville. Lexington, Buena Vista and Waynesboro  may receive one to three inches. Staunton and Harrisonburg are projected to receive three to four inches. While Highland County may receive as much as 8 inches of snow.

Weather updates, traffic updates and closings and delays (if applicable) can be heard on Classic 96.7 3WZ, on streaming audio at 3wzfm.com and on 1450 WREL.

Winter Storm Warning

The NWS Sterling office has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the following Forecast Area beginning at 8:00 pm and continuing through to 12:00 noon Saturday.

Projected amounts vary for communities within the warning area. The Shenandoah Valley along the Interstate 81 corridor and areas to the west may receive 6 or more inches as indicated in this storm accumulation map.

A mix of rain and snow will begin soon after dark and change over to snow later this evening. The heaviest snow will fall overnight into early Saturday morning and end by mid-day.

The precipitation will likely be a heavy wet snow and with foliage still on many trees may lead to downed trees, broken limbs and possible power outages.

Snow covered roads will create hazardous travel. Some gusty winds are expected with this storm as well.