Winter Storm Advisories, Warnings Issued For Parts Of VA: Full Forecast

Updated at 4:47 p.m. Friday

VIRGINIA — As a winter storm approaches this weekend, parts of Virginia are under a winter storm warning, watch or advisory. Significant snowfall is anticipated in many parts of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, but much of Northern Virginia could escape the winter storm's severity.

The National Weather Service issued the warning for areas of Virginia near the mountains like Augusta, Nelson, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Warren and Clarke from Saturday morning to 7 p.m. Saturday.

The warning means forecasters expect heavy mixed precipitation with 1 to 3 inches of snow accumulation as well as ice accumulation for Augusta and Nelson and 2 to 5 inches of snow as well as ice accumulation for others.

Other areas of the region are under a winter storm advisory. In Fairfax County, central, northwest and southeast Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park, Stafford, Spotsylvania and eastern Loudoun counties, the advisory from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday calls for mixed precipitation and light glaze of ice.

In western Loudoun, Albemarle, Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Orange, Culpeper and Fauquier, snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is expected along with ice. The advisory is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Areas away from the mountains will see less of a winter storm threat, the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang predicts. Forecasters believe areas closer to DC — like Arlington, Alexandria and much of Fairfax and Prince William counties — could see a coating of snow but a quick transition to sleet and rain. In western Fairfax, Prince William and much of Loudoun County, slick areas can't be ruled out, but a transition from snow to sleet and rain is expected. A coating to 2 inches is expected in these areas.

Forecasters say most areas of the region will only see snow and sleet Saturday morning, which will turn to rain in the afternoon.

"While some slick spots are possible, the snow should have limited impact on roads because temperatures will be at or above freezing, except well north and west of the District where heavier snow and icy travel is possible," the Capital Weather Gang says.

While significant snowfall may miss DC, AccuWeather anticipates a nor'easter affecting much of the Northeast. In the DC area along the I-95 corridor, forecasters believe the storm will "be struggling in strength, resulting in more rain than snow. But AccuWeather says the storm will strengthen as it moves to the Mid-Atlantic coast from Saturday to Sunday, resulting in snow from the central Appalachian Mountains to New England.

The heaviest snow could hit northeastern Pennsylvania to central and southern New England, with as much as almost a foot of snow. Northern West Virginia, western Maryland, southwestern Pennsylvania in higher terrains, middle and lower Hudson Valley and central and southern New England could see between 6 to 12 inches of snow.

Travel in the affected areas of the nor'easter could become hazardous as hourly snowfall could top an inch per hour. Drivers on the roads during the storm's peak could become stranded or stuck, forecasters warn.

AAA expects to see an increase in emergency roadside service calls during the winter storm. The most common causes of these calls are vehicles slipping off the roads, flat tires and dead batteries.

"Ice and snow can cause significant safety problems by reducing visibility and making it difficult to maneuver or stop," said Scott France, AAA's car care manager. "It’s important for drivers to be cautious and take it slow if they have to get out on the roads."

For driving during a winter storm, AAA recommends:

• Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in winter conditions, not everyone else can. Stay home until crews can properly clear roadways.
• Check road conditions. Before you leave, assess the conditions of roads along your route. see Virginia 511 or call 511.
• Don’t continue at the same speed you would be traveling in clear, dry conditions -Rain, snow and ice can dramatically reduce your tires’ traction. Drivers should slow down to regain the traction that is lost due to the weather.
• Know your brakes -Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t brake and turn at the same time -Asking your vehicle to do two things at a time makes it more likely that your tires will lose traction. Brake first, then turn, then accelerate.
• Don’t follow behind other vehicles as closely as you would when driving in clear, dry conditions -Slick roads means your vehicle cannot slow down as quickly. Increase following distances to 8 seconds or more and always keep open space to at least one side of your vehicle, in case you need to make an emergency lane change maneuver.
• Don’t be rough with your steering, acceleration and braking - If you are not gentle with steering, acceleration and braking, your vehicle’s balance can be negatively affected, increasing the chance of experiencing a skid. Always steer, accelerate and brake smoothly.
• Don’t hit the brakes if you start to skid - Slamming on the brakes can make the skid even worse. If you are approaching a patch of ice, brake during your approach. Applying pressure to your brakes while on the ice will only throw you into a skid. If you do start to skid, ease off of the accelerator or brake and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it -There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it. Be aware of traffic ahead and slow down even more if you start to see brake lights or fish tailing cars.