Winter Storm To Bring Foot Of Snow To VA: Latest Forecast

VIRGINIA — A winter storm spreading ice, snow and bitter arctic cold across the country could dump nearly a foot of snow across much of Northern Virginia starting Sunday night and wrapping up overnight Tuesday, according to forecasters. Residents are being asked to stay off the roads Sunday and Monday as snowfall ramps up.

Ice and snow has shut down airports and tied up interstates in the Midwest, and looks to bring similar travel issues to the mid-Atlantic as it moves east. Some Amtrak routes are canceled and the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., region's three airports are already preparing for flight cancelations with change fees waived in many cases.

A winter storm warning for Northern Virginia goes into effect at 10 p.m. Sunday, and runs through 1 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Related: Snowstorm Alters Work Schedule For DC-Area Federal Employees

The Virginia Department of Transportation asks that residents be off the roads by Sunday afternoon.

Virginia State Police said more crashes were reported Sunday afternoon as the winter storm has entered the Commonwealth. Between noon and 3:30 p.m. Virginia State Police investigated 85 crashes (three injury crashes) in the Wytheville District, which handles southwest Virginia. In the Salem district, troopers have investigated 51 crashes (four injury crashes).

There have been no fatal crashes to date.

Heavy mixed precipitation is expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 5 and 10 inches, with amounts of up to 12 inches are possible in isolated spots if heavy banding sets up in this area, the NWS said. Ice accumulations of a trace possible.

The highest snowfall rates will be late Sunday night into early Monday morning. Snow may mix with sleet and perhaps some freezing rain Monday morning into the afternoon, especially right along the Interstate 66 corridor. A lull in precipitation will occur sometime during the
afternoon, the weather service said.

"Conditions will rapidly deteriorate tonight with untreated and unplowed roads becoming impassable for the Monday morning and evening commutes," the National Weather Service said. "During the times of heaviest snowfall, even primary roads may be impassable.

Snowfall rates between 1 to 3 inches per hour are possible between midnight and mid-morning Monday. A second round of heavy snow is likely Monday evening before precipitation ends Monday night.

VDOT Northern Virginia District crews are staging and ready for heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, a news release said. Crews pretreated interstates, primaries, and high-volume secondary roads, along with bridges, ramps, and overpasses with salt brine Saturday.

Monitor road conditions on 511.vdot.virginia.gov or the free mobile app, or call 511 from any phone in Virginia. Follow @vadotnova and @NWS_BaltWash for real-time updates.

Higher elevations in Virginia are the most likely to see snow totals of 15 inches, AccuWeather said.

“AccuWeather snow experts are increasingly concerned about dangerous travel impacts from heavy snow across parts of the mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C., and the Baltimore metropolitan areas," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter.

Slippery conditions can be expected as the storm moves into the area, disrupting travel for many across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic from late Sunday through Monday.

Amtrak has canceled some train routes between Washington, D.C., and Boston from Sunday to Tuesday, according to its website.

The four major airlines serving Baltimore, DC and Northern Virginia — American, Delta, Southwest and United — are waiving change fees for flights affected by the winter storm.

Virginia State Police ask residents to avoid driving during the storm, if possible. If you must be on the road during the storm:

• Use headlights. Increasing your visibility helps you to avoid slick and dangerous spots on the road, as well as helps other drivers see you better.
• Slow your speed and drive for conditions, which gives you more time to safely react and avoid a crash. Drive your vehicle based on your ability to properly maintain control of your vehicle.
• Don’t tailgate. You need increased stopping distance on slick road surfaces. Give yourself more space between vehicles traveling ahead of you to avoid rear end collisions.
• Buckle up. Most crashes that occur during winter weather are caused by vehicles sliding into guardrails, off the road or other vehicles. Wearing your seat belt protects you from being thrown around the inside of your vehicle and suffering serious injury in a crash.
• Check your vehicle. Make sure it is in good working order for the conditions. Fill up the gas tank in advance. Check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid, tire tread, battery life, etc.
• Don’t leave home without a window scraper, blanket, bottled water, snack, cell phone charger and flashlight.

Here's the latest Northern Virginia forecast from the National Weather Service:

Sunday Night: Snow, mainly after midnight. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 24. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Monday: Snow. High near 28. East wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Monday Night: Snow, mainly before 10pm. Low around 19. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. Breezy, with a northwest wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.