In her first test of leadership in her first week on the job, Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency Thursday ahead of a widespread winter storm that is expected to sweep through the commonwealth starting on Saturday.
Most of the state is expecting large amounts of snow, freezing rain and sleet on Saturday and Sunday and through early Monday morning in some parts of the state, followed by dangerously low temperatures that will continue through the week. Power outages and hazardous road conditions are expected.
Southwest Virginia can expect to begin to see snow, freezing rain and sleet. Precipitation is expected to end in Southwest Virginia late Sunday night. Southside Virginia can expect to begin to see the wintry mix later Saturday afternoon into the evening, and precipitation is expected to end early Monday morning.
“If the storm comes in as predicted, it will take time for roads to be cleared and passable. So I am asking all Virginians to spend this time getting prepared for this incoming storm and then I am asking all Virginians to stay off the roads as of Saturday night, all day Sunday through Monday morning,” Spanberger said.
Regional emergency management offices in Southwest Virginia are working closely with local emergency managers and town officials to prepare and respond to the storm, said John Scrivani, the state coordinator of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
Spanberger noted that, depending on the impacts of the storm, her administration may need to move forward with a request for an emergency declaration through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Snowfall totals may top 10 inches in parts of Northern Virginia, with several inches of snow and sleet topped by ice possible in most of the rest of the commonwealth. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s as precipitation falls, so accumulations will be immediate on all surfaces, and extremely cold Arctic air will follow the storm, with below-zero to single-digit lows possible over much of Virginia by Tuesday morning.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has begun pretreating main roadways with a brine solution as of Thursday. The agency will also have resources positioned across the state to clear snow, address icy conditions and clear disabled vehicles and obstructed roadways.
Virginia National Guard troops will be mobilized to assist in clearing debris and responding to emergencies.
“This is going to be a significant and dangerous storm,” Scrivani said.
He urged Virginians to listen to local government officials and agencies for updates on the storm and for citizens to activate emergency alerts on their mobile devices.
“Please, check on your neighbors, especially those that are elderly or have special needs,” he said.
Cardinal weather journalist Kevin Myatt contributed to this report. Sign up for his weekly newsletter: