Virginians should prepare now for icy conditions with two storms on the way

Punxsutawney Phil may have had it right when he predicted six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day Sunday.

A busy weather pattern this week will create havoc with temperatures one day in the upper 50s and 60s, and the next day, temps may not get out of the 30s.

Freezing rain and icy roads are possible on Wednesday and Thursday, and a second storm is possible over the weekend.

Today’s weather should be mild, but “colder air will arrive later today and tonight,” according to Thomas Kines, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather.

“The storm in question will begin to affect the area if not late tomorrow then certainly tomorrow night with rain and freezing rain,” he said.

The mild weather yesterday and today elevated road temperatures, but Kines said, road temperatures will still be close to freezing tomorrow night causing concern for icy roads.

Kines said early Thursday may be a “slow go,” and “there could be enough ice to bring down tree limbs and power lines especially in the mountains.”

Temperatures are expected to climb above the freezing mark late tomorrow night or Thursday morning. By Thursday afternoon, temperatures will return to the 50s.

The worst of the storm will be over the western part of Virginia, Kines said. Most of the southern and eastern part of the state will have plain rain.

And buckle up Virginians, another system may be on the way.

“Not to sound the alarm and send people into a panic, but another storm accompanied by freezing rain is possible over the weekend,” he said.