Winter weather advisory issued for parts of Virginia; snow, ice expected

A winter weather advisory has been issued for Augusta County running from 7 a.m. on Sunday to 1 a.m. on Monday.

The advisory was issued for a large area including northwest and western Virginia, north central Maryland and West Virginia.

The National Weather Service is predicting mixed precipitation in the multi-state region with up to one inch of snow and one tenth of an inch of ice accumulation possible.

AccuWeather expert: ‘It’s a close call in the Shenandoah Valley’

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The Shenandoah Valley could receive rain or sleet tomorrow morning depending on the temperature when the precipitation arrives.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Thomas Kines believes temperatures will be very close to 32 degrees.

“It’s probably in the form of rain and perhaps sleet, but if the temperature is below 32, watch out for freezing rain,” Kines told AFP. “Temperatures tonight will be below freezing so the ground will be cold tomorrow morning.”

By afternoon, Kines predicts temperatures will rise slightly above the freezing mark ending the threat of ice in the Waynesboro area. However, areas north and west could see a longer period of ice.

“The farther east one is from the Shenandoah Valley the less chance there is of any icing,” he said. “In fact, east of Route 15 probably will not see any rain until later Sunday.

“In short, it’s a close call in the Shenandoah Valley,” Kines said. “The mountains to the west and perhaps places farther north have the best chance of slick travel. Farther east little to no threat.”

Temperatures early next week rise into the 50s and 60s, but colder weather will return Thursday into the weekend.

Winter weather advisory: What it means

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Roads, especially bridges and overpasses, may become slick and hazardous. The combination of snow and ice could result in sporadic power outages.

The precipitation should transition to rain at elevations below 2,000 feet on Sunday afternoon. In areas above 2,000 feet, freezing rain or drizzle may persist through Sunday night. The highest ice accumulation will be at elevations about 2,500 feet with a glaze of ice possible near the Valley floor.

Drivers are recommended to slow down and use caution while traveling. Those in the advisory area are also warned to watch your step on stairs, sidewalks and driveways. The surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of fall and injury.

For the latest road conditions, call 511.