A winter storm is looming over the mid-Atlantic region, bringing forecasts of substantial snowfall and ice, which has led to warnings about possible power outages. Travel conditions are expected to become hazardous across Virginia and West Virginia from Tuesday into early Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
To prepare for the impending storm, Virginia’s Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency on Monday. This declaration allows state agencies to offer support to local governments. In response to the weather threats, schools and government offices in Virginia closed on Tuesday.
In northern and central Virginia and parts of eastern West Virginia, snowfall could reach as much as 10 inches (25.4 centimeters). Ice accumulation predictions vary, with a light glaze expected in Kentucky and West Virginia to about half an inch (1.3 centimeters) in the Roanoke Valley of southwest Virginia. The weather service cautioned that areas with heavier ice could experience power outages and damage to trees.
The weather service in Blacksburg, Virginia, humorously reminded residents that winter is far from over, as snow mixed with sleet began falling into western Virginia and parts of North Carolina early Tuesday. Road conditions are predicted to deteriorate quickly, with freezing rain expected to arrive in the afternoon.
Appalachian Power, which provides services to one million customers across West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee, has requested assistance from 700 additional workers from nearby utilities to address potential issues arising from the storm.
Meanwhile, in East Tennessee, the risk of flooding is expected to rise throughout the week, with rainfall accumulation potentially reaching up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) by Sunday. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is actively working on strategies to manage the flood risk, which includes reducing lake levels and emptying storage reservoirs.
In northern Virginia, sections of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, a scenic highway that runs through wooded areas along the Potomac River, were closed due to safety concerns. This parkway typically faces significant challenges during winter storms, often becoming blocked by stranded vehicles that hinder snow-clearing efforts.
Winter storm warnings have been issued from Kentucky to southern New Jersey, accompanied by flood watches for various areas across Kentucky, Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and northern Georgia. As temperatures are predicted to rise by Wednesday afternoon, the wintry mix of snow and ice is expected to transition to rain.
Additionally, a separate storm system is anticipated to bring heavy snowfall from Kansas and Missouri to the Great Lakes on Wednesday, as weather forecasts suggest an Arctic air mass delivering bitterly cold temperatures stretching from Portland, Oregon, to the Great Lakes.
In Detroit, authorities reported the tragic deaths of two children under the age of 10, likely due to cold exposure, after they were found with other family members in a van parked in a casino lot. It appears that the family may have been living in the vehicle.
Oregon’s Multnomah County officials, who had already confirmed a hypothermia-related death recently, announced that three severe weather shelters would be opened in the Portland area in response to the state of emergency. These shelters will provide over 230 beds, while outreach programs are set to distribute supplies such as warm clothing, blankets, and hand warmers to an estimated 4,000 homeless individuals in the metro area.
Morning temperatures were projected to drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 6.7 Celsius) through Wednesday, with wind chills making it feel even colder, possibly below 10 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 17 Celsius). The weather service in Portland warned of freezing rain from Wednesday night through Thursday night, with another storm possibly delivering additional precipitation over the weekend.
Portland has faced significant challenges with severe winter weather in recent years, as the city is more accustomed to rain and lacks sufficient resources for effective snow and ice management. This lack of preparedness has historically resulted in fatalities during harsh winter conditions.
Meanwhile, Butte, Montana, is bracing for extreme cold with temperatures expected to plummet to minus 33 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 36 degrees Celsius). Local homeless advocates are mobilizing resources to provide essentials like sleeping bags, jackets, and mittens to those in need.
In parallel with winter storms, California is set to experience an atmospheric river beginning Thursday, which is forecast to unleash heavy rainfall along the coast and into central valleys, accompanied by several feet of snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains through Saturday.
