First Alert Weather Days: Snow likely Saturday and Sunday

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First Alert Weather Days: Snow likely Saturday and Sunday

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – With snow likely this weekend, Saturday and Sunday are First Alert Weather Days.

Any additional snow, even small, could have big impacts. Many side streets and sidewalks will still be snow and ice covered from this past weekend’s storm. While the snow could give traction initially, any snow will be compacted down when you drive over it, leading to more ice.

WINTER STORM HEADLINES:

This will be a fluffy snow, no ice this go around. Most of the snow falls during the day Saturday into Saturday night and much of Sunday is now looking dry. We are closely monitoring the potential for a sharp cutoff in snow totals near or just north of RVA.(WWBT)

TIMING:

We could start to see flurries or light snow showers as early as Friday night.

Much of the snow arrives on Saturday and continues into Saturday night before ending very early Sunday morning.

For many of us, most of Sunday will end up being dry. Just blustery and bitterly cold with wind chills potentially dipping below zero on Sunday morning.

IMPACT:

Higher amounts in our southern VA counties. Much less the farther north. We will fine tune this forecast, check back for updates!(maxuser | WWBT)

There will likely be a sharp cutoff in the snowfall near or just north of RVA. NOVA and the DC Metro have a high chance of seeing no snow.

Our highest snow totals should be in our southernmost counties, along the North Carolina/Virginia state line. Highest totals in the region will likely be in the Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and blizzard conditions could occur there for a time on Saturday night into Sunday morning.

With very cold air and ice still on the ground from last week, any snow that falls will efficiently stick.

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for parts of the area beginning Friday night:

All counties in blue will be in the Watch from late Friday night through Sunday afternoon.(maxuser | NWS)

Gusty northeasterly winds 30-40mph, stronger winds at the coast could top 50 mph. Coastal flooding will be a concern.

Flooding and blowing snow possible(WWBT)

With the strong winds Saturday night into Sunday, that will create dangerous wind chill values. We have the low Saturday night falling to 14°. Combine that with gusty winds our wind chill values could drop as low as -10°. For that reason, our entire area will be in an Extreme Cold Watch beginning Saturday evening through Sunday morning:

Dangerously cold wind values as low as -10° late Saturday through Sunday morning.(maxuser | NWS)

SETUP:

At this time, the storm looks to be snow and no ice. We are looking at dry and fluffy snow. The coastal storm is expected to form off the coast of Georgia and slide north to the Mid-Atlantic. Fueled by the difference in cold arctic air onshore and the relatively warm air over the ocean. The storm could turn into what’s called a Nor’easter because it brings in strong winds out of the NE. With the strong winds Saturday,