A powerful winter storm is set to impact central and eastern Virginia starting late Sunday, January 5, 2025, and continue through Monday, January 6, bringing dangerous travel conditions and potential power outages across the region. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a Winter Storm Warning will take effect at 4 p.m. Sunday and remain until 7 a.m. Tuesday. The storm is expected to deliver snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 6 inches, depending on the exact location, with ice making conditions even more treacherous.
Forecasters anticipate the storm will begin with snow on Sunday evening, transitioning to sleet and freezing rain overnight. Some areas may experience as much as two-tenths of an inch of ice, which could cause significant disruptions to travel. Major routes such as I-64 and Route 60 could become hazardous, with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) advising travelers to prepare for delays and slippery conditions.
“Temperatures will remain below freezing, making untreated roads especially dangerous,” said meteorologists at the NWS. They urge residents to stay off the roads if possible and monitor local updates for weather forecasts and road conditions. Those who must travel should keep emergency supplies, including food, water, and blankets, in their vehicles.
The weather forecast indicates the storm will intensify overnight, with snow beginning to mix with sleet by late Sunday and potentially turning to rain by Monday morning. “Any snow accumulation is likely to be compacted by freezing rain, creating a slushy, icy mess for morning commuters,” noted meteorologists at WWBT. By midday Monday, some areas might see brief lulls in precipitation, but warnings remain high for hazardous road conditions.
VDOT is taking proactive steps to mitigate the storm's impact by pretreating roads across the commonwealth. Crews are using brine—a mix of salt and water—to prevent ice from bonding to the pavement. Depending on local conditions, some areas might not receive pretreatment if rain is anticipated before the snow starts.
The snow and sleet accumulation forecasts are as varied as the storm itself. Reports suggest regions north of Richmond could see anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of snow, whereas southern areas might only receive 1 to 3 inches due to the warmer air pushing through. “It all depends on the storm's path,” explained meteorologists from CBS 6. “A slight shift could mean more or less snow for various areas.”
By late Monday afternoon, as the storm system moves eastward, temperatures are expected to drop quickly, turning any untreated surfaces icy overnight. The aftermath of the storm could leave Virginia residents dealing with difficult travel for days, as temperatures remain cold and the potential for additional freezing precipitation hovers. “Despite some sunny weather later this week, anything not cleared off the roads will likely freeze again each night,” said forecasters.
Local authorities are urging residents to stay up-to-date with the latest weather advisories and to reach out to VDOT's customer service for real-time updates on road conditions. VDOT has also activated its 511 mobile app for convenience, featuring traffic information, construction updates, and access to live traffic cameras.
Safety remains the top priority for all Virginians during this winter storm. With significant accumulations of snow and ice expected, the best advice is to avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve on Tuesday.