Jan. 10—BLUEFIELD — Meteorologists have been watching an advancing weather system bringing more snow to a region that was still working Thursday to recover from a previous winter storm that covered roadways and cut power to thousands of people.
National Weather Service offices in Blacksburg, Va. have been monitoring a winter storm system which has been moving east to West Virginia and Virginia. Just before 2 p.m. Thursday, the weather service issued a winter weather advisory covering the West Virginia counties of Mercer, Summers, Monroe and Greenbrier as well as the Virginia counties of Tazewell, Bland, Giles and Wythe.
This winter weather advisory starts at 1 p.m. today and concludes at 7 a.m. Saturday. Roads, bridges and overpasses could become slick and hazardous, according to the weather service. The conditions could impact people driving home this evening.
Snow should start moving in after 3 p.m. today, said meteorologist Robert Stonefield at the weather service’s Blacksburg, Va. office.
“Accumulations will start out light and it’s going to be a very dry snow, very cold and dry,” he said. “It’s going to be a quick hitter, an overnight snow storm.”
Total snowfall between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening could be 3 to 4 inches with up to 6 inches in some spots, Stonefield said.
The latest road conditions in West Virginia and Virginia can be found by calling 511.
Another winter weather advisory issued Thursday by the National Weather Service in Charleston included Raleigh County as well as the counties of Fayette, McDowell and Wyoming.
It also starts at 1 p.m. today and continues until 7 p.m. Saturday. Slippery roads could hamper today’s evening commute.
Meteorologist Andy Roche with the weather service’s Charleston office said snow could start falling in the Raleigh County area and the rest of the office’s forecast zone between noon and 2 p.m., then continue through Saturday. Between 2 to 4 inches of snow could arrive.
“That’s on top of what’s already fallen,” he said.
While forecasters were watching the approaching storm, preparations were being made locally.
In the city of Bluefield, officials were asking all residents to ensure that their streets remain clear so the Bluefield Public Works team can effectively carry out their duties. Vehicles that are abandoned, illegally parked, or blocking the roadway will be towed to ensure the safety and efficiency of snow removal and other essential services, the city said.
Snowplow crews in Virginia and West Virginia were preparing for the new snowfall. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) was urging motorists to continue to monitor conditions and plan travel around the weather to stay safe and avoid potential delays.
As overnight temperatures drop, roads in both states are expected to refreeze, which may contribute to icy roads and hazardous driving conditions even after the precipitation ends.
For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623). For more about winter weather travel, visit VDOT’s weather page.
In West Virginia, current road conditions can be found by going to the WV 511 website at http://wv511.org or by dialing 511.
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com