Richmond, Virginia – A prolonged stretch of colder-than-normal weather is expected to settle across Virginia from Friday through early the following week, bringing sustained freezing conditions and limited chances for rain or snow across much of the state.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, the 8 to 14-day outlook for Jan. 30 through Feb. 5 places Virginia in a high-confidence zone for below-normal temperatures. Much of the Commonwealth falls within an 80 to 100 percent probability range for colder-than-average conditions as a broad cold pattern dominates the eastern United States.
High temperatures across Richmond, Northern Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, and Hampton Roads are expected to run several degrees below seasonal averages. Overnight lows are likely to dip below freezing on a regular basis, especially inland and across higher elevations, increasing the risk for icy roads during late night and early morning hours. The cold air mass extends from New England down through the Mid-Atlantic and coastal Carolinas into Florida, while also spreading west into Ohio and Mississippi.
Precipitation trends during this period favor drier-than-normal conditions across Virginia. The outlook shows below-normal precipitation stretching from Maine through the Mid-Atlantic, limiting the likelihood of widespread snow or rain events. While brief light snow, flurries, or isolated coastal systems remain possible, the overall pattern does not support frequent or impactful winter storms.
Above-normal precipitation chances are mainly confined to Texas, Florida, and the Pacific Northwest, while near-normal conditions are expected across parts of the southern Plains and Southwest.
Residents across Virginia should prepare for an extended period of winter cold, take steps to protect pipes and pets, and remain cautious when traveling during overnight and early morning hours. Additional outlook updates may follow as confidence increases and the period approaches.
