Norfolk, Virginia – Travel across Hampton Roads and northeast North Carolina could become dangerous or impossible beginning early Saturday as a powerful winter storm intensifies, bringing heavy snow, damaging winds, and near-whiteout conditions through Sunday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, Winter Storm Warnings are now in effect for much of southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina. The most severe conditions are expected in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Currituck County, where blizzard conditions are possible. Snow totals between 7 and 12 inches are expected in these areas, with wind gusts reaching 50 to 60 mph, creating widespread blowing and drifting snow.
Elsewhere across Hampton Roads, including Suffolk, Newport News, Hampton, and Poquoson, snowfall totals of 5 to 8 inches are likely, while York County could see 3 to 6 inches. Across northeast North Carolina, Chowan and Perquimans counties are under a Winter Storm Warning for 7 to 10 inches of snow, with gusts up to 45 mph. Bertie, Gates, Hertford, and Northampton counties can expect 5 to 8 inches.
Roads are expected to deteriorate rapidly Saturday morning, with whiteout conditions making travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening at times. Strong winds may bring down tree limbs and cause scattered power outages.
Residents are urged to avoid travel, prepare for extended disruptions, and secure emergency supplies. Warnings remain in effect through Sunday evening, and additional updates are expected as the storm evolves.
