Blacksburg, Virginia – A prolonged winter weather event is underway across southwest Virginia, northwest North Carolina, and southeast West Virginia, bringing accumulating snow, gusty winds, and dangerous cold through Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, snow began this morning in the mountains and will spread east into the Piedmont by this afternoon. Snowfall is expected to continue into Saturday night, tapering early Sunday morning.
Total snow accumulations are forecast to reach 4 to 8 inches south of U.S. Route 460, especially near the North Carolina–Virginia border, with 1 to 4 inches north of Route 460. The highest totals are expected in the higher elevations of southwest Virginia and northwest North Carolina.
Travel impacts are likely to worsen as snowfall increases. Untreated roads, bridges, and overpasses may become slick and hazardous, particularly along Interstate 81, U.S. Route 460, U.S. Route 52, and mountain roadways. Visibility may be reduced at times due to falling snow.
Conditions are expected to become more dangerous late Saturday night into Sunday as northwest winds strengthen, producing blowing and drifting snow. Gusts could reach up to 60 mph along the southern Blue Ridge, making travel difficult for high-profile vehicles and potentially causing isolated power outages due to downed tree limbs.
In addition to snow and wind, extreme cold will develop this weekend. Wind chill values are forecast to drop to 20 degrees below zero in the mountains and near or below zero in the Piedmont, with the coldest readings expected by Sunday morning. These conditions raise the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
The National Weather Service urges residents to avoid unnecessary travel, prepare emergency kits, and dress in layers if outdoors. Pets should be brought indoors, and residents should check on vulnerable neighbors.
Students, weekend travelers, and mountain residents should closely monitor forecast updates as conditions evolve through the weekend.
