Virginia wakes under a gray, unsettled sky this morning as fresh flakes drift across Blacksburg and soft powder clings to rooftops along the New River Valley. Pavement looks wet but turns slick in shaded areas, marking the start of a high-impact December Weather Alert that will affect travel today and usher in dangerous cold by Sunday.
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 4 p.m., and snow continues through early afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, 1 to 3 inches are expected across Montgomery, Pulaski, Giles, Bland, and Wythe counties—especially north and west of I-81. Even modest accumulation will create slippery stretches during the midday commute. Drivers should slow well before ramps, watch bridges for flash-freeze conditions, and expect heavier bursts between late morning and early afternoon.
Skies turn partly cloudy later today as snow tapers, but cold air lingers. Saturday brings a calmer break with highs in the mid-40s, though developing clouds Saturday night signal a renewed snow chance, especially in higher terrain where moisture meets colder northwest flow.
Sunday delivers the harshest turn. Winds may gust over 35 mph, pushing wind chills toward zero by evening. Meteorologists warn this is an early sign of deeper arctic air spreading across the East. Any lingering moisture on sidewalks or rural roads could freeze fast as temperatures dip into the single digits.
Five-Day Outlook:
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, high 44; clouds increase late.
• Sunday: Slight chance of snow before 9 a.m.; windy and frigid, high 28.
• Monday: Sunny, high 29.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high 42.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny, high 47.
