Charlottesville, Virginia – Drivers across central Virginia have only a few hours before snow and freezing rain move in by 4 p.m., threatening slick roads through the Tuesday morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 4 p.m. Monday until 7 a.m. Tuesday for Albemarle, Greene, Madison and Orange counties. Forecasters expect up to 1 inch of snow and sleet, along with ice accumulations up to one tenth of an inch. Ridge tops could see the highest totals.
Snow will develop late Monday afternoon, first coating higher elevations before spreading into Charlottesville and surrounding communities. Accumulation may remain limited in lower elevations early on, but precipitation will transition to sleet and primarily freezing rain this evening. Ice could form on bridges and overpasses along Interstate 64, U.S. 29 and Route 33, increasing the risk of spinouts overnight.
Motorists should reduce speed, allow extra stopping distance and monitor 511 for updated road conditions. Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing overnight, allowing precipitation to change to rain before tapering off Tuesday morning. Additional advisories could follow if ice totals trend higher.
