Richmond, Virginia – Virginia is heading into a prolonged stretch of dangerous winter cold as Arctic air settles in and shows little sign of backing off through early to mid-February. This weekend marks a turning point, with temperatures plunging statewide and overnight lows dipping sharply, including readings well below freezing across central and northern Virginia.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the pattern developing from late January into mid-February strongly favors much colder than normal conditions across the Mid-Atlantic. This same Arctic air mass is driving extreme cold deep into the central U.S., with parts of Minnesota nearing minus 60 degrees, while its southern reach extends into the Southeast and even South Texas at times.
For Virginia, the cold brings multiple hazards. Snow, sleet, and freezing rain are possible this weekend, particularly across central and eastern sections of the state, creating slick travel on I-95, I-64, I-81, and secondary roads. Temperatures Saturday morning are expected to bottom out near minus 7 degrees in some colder pockets, not accounting for wind chill, raising concerns for frozen pipes, vehicle failures, and increased heating demand.
The key question is when relief arrives. Current signals suggest only brief moderation at times, with no sustained warm-up likely before mid-February. Residents are urged to limit outdoor exposure, protect plumbing, prepare vehicles for extreme cold, and monitor updates as additional winter advisories and cold alerts may be issued.
