Bluefield, West Virginia – Snow-covered roads and 50 mph wind gusts could snarl travel across parts of southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia through 1 a.m. Tuesday, with conditions deteriorating quickly Sunday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, a strengthening coastal storm tracking north along the East Coast will continue to spread heavy snow into Tazewell County in Virginia and Mercer and Summers counties in West Virginia. An additional 3 to 5 inches of snow is expected before the system pulls away early Tuesday.
Temperatures will fall into the teens overnight, allowing snow to stick to untreated roads and bridges. Wind chills are forecast to dip near zero late Sunday night into Monday. Blowing snow may reduce visibility at times along U.S. 460, Interstate 77 near Bluefield and Route 19 toward Hinton, creating hazardous conditions for both the Monday morning and evening commutes.
Gusty winds could snap tree limbs and cause isolated power outages, especially in higher elevations around Flat Top and Hix.
Officials urge drivers to delay non-essential travel. If travel is unavoidable, carry food, water, blankets and a charged phone, and check 511 for real-time road conditions. The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 1 a.m. Tuesday, and additional advisories could be issued if snowfall rates intensify.
