Gov. McDonnell declares State of Emergency in Virginia

~"Perfect storm" could cause huge snow totals~

Gov. Bob McDonnell declared a state of emergency Wednesday, authorizing state agencies to assist local governments responding to the winter storm that is expected to affect the Commonwealth early Friday through Saturday.

WHSV TV-3 in Harrisonburg issued the following:

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the Entire Viewing Area from Friday morning through Saturday evening. Snowfall is expected to start Friday morning. This storm is likely to produce 12 or more inches of snow with some areas possibly seeing more than 20 inches. The National Weather Service says this storm may be similar to the one that hit the area in December.

Folks in the Valley are preparing for the latest winter event.

Meanwhile, Augusta schools are open Thursday for the first time this week. With the next storm predicted to begin Friday morning, who knows when they will get another full day in?

The late news is announcing that Augusta County public schools will be closed Thursday. It looks as if these students may not see any school this week.

It's definitely still winter in the Shenandoah Valley....