NWS warns winter storm moving toward Shenandoah Valley to hit Sunday

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE  

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC  
243 PM EDT SAT MAR 15 2014  
  
 
AUGUSTA-ROCKINGHAM-NELSON-ALBEMARLE-GREENE-WESTERN HIGHLAND-  
EASTERN HIGHLAND-WESTERN PENDLETON-EASTERN PENDLETON-  
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...STAUNTON...WAYNESBORO...HARRISONBURG...  
CHARLOTTESVILLE...HIGHTOWN...MONTEREY...CIRCLEVILLE...FRANKLIN  243 PM EDT SAT MAR 15 2014  
  
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM SUNDAY TO 2 PM EDT  
MONDAY...  
  
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS  
ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2  
PM SUNDAY TO 2 PM EDT MONDAY.  
  
* PRECIPITATION TYPE...SNOW  
  
* ACCUMULATIONS...6 TO 12 INCHES WITH THE HIGHEST ACROSS THE  
  MOUNTAINS ABOVE 2000 FEET.   
  
* TIMING...PRECIPITATION MAY START OFF AS RAIN OR RAIN AND SNOW  
  MIXED ACROSS THE VALLEYS SUNDAY AFTERNOON. ANY MIXED  
  PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE TO ALL SNOW AFTER SUNSET WITH THE  
  HEAVIEST SNOW FALLING LATE SUNDAY EVENING INTO EARLY MONDAY  
  MORNING.  
  
* TEMPERATURES...LOWER TO MIDDLE 40S EARLY SUNDAY  
  AFTERNOON...DROPPING INTO THE LOWER TO MIDDLE 20S SUNDAY NIGHT.  
  HIGHS MONDAY WILL BE IN THE LOWER 30S.   
  
* WINDS...NORTHEAST AROUND 10 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 MPH.   
  
* IMPACTS...ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY. TRAVEL  
  WILL BECOME DANGEROUS...ESPECIALLY AFTER SUNSET SUNDAY WHEN  
  TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW FREEZING. DANGEROUS TRAVEL WILL CONTINUE  
  THROUGH THE MORNING RUSH MONDAY INTO MONDAY AFTERNOON.   
  
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...  
  
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER  
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST  
THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF  
YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT... FOOD...AND WATER IN  
YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.  

Sleet, ice, snow in forecast for Hot Springs, Bath County from National Weather Service

The National Weather Service forecast is out with a winter storm warning for Sunday's expected wintry weather at The Homestead in Hot Springs.

The weather has been the talk of those attending this year's Republican Advance because the big Gala is tonight. Some have made reservations for Sunday night in anticipation of the predicted snow and ice while others have decided to check out Saturday before it hits.

I heard it more than once yesterday: plan to check out Saturday or Monday because Sunday's travel conditions will likely be treacherous on these hilly, mountainous roads.

So here it is at 6:00 Saturday morning ... the latest from the National Weather Service:

Winter Storm Warning - Hazardous Weather Outlook

Today: Mostly cloudy this morning...then becoming partly sunny. Much cooler. Near steady temperature in the upper 30s. North winds around 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow after midnight. Little or no snow accumulation. Lows in the upper 20s. North winds around 10 mph in the evening...becoming light and variable. Chance of snow 50 percent.

Sunday: Snow and sleet in the morning...then freezing rain and sleet in the afternoon. Snow and sleet accumulation around an inch. Ice accumulation of up to one quarter of an inch. Near steady temperature in the upper 20s. Light and variable winds. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Sunday Night: Freezing rain in the evening...then freezing rain and rain after midnight. Lows in the upper 20s. Light and variable winds. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Monday: Rain and freezing rain in the morning...then rain likely in the afternoon. Not as cool with highs in the lower 40s. West winds around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow. Lows around 30. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Check out the entire seven-day forecast here. Be safe out there.