The Tennessee Valley faces further challenges as snow complicates recovery efforts following recent deadly flooding. Heavy snow is anticipated to disrupt travel in the mid-Atlantic region, with Norfolk, Virginia, bracing for its most significant snowstorm since 2018.
RICHMOND, Va. – A potent winter storm that battered areas from the Plains and Midwest to the Tennessee Valley is now shifting its focus to the mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions, where snow and ice are expected to create travel disruptions throughout Wednesday.
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Winter weather advisories are active for millions of residents from Kentucky and Tennessee to the mid-Atlantic area. This includes Winter Storm Warnings for cities like Nashville in Tennessee, and Lynchburg, Richmond, and Norfolk in Virginia.
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Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the closure of state offices on Wednesday due to the winter conditions, while Nasa’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, will open late due to the weather. Similar decisions were made in Tennessee, where Governor Bill Lee stated that state offices in the West and Middle Grand divisions would remain shut on Wednesday. Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky has urged caution as the region recuperates from severe flash flooding last weekend, warning of snow and frigid temperatures persisting throughout the week.
“If you can’t heat your home by (Tuesday) afternoon, please seek shelter with a family member or friend,” Beshear advised. “If that’s not an option, head to an emergency shelter.”
Despite ongoing efforts to clear roads of mud and debris from the flooding, Department of Highways crews are now bracing for the upcoming winter weather.
Beshear noted that snowplows and salt trucks are working to maintain passable state highways, but the extreme cold may diminish their effectiveness as salt and anti-icing agents lose potency.
The mid-Atlantic region is next in line for the storm as it moves away from the Ohio Valley and Appalachians. Following a lull in snow intensity in the central Appalachians, heavy precipitation is expected to resume later on Wednesday, especially in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, as a secondary low-pressure system emerges off the East Coast.
With the winter weather threat looming, the North Carolina governor declared a state of emergency, cautioning residents about hazardous travel conditions and potential power outages. FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray reported from Boone, North Carolina, where a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until Wednesday afternoon. The area is still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene last year, with ongoing efforts to secure roads for safe passage.
Snow and freezing rain are forecasted to persist through Wednesday morning, with strong currents of ice and snow expected to sweep across the region.
Get ready, as quick bursts of snow are set to cover parts of Virginia. Beginning Wednesday afternoon and continuing into the evening, the most intense snowfall is expected to hit the mid-Atlantic region, particularly hammering the Hampton Roads area of southeastern Virginia and the far northeastern reaches of North Carolina. Remember the big snowstorm back on Jan. 5-6 in the Richmond, Virginia vicinity? Reports came in of about 6 inches of snow blanketing the area. Now, the FOX Forecast Center is projecting a strong likelihood that this upcoming storm could surpass that previous benchmark. Moving on to Norfolk, Virginia, the most significant winter storm of the season struck on Jan. 22-23, leaving 3.8 inches of snow in its wake. The FOX Forecast Center predicts not only will this upcoming storm likely break that record, but it also has the potential to become the largest one seen in the city since 2018.
But wait, there’s more – it’s not just the snow that’s causing concern. An icy swath is anticipated to sweep across parts of the Carolinas near and below the storm’s path. Southern areas of Virginia and North Carolina, including Raleigh and Charlotte, are bracing for icing conditions to develop as Wednesday progresses into Wednesday night.Stay safe as you navigate the winter conditions, as snow-covered roads are likely to lead to hazardous travel experiences while this winter storm barrels across the United States towards the East Coast.
