VA Dept of Forestry Shifts Gears

The Virginia Department of Forestry has shifted gears from suppressing wildfires only 24 hrs ago we are now fully engaged in supporting the state of emergency declared by Governor McAuliffe.     Beginning at 0700 tomorrow Forestry will have someone at the ESF 4 "desk" at the State EOC along with the Dept of Fire Programs. The HQ dispatch center will also be available to support any requests from localities.      Being able to move from wildfire protection and suppression to assisting during a winter storm is a trademark of our capabilities. Both from our equipment and also our personnel.

Summary

 A strong arctic front began impacting Virginia during the afternoon on Saturday, February 14, bringing strong winds, light snowfall, freezing temperatures, and dangerously low wind chill values.  Numerous power outages were reported throughout the Commonwealth, as heavy winds caused downed trees and power lines.  Another approaching cold front has the potential to bring significant snow accumulation to Virginia tonight and Tuesday.  Winter Storm Warnings are in effect throughout all of Virginia through noon on Tuesday.  Forecast for total snowfall: 6 to 12 inches in Southwest Virginia; 8 to 12 inches in West Central Virginia; 4 to 8 inches in Northwest and Northern Virginia; and 6 to 10 inches in Central and Eastern Virginia.  Locally higher amounts are possible throughout the Commonwealth.   

State Actions

·         Governor McAuliffe declared a state of emergency on February 16, 2015 at 1500.

Weather Forecast

·         Southwest/West Central Virginia (NWS Morristown, NWS Blacksburg)

Today/Tonight: Snow and sleet are expected, becoming all snow after 7 pm.  Accumulations of 3-9 inches are possible.  Temperatures will fall to 16 degrees with southeast winds between 5-10 mph. 

Tomorrow: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 7 am.  Mostly cloudy with temperatures around 23 degrees.  West wind 3-10 mph. 

·         Northwest/Northern Virginia (NWS Sterling)

Today/Tonight: Snow.  Low temperatures around 14 degrees with southeast winds around 6 mph. Accumulations of 5-9 inches are possible.

Tonight/Tomorrow: A chance of snow before noon.  Partly sunny with a high near 34 degrees.  Light and variable wind.   

·         Central/Eastern Virginia (NWS Wakefield)

Today/Tonight: Snow becoming heavy at times.  The snow may change over to sleet between 1 am and 4 am in the southeastern region of the state.  Low temperatures around 18 with southeast winds around 5-7 mph.  Accumulations of 5-9 inches are possible.

Tonight/Tomorrow: Chance of snow is 60%, mainly before 7 am.  High temperatures will be near 29 with light and variable winds.  Additional snow accumulations of less than a half inch possible.