In a new projection that brings to mind a rash of obscenities not fit for family consumption, the National Weather Service (NWS) is projection ice accumulations of a half-inch or more on Thursday, bringing more fears of a downed, ice-leaden trees and power lines on an area still recovering from the weekend four days earlier.
The warning is ominous:
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1039 PM EST Tue Feb 16 2021
…Significant mix of wintry precipitation possible…
.A low pressure system will bring wintry precipitation across the Mid Atlantic starting on Wednesday night. Significant amounts of snow, sleet, and freezing rain are possible. The precipitation may start as a mix of snow and sleet on Wednesday night and change over to freezing rain for most locations by Thursday. Colder air could change the precipitation back to a mix of snow and sleet by late Thursday evening.
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Including the cities of West Jefferson, Sparta, Dobson, Danbury, Eden, Yanceyville, Boone, Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, Tazewell, Marion, Bland, Pearisburg, Wytheville, Radford, Pulaski, Blacksburg, Independence, Whitetop, Troutdale, Volney, Galax, Floyd, Roanoke, Salem, Stuart, Rocky Mount, Amherst, Martinsville, Danville, Lynchburg, Appomattox, South Boston, and Keysville
1039 PM EST Tue Feb 16 2021
…WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING…
- WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations of up to two inches and ice accumulations up to a quarter of an inch possible.
- WHERE…Portions of southwest Virginia and north central and northwest North Carolina.
- WHEN…From Wednesday evening through Thursday evening.
- IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant snow…sleet…or ice accumulations that may impact travel.
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite source of weather information for the latest updates. Additional details can be found at www.weather.gov/blacksburg.
Adds Roanoke Times weather guru Kevin Myatt:
The National Weather Service posted a new map late this afternoon that may be the most threatening for widespread ice it has posted in recent times — widespread 1/4 to 1/2 inch inch regionwide, with some locations over that. If that transpires, it will be a widespread damaging ice storm. More sleet and snow can reduce the amount of ice, but it does appear significant ice is likely on Thursday. Be prepared for slick roads and possible power outages.
Will be updated as more information comes in…