Winter Storm Targets Fredericksburg: Latest Forecast, Cancellations, How To Prepare

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — On Friday morning, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the central and eastern Virginia. The warning will be in effect from 11 p.m. on Saturday to 4 a.m. on Monday.

Heavy mixed precipitation is expected, according to an NWS alert. The total snow and sleet accumulation could be between 5 and 10 inches, with ice accumulations around a quarter inch.

On Thursday, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency, ahead of the storm, which is predicted to bring ice and bitterly cold temperatures to the D.C. region, with wind chills reaching as low as 10 degrees below zero.

The City of Fredericksburg will be under a cold weather advisory from 10 p.m. on Friday to 10 a.m. on Saturday, according to the NWS forecast. Expect cold wind chills as low as -5 degrees.

Related: VA Snow Totals Up In Latest Weekend Storm Forecast

"Snow will likely overspread the area Saturday night, becoming heavy at times late Saturday night with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour possible at times, according to NWS. "A mix with sleet or
freezing rain is expected Sunday."

Closures and Cancellations

• General District Court and Clerk's Office will be closed Monday, Jan. 26

Emergency Kit, Staying Connected

• Build an emergency kit for work and home: essential supplies for three or more days. Include your household's special needs, including medical conditions and companion animals. Check out Virginia Department of Emergency Management's recommended emergency kit list.
• Identify multiple ways to reach friends and family in case one or more media are unavailable. Include telephone, text, and social media.
• Write down contact information: keep a copy in every emergency kit and make sure all household members have copies in case of separation.
• In case of emergency, call 911.

Related: How To Prepare, Safety Tips For VA Weekend Winter Storm

• Snow Shoveling Tips: To stay safe while shoveling remember to take breaks, and call or text 9-1-1 right away if you or someone you are with begins to have chest discomfort. (People with a history of heart disease shouldn’t shovel without checking with their doctor first) As you dig out, consider helping your neighbors who may need assistance. You can also be a community hero by helping to shovel areas around fire hydrants, sidewalks, and bus stops.
• Power Outages: Report power outages to Dominion Energy via app, phone (866-366-4357), or online. Dominion Energy's webpage features power outage safety and preparation information.

VDOT's Priorities For Winter Storm Response

Safety and connectivity are key, so roads carrying the most traffic get top priority, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Here are the VDOT's priorities when responding to snow and ice emergency's on state roads:

• VDOT clears interstates and most primary roads (generally numbered 1 through 599) first.
• Crews also plow major secondary roads (numbered 600 and up) with vital emergency and public facilities or those with high traffic volumes.
• Snow emergency routes are key among the top priorities. Localities designate these roads for immediate snow removal so emergency vehicles can use them.
• Other secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated if multiday storms hit Virginia, but crews will focus their efforts on roads that carry the most traffic.
• Once the snow stops and main roads are clear, residential streets will be sanded or plowed.

VDOT’s Snow Plow Tracker: The agency’s interactive map shows the real-time location of its snow plows. However, this map is only activated when there's two or more inches of snow. Keep in mind that VDOT first works to clear highways and major roads before focusing on neighborhood streets. For more information, call VDOT at 1-800-367-7623.