StormTracker8: VIPIR Alert Day on Sunday due to Rain to Snow Accumulations

Richmond, Va (WRIC) -- All eyes are on Sunday into Monday, as Central Virginia is in for another Winter Storm to close out the weekend. Details below.

Tonight’s forecast for this Saturday night into Sunday morning, calls for increasing clouds leading to mostly cloudy skies and comfortable temperatures, getting down into the lower 40s. Rain will be developing well after the Midnight hour tonight.

Tomorrow’s forecast for our Sunday, calls for mostly cloudy skies, steady to heavy rain from the early morning hours through the early afternoon hours, then a transition over to a wet snow from the afternoon hours through the early overnight hours on Sunday night.

We could pick up an inch of rainfall in some locations on Sunday, then on top of that wet snow accumulations are possible especially along and northeast of Interstate 64 from Sunday afternoon through Sunday night. Higher snowfall totals in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, with lower snowfall totals in southern and southwestern Virginia tomorrow. Temperatures will be dropping throughout the day on Sunday, so starting off in the lower 40s in the early morning hours, then dropping into the middle 30s by the early evening hours. Snow won’t accumulate initially due to the wet and warm ground but will on elevated surfaces, then by Sunday evening, it will start to accumulate, as temperatures will be falling.

Sunday night into Monday morning, calls for lingering wet snow, especially for the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, otherwise we will see mostly cloudy skies, breezy conditions from time to time and colder temperatures, getting down closer to 30 degrees.

Between 1pm and 3pm, from northeast to southwest, we will start to see that transition from rain to a mix of rain and snow and then to all snow. As we make that transition the snowflakes will be huge, large half dollar size and then will fill the air. It will look very pretty! That snow will continue for the rest of Sunday night and begin to taper off between 2am and 4am. So, we are looking at a good 10 hours to 12 hours of snow. This will be a wet snow falling on very wet ground, which will initially inhibit snow from accumulating, because the initial couple of hours of snow will have to cool the ground. Most of the roads will be okay, especially across metro Richmond, however one area of concern for road issues will be in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck where roads will become slushy and snow covered by early late Sunday night. This is especially true for where the heavier snow falls

Amelia, Buckingham, Sussex, Prince George, Nottoway, Dinwiddie, and all areas in the grey color will see a dusting to 2". If you are closer to the pink band, you will see the upper end of the range, the farther south & west you are, you will see the lower end of the range.

We have extended the light pink band. The City of Richmond, Louisa, Henrico, Hanover, Goochland, Charles City, New Kent, and all areas in the light pink color will receive between 2"-4" of snow. The farther north and east you are the more snow you will receive.

Notice the accumulations for the Northern Neck and some parts in the Delmarva, 4"-6" in the blue, and then more into New Jersey and Long Island, 6"-12" and possibly more.

Monday’s forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies, breezy conditions from time to time and cool temperatures, with highs in the lower 40s.

Tuesday’s forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies, less breezy conditions and cool temperatures, with highs in the lower 40s.

Wednesday of next work week, will begin a warming trend, back into the 50s, under mostly cloudy skies.

Thursday a weather system will be approaching Central Virginia and sweeping through bringing more beneficial showers to the region, with highs in the 50s.

Finally, next Friday and next weekend, are all looking mild with temperatures in the 50s to near 60 degrees and dry conditions.