It's a crazy map, isn't it?
This computer model shows 1" in Eastern Henrico/Tri-Cities and 4" in Western Henrico through Thursday morning. I think those numbers are actually a little low based on our legend at the top but I wrote some numbers on the map that are closer to what we're thinking. Expect MUCH more north and west versus South and East. That orange color is a 1' snowfall in the NW corner of Virginia.
The total map will likely shift around a bit before the storm starts but this storm has been on the forecast maps consistently since early next week.
Confidence is high the storm happens.
But confidence is low on snow totals. The Big question is "how cold it will be?" and "will the snow pile up or melt as it's falling? This forecast has a big possiblity of a miss in Richmond if the changeover to snow happens either later in the day or of the precipitation is much lighter. Still much to nail down on this as we get closer to Wednesday.
Timing in Richmond?
Wednesday Morning: Rain (upper 30s)
Wednesday Midday: Rain Changing to Snow (mid 30s)
Wednesday Afternoon/Evening: Heavy, Wet Snow (low 30s)
The changeover to snow is expected sooner North and West of Richmond.
Power Outages?
*This kind of heavy, wet snow that falls AFTER it rains can sometimes cause lots of power outages as snow sticks to wet trees and power lines. We also expect strong winds during the day Wednesday that could make that effect worse.*
School Closings?
Plenty of questions about school closings on Wednesday. I bet we'll get a bunch of closings before it starts in anticipation of snowfall for the commute home from school Wednesday. School systems don't like to send students home as the weather deteriorates.
Roads?
Could be a mess Wednesday/Wednesday night since Salt won't be effective. Rain to Snow storms render salt moot as rain will just wash it away.
-Andrew Freiden: 8:42am Monday
