CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a State of Preparedness this week for all 55 counties as a winter storm is expected to impact the state throughout the upcoming weekend.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Watch for our listening area, as significant accumulations of snow are in the forecast.
West Virginia Eastern Panhandle Weather’s Will Astle talked about when the storm might reach Berkeley, Morgan, and Jefferson Counties. He says the snow will probably start anytime between 4:00 and 7:00 PM on Saturday. Astle talked about possible snowfall amounts on Thursday’s Panhandle Live.
“It will be snow and, and I expect that it’ll probably stay all snow. There is a chance that that there could be some warm air that comes in a loft and changes it to sleet, but I don’t see a freezing rain issue. The real area that’s going to see a sleet changeover is going to be the southern Potomac Highlands South of US 50.”
Astle says there could be pockets of ‘enhanced snowfall’ which could bring 14 inches of snow or more.
He says residents in places like Shannondale in Jefferson County should plan to be at home for a few days due to road conditions, and everyone in the path of the storm should prepare for the possibility of impassable roads or power outages.
Frigid temps following the weather event mean the snow won’t be melting off anytime soon.
“We’re not going to make it above freezing for high temperatures all of next week and it’ll probably be single digits at night, so this snow is not going anywhere,” he says.
Residents in local municipalities may have an easier time getting around following the storm, but those who live on the mountain areas or off back roads might be home for a bit, according to Astle:
“We’ve been cautioning people, especially that live up on the mountain in Jefferson County, like Shannondale, they’re going to have issues getting out of their communities and out of their driveways. So we are telling people to expect to be not able to get out for two or three days.”
Morgan County Sheriff Johnnie Walter was asked this week to give some winter weather driving tips. “If you don’t have to go out, stay in,” he said. “If you have to go out, check the road conditions before you go. Make sure your vehicle’s ready, good windshield wipers, your all your lights are working, your cooling system. Have your phone with you in case something does happen where you can make a call. Don’t make it while you’re driving.”
“Slow down and stay alert. Most of our accidents and bad weather come from speed,” said the sheriff.
Jefferson County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Public Affairs Coordinator Brandon Wonder talked about those especially affected by the cold. “A couple of populations that are very vulnerable to winter weather and weather in the winter season in general, those two are elderly or older adults and children.”
“But for elderly, they’re particularly vulnerable to hypothermia, falls, complications with other health risks. And it’s something that they just need to be wary of before they go out or even when they’re in their home that sometimes their core body temperature might be lower. He says about 20% of injuries related to cold exposure occur in the home.”
Following a repair on a 12-inch water line in Martinsburg this week, the city of Martinsburg posted this tip on social media as the region gets ready for a cold snap:
This is just a reminder. Cold weather affects not only city water mains, but home water lines. It is supposed to be very frigid over next 10 days and frozen home water pipes are a real possibility. The best way to prevent frozen pipes in your home is to leave a steady trickle (not a full blast) running in at least one of your faucets overnight. The constant stream of running water will help prevent the pipes from freezing because of the steady movement.
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The National Weather Service predicts snow will likely overspread the area by Saturday evening “becoming heavy at times Saturday night with rates of one to two inches per hour possible at times. A mix with sleet or freezing rain is possible Sunday, especially south of Interstate 70. Significant icing is possible especially across central Virginia.”
Visibility of one-quarter mile or less is possible at times. A prolonged period wind chills in the teens and single digits is likely beginning Friday evening and lasting
through the middle of next week, with sub-zero wind chills possible at times.
There is a high likelihood of at least 5 inches of snow, with over 10 inches possible. Ice accumulation is also possible, especially south of Interstate 70.
* WHERE…Portions of central, north-central, and northern Maryland,
central, northern, northwest, and western Virginia, and eastern
West Virginia.
* WHEN…From Saturday afternoon through late Sunday night.
* IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Snow will likely overspread the area by
Saturday evening, becoming heavy at times Saturday night with
rates of one to two inches per hour possible at times. A mix with
sleet or freezing rain is possible Sunday, especially south of
Interstate 70. Significant icing is possible especially across
central Virginia. Visibility of one-quarter mile or less is
possible at times. A prolonged period wind chills in the teens and
single digits is likely beginning Friday evening and lasting
through the middle of next week, with sub-zero wind chills
possible at times.
A State of Preparedness issued this week by Governor Patrick Morrisey allows the West Virginia Emergency Management Division (WVEMD) to prepare staff and resources to respond in the event of an emergency. As a result of Wednesday’s proclamation, agencies have been placed on standby and are prepared to report to the State Emergency Operations Center if needed.
Residents are also encouraged to limit unnecessary travel during hazardous conditions, and take steps to ensure their safety throughout the storm.
