Winter Storm Warning for Northern Virginia

Active for next 1 day, 14 hours · National Weather Service

Winter Storm Warning in effect from 6 am Saturday to 6 am EST Sunday (22 Feb.2015)

The National Weather Service in Baltimore Md/washington has issued a Winter Storm Warning for snow, sleet, and freezing rain, which is in effect from 6 am Saturday to 6 am EST Sunday. The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in effect.

• Precipitation type: A mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain Saturday through early Sunday morning.
• Accumulations: 5 to 10 inches of snow, locally higher amounts at elevations above 3000 ft up to One-foot. Ice accumulations of a trace to One-tenth of an inch.
• Timing: snow starting Saturday morning, mixing with and then changing to mix of snow and sleet late in the evening and then changing to freezing rain late Saturday into early Sunday.
• Temperatures: upper teens to lower 20s early Saturday. Increasing to middle and upper 20s during the afternoon and evening hours. Temperatures steady or slowly rising Saturday night.
• Winds: winds south 10 to 20 mph Saturday into Saturday night. West 5 to 10 mph early Sunday morning.
• Impacts: snow and ice will cause hazardous travelling conditions Saturday through early Sunday morning.

Recommended actions

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow. Sleet, and ice are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only Travel in an emergency. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight. Food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

Tips from ready.gov

Before:
Before winter approaches, add the following supplies to your emergency kit:

• Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency for a complete list of recommended products.
• Sand to improve traction.
• Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
• Sufficient heating fuel. You may become isolated in your home and regular fuel sources may be cut off. Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
• Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.

More:
What to do before winter storms and extreme cold.

During:

Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack - a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside.

Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.

Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.

Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms.

More:

What to do during winter storms and extreme cold.

What is a Winter Storm Warning?

WarningWatch

A winter weather event including 1) snow, ice, or sleet meeting or exceeding locally defined 12 and/or 24 hour warning criteria; or 2) a combination of snow, ice, or sleet and blowing snow with at least one of the precipitation elements meeting or exceeding locally defined 12 and/or 24 hour warning criteria.