Virginia Declares Emergency Ahead of Severe Winter Storm Threat

Virginia is preparing for a severe winter storm expected to bring significant snow and ice. Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency as travel conditions worsen and risks of power outages increase. The approaching cold weather impacts areas from the mid-Atlantic to the West Coast, affecting travel and public safety. Severe weather shelters are being established to support vulnerable residents amid the extreme conditions.

A severe winter storm is imminent across the mid-Atlantic states, with Virginia and West Virginia anticipating significant snow and ice accumulations. The National Weather Service has issued travel advisories, warning that hazardous conditions will persist from Tuesday through early Wednesday. Power outages and tree damage are likely, especially in regions experiencing heavy ice buildup.

In preparation for the storm, Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia declared a state of emergency on Monday, facilitating aid from state agencies to local governments. The forecast predicts up to 10 inches of snow in northern and central Virginia and up to a half-inch of ice in some areas, leading to the closure of schools and government offices throughout the state.

Travel conditions will deteriorate early Tuesday as a combination of snow and sleet spreads from western Virginia to North Carolina, with significant impacts expected. Appalachian Power has mobilized resources, including 700 additional workers, to address any outages resulting from the storm.

The weather is not limited to the mid-Atlantic; Tennessee faces severe flood risks due to expected heavy rainfall, prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to lower lake levels to mitigate flood danger. Simultaneously, winter storm warnings stretch from Kentucky to southern New Jersey, with a flood watch in effect for parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Meanwhile, Arctic air mass is forecast to bring dangerously low temperatures across a broad area, including Portland, Oregon, where a wave of severe cold will hit. Local officials are preparing severe weather shelters to support the homeless population, following recent tragedies attributed to exposure to harsh conditions.

In Butte, Montana, temperatures are predicted to plunge to minus 33 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting outreach efforts to distribute essential cold-weather supplies to vulnerable residents. The potential for additional precipitation persists, with meteorologists noting an atmospheric river slated to affect California, contributing substantial rainfall and heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada region through Saturday.

In summary, a severe winter storm is forecast to impact the mid-Atlantic states, with Virginia declaring a state of emergency. Anticipated snow and ice accumulations pose threats of power outages, treacherous travel conditions, and flooding risks in some areas. As temperatures drop significantly across the country, actions to protect vulnerable populations are being taken. Meanwhile, California braces for substantial rainfall and snow from an incoming atmospheric river.

Original Source: www.pbs.org