State of emergency declared for Virginia as more snow expected

As Virginians recover from one round of icy roads and severe snow, meteorologists are saying a strengthening low pressure system off the coast is likely to bring another round of winter weather to the commonwealth late Thursday into Friday.

The National Weather Service said the low-pressure system could bring a chance of snowfall across northern Virginia, Maryland and the Eastern Shore with lower amounts to the south and in Hampton Roads. The forecast prompted Gov. Ralph Northam to declare a state of emergency Wednesday night.

“Having two bouts of snow and icy weather back to back makes it more likely communities will need additional help as they continue to recover from the first round of tree-snapping wet snow and ice that we saw Monday,” Northam said in a statement.

The heaviest precipitation will start around 10 p.m., Thursday and run to 5 a.m., Friday. Snow is expected to be heaviest in areas hit hard earlier this week with the possibility of 2 to 4 inches from Fluvanna County to the Northern Neck and 1 to 2 inches from Farmville eastward to Richmond.

Areas to the south like Hampton Roads may skirt the worst conditions and receive a light dusting to an inch of snow.

Cold air will follow behind the precipitation with afternoon high temps on Friday in the 30s to low 40s.

Although the forecast is subject to adjustments, the National Weather Service is saying the next round of snow won’t be as extreme as it was earlier in the week.

Lyndon German, frederick.german@virginiamedia.com