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First Warning Storm Team: Tracking rain, snow and gusty winds

Posted at 2:39 PM, Mar 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-03 16:35:02-05

Tracking rain, snow and gusty winds….We’re keeping an eye on an area of low pressure that will move in from the west tonight. As the low approaches the area, scattered rain will begin moving in.  Now, most of Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina will have above freezing temperatures at the onset of this event. However, some of our temperatures will be marginal for a few of our inland and northern communities, which could support snow to mix in through early Friday morning.

Some snow accumulations can be expected during this event but will likely be limited because of the rain. So areas near Sussex, Surry, Williamsburg-James City Co., Gloucester. Mathews, Middlesex and the northern Eastern Shore could see about 1-2″of snow. However, some of our forecast models are hinting at higher amounts of snow over portions of the Middle Peninsula and the Northern Neck, possibly up to 3″.  Even higher snow totals are expected near Petersburg and Richmond.

Again, for most of the viewing area, this will be a rain event. We would not be surprised if a few snowflakes mixed in with the rain at times, but overall, it will be rain. Some of the rain could be heavy at times late tonight through Friday morning, capable of leading to ponding on roads.

Other than the potential for rain and snow, the winds will be howling once the low moves offshore and strengthens. Winds will blow in from the north-northeast between 20 and 30 mph Friday, with gusts up to 40 mph. Watch out for some tidal flooding. High tide at Sewells Point Friday will be at 4:47 a.m. and 5:05 p.m.

The rain will push out through the day Friday, with gradual clearing expected. By Saturday, we’ll see some sunshine between the clouds. However, a couple of isolated showers will remain possible late Saturday into early Sunday. High temperatures on Friday will be in the mid 40s. We’ll be in the upper 40s Saturday and Sunday, and by next week, temperatures will climb into the 60s and 70s.

Tonight: Mostly Cloudy. Scattered Rain/Snow (50%). Low temperatures in the mid and upper 30s. Winds: NE 15-25 mph.

Friday: Mostly Cloudy. AM Rain/Snow (90%). Windy and Chilly. High temperatures in the mid 40s. Winds: N 20-30 mph, gusts to 40 mph.

Saturday: Partly Sunny. Late Day Showers Possible (20%). Chilly. High temperatures will be in the upper 40s. Winds: S 5-10 mph.

Today in Weather History (NWS Wakefield)

1999 F1 Tornado Dinwiddie Co.

2010 Minor snow event 1-3 inches Richmond east to Chesapeake Bay

2014 Snow 3-5″ Richmond to Fluvanna; 2-4″ areas Williamsburg to Tidewater

Dominic Brown

First Warning Meteorologist

WTKR-TV NewsChannel 3

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