Winter storm live updates

Tropical Tidbits

Short-range weather models are showing that a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain will continue across much of the state as we head into the evening hours – especially for areas east of the Blue Ridge.

Precipitation will gradually start to wind down overnight – save for some wrap-around snow showers for the higher elevations in the southwestern corner of the state.

From there, our attention will turn to bitterly cold conditions that are on the horizon into the first part of the work week.

The National Weather Service already has Cold Weather Advisories and Extreme Cold Watches in place for a good chunk of Southwestern Virginia for Monday and Tuesday. Wind chill values Monday night could be as low as 20 degrees below zero for some locations in that part of the state.

Gusty winds will lead to a heightened risk of power outages – especially dangerous in those cold conditions. Several localities have already opened warming shelters or will in the near future.

You can find details about some of those sites further below on this live blog.

We’ll continue to keep you updated throughout the day. You can also find the latest weather information at the National Weather Service’s website.

Power outages are continuing to pile up across Appalachian Power’s service area – including in Virginia.

The utility is reporting that more than 40,000 of its customers are sitting in the dark at this hour. While most of those outages are in West Virginia, about 11,000 customers in Virginia are without power. Washington County in the far southwest corner of the state makes up the bulk of those outages.

Dominion Energy is reporting more than 1,500 of its customers don’t currently have electricity. Most of those outages are in Southeast Virginia.

Virginians are encouraged to stay off the roads today and into at least the first part of Monday – as crews work to clear roadways.

Winter Storm Warnings remain in place for the entire state into Monday, with additional snow and sleet accumulations of up to three inches, and up to a half inch of ice, are possible.

We will turn cold and windy into the first part of the work week. Some localities plan to open warming shelters in response – including Giles, Pulaski and Tazewell Counties, in addition to the city of Bristol, Tennessee.

You can find details about those shelters — and those in other localities — below.

We’ll keep updated with the latest throughout the day, and you can find more weather information at the National Weather Service’s website.

Roanoke:

• The Rescue Mission: Open 24 hours during inclement weather event
• The Hemi House of Hope: Opens Saturday, January 24 at 3p and will remain open (1001 Stewart Ave SE) crated cats and non-aggressive, leashed dogs allowed 
• The Least of These Ministry: Warming bus (422 Luck Ave SW), Operates when temps drop below 40°F, typically 9p - 6:30a
• The Hope Center: Early morning/daytime (5 AM - Noon)
• RAM House: Day shelter open 8a – 4p, (824 Campbell Avenue SW), Closed on Sunday and Monday
• Roanoke County Libraries: Open during regular hours to the public for warmth and charging devices. 
• Belmont Presbyterian Church: Open Saturday through Monday; pet-friendly (excluding horses)
• The Hope Center of 11th Street: Open Sunday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Tuesday 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Richmond:
The City of Richmond has activated the City Emergency Shelter. The shelter, located at Southside Community Center (6255 Old Warwick Road), will open to any individuals or families in need at 5 p.m. today and will remain open through the duration of the extreme weather event. Additionally, the Main Library at 101 E. Franklin Street will serve as a central warming center today until 5 p.m. 

Residents visiting the City Emergency Shelter with a pet in need, should contact Richmond Animal Care and Control at 804-646-5573 for temporary housing options for their pet. Space is limited and available by appointment. Service Animals are always permitted in the City Emergency Shelter. 

The Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter and CARITAS Surge Shelter will continue to operate as planned.  

Lynchburg:
The Salvation Army, 2215 Park Avenue, is operating a low-barrier warming center for unsheltered individuals and families in the community. The warming center will be open 24/7 starting Friday evening. A hot meal will be served daily at 4:30 p.m. The City is requesting the community’s help collecting certain items for the warming center. Click HERE to see the list of requested items and drop-off locations.

Charlottesville:
Clemons Library on University of Virginia Grounds will be open as a warming center this weekend for those seeking shelter from the forecasted winter weather.
Warming center hours:

• Saturday, 9 AM - 8 PM
• Sunday: 12 PM - 10 PM
• Monday: 10 AM - 2 AM

Opening hours are subject to change, but the latest can be found on the library's website.

Emergency shelters are available in some locations throughout Southwest Virginia, though transportation officials warn residents to stay off the roads if possible.

Giles County:

Beginning Monday, the Giles County Wellness Center in Narrows will offer a daytime warming center, Located at 140 Clendennin Road, the shelter will be open Monday through Thursday 5:30 AM – 10 PM and Friday 5:30 AM – 9 PM

Pulaski County:

Pulaski County has opened an emergency overnight shelter for those in need of a warm place to sleep, at least through Jan 31. At the Anderson Memorial Presbyterian Church on 319 Franklin Ave, Pulaski, VA. Volunteer Terrie Sternberg says volunteers are needed to help staff the shelter and provide meals.

Bristol:

The city of Bristol has two shelters available, Haven of Rest and the Salvation Army.

• For web: Haven of Rest: 624 Anderson St., Bristol, Tenn.
  423-968-2011, https://www.havenofrestbristol.org
• Salvation Army – Bristol, Tenn.: 137 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Bristol, Tenn.
  423-652-7474, https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/bristol

Tazewell County:

A warming shelter is open in the Richlands Police Department lobby for temporary shelter from the cold and device charging. The county is monitoring power outages and may open more 24/7 shelters if need. 276-964-9134

For more information about additional warming centers, check for updates on Tazewell County’s facebook page or call 276-988-0645.

Power outage numbers are creeping up. More than 8,000 of Appalachian Power’s Virginia customers are without electricity, the bulk of them in Washington County. Dominion Energy reports more than 2,500 customers are out, mainly in Hampton Roads.

The National Weather Service reports 3 to 4 inches of snow and another 1 to 2 inches of sleet have fallen in many locations. Sleet and freezing rain will continue into the evening, especially for areas east of the Interstate 77 corridor. In the southwest corner of the state, the temperature has risen to near or above freezing, helping with road conditions. But most roads including interstates across the rest of Virginia still have large portions covered in snow and sleet.

Drivers are advised to stay off the roads if at all possible through Monday morning.

The number of power outages is ticking up in Southwest Virginia.

Appalachian Power is reporting about 9,500 customers out across its system in Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky. About 4,500 of those customers are in Washington County.

The southwest corner of the state is the first to see freezing rain. Temperatures there will eventually rise into the low 40’s. But in most other areas heavy sleet will continue through the day and begin to mix with freezing rain.

Dominion Energy is reporting minimal outages in its system across eastern and northern Virginia. Those areas have seen mainly sleet so far, but will experience some freezing rain later in the day.

Snow and sleet are falling across the listening area and a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the entire state.

In many places, including Roanoke and the western part of the state, snow has transitioned to heavy sleet. In Far Southwest Virginia, rain and freezing rain is already mixing in. That transition will move eastward through the morning.

Some snow totals so far include 3.5 inches in Roanoke and 4.5 inches reported in Glen Allen in the Richmond area and three inches in Ashland.

Most roads, including interstates are snow covered. State officials have asked people to stay off the roads through Monday morning, so plows can do their work.

Most flights in and out of the airports in Roanoke and Richmond are canceled today

Forecasters remain concerned about the potential for freezing rain and power outages. Appalachian Power is already reporting about 5,000 outages in Washington County in Southwest Virginia. Both Appalachian and Dominion Energy say they’ve mobilized thousands of employees and contractors to work on restoration efforts.

Even after the precipitation stops, we’ll face several windy and bitterly cold days and nights ahead. Near record overnight lows are possible later this week.