Updated: Dec. 17, 6 a.m.
Prince William County Schools has cancelled all school-related travel and events from midnight through noon Saturday due to the inclement weather and dangerous road conditions.
Original Story:
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the area from 12 a.m. tonight through 12 p.m. Saturday.
The service calls for snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half-inch along with a tenth of an inch an inch of glaze ice.
"Temps will be in the low 20s when precipitation begins, so accumulations are likely," Weatherman John Biggs said. "As the night goes on, temperatures will rise; [it will] probably still cold enough for snow or sleet at sunrise, but I suspect we see a changeover no later than 9 or 10 a.m. Saturday morning."
Temperatures will rise to 40's Saturday afternoon,which will turn any remaining precipitation to rain.
"By midnight on Sunday, temps will be near 60, with rain heavy at times," he said. "After rain moves out, temps plummet again continuing our roller coaster ride."
VDOT's Ready for the Weather
Ahead of the reported low temperatures, freezing rain, sleet and snow that's potentially heading towards the area this weekend, the Virginia Department of Transportation has prepped roads with anti-icing materials.
"About 1,100 trucks will report across northern Virginia beginning at 7 p.m.tonight, to focus on treating roads through the weekend with mixes of salt, sand and liquid magnesium chloride," a spokesperson said. "As many plan to move across the region for shopping and other holiday preparations this weekend, the Virginia Department of Transportation asks drivers to plan accordingly."
VDOT suggests postponing early-morning travel until pavement temperatures improve and daylight can provide better visibility and allowing plenty of time for weather conditions and increased holiday traffic
"Crews took advantage of warmer days earlier in the week to treat roads in advance with anti-icing materials. Through Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties," VDOT said.
5,200 lane miles of interstate, primary and high-volume secondary roads were treated with liquid magnesium chloride or brine in advance of winter weather.
Residents can keep track of VDOT's efforts here.
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