Major Winter Storm Expected This Weekend: Heavy Snow, Ice, and Dangerous Cold Ahead

A powerful winter system is lining up to impact the region this weekend.

Arctic air, heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are all on the table.

Conditions could deteriorate fast, making travel dangerous and disruptions likely.

Some areas may see crippling ice and power outages.

Now is the time to prepare while the weather is still calm.

This could be one of the most impactful winter storms of the season.

Friday

Tomorrow is your final prep day before this weekend’s winter storm hits hard.

Temperatures will hover in the 40s and 50s, feeling calm before the chaos.

Clouds will steadily thicken as an Arctic cold front marches toward us.

This is the last window to stock up, charge devices, and lock in your plans.

Once that front arrives, conditions will change fast and dramatically.

Enjoy the mild air now—winter is about to make a serious entrance.

All eyes are now on the weekend as a powerful setup takes shape for Arctic air and major winter weather.

A First Alert Weather Day is in effect from Saturday through Tuesday as confidence grows.

The threat of high-impact conditions is rising fast—whether it falls as snow, ice, or both.

This storm has the potential to disrupt travel, daily routines, and outdoor plans.

Cold air will surge in, setting the stage for dangerous conditions.

Now is the time to prepare, because winter is about to make a bold move.

Expected Precipitation Type & Timing — What You Need to Know

Snow showers will begin pushing in from the west into the New River Valley tomorrow afternoon, then spread east through the evening.

The heaviest and most widespread snowfall is expected between **8 PM and 12 AM** tomorrow night.

After midnight, warmer air will surge into the upper atmosphere, triggering a switch from snow to sleet.

That transition will start in the south near the state border and slowly creep north.

By late Sunday morning, **everyone** should be dealing with sleet.

Later Sunday, freezing rain could develop across southern counties, with the highest risk near the **VA/NC border**—setting the stage for dangerous, high-impact conditions.

This is a first look at a tentative snowfall map, and it will be fine-tuned over the next 12–24 hours.

Snow will last the longest across northern areas, which is where the highest totals are expected.

Farther south, the snow window will be much shorter.

That means lower snowfall totals and a faster switch to sleet or ice.

In simple terms: more snow north, less snow south.

Final totals could still shift, so stay tuned for updates as this storm sharpens into focus.

Southern areas could see up to 2 inches of sleet stacking on top of existing snowfall.

With bitterly cold ground temperatures, that sleet will freeze into a thick, heavy ice layer.

This ice will cap snow totals but massively increase danger.

Expect treacherous travel, falling trees, and a real risk of power outages.

This storm isn’t just about snow anymore—it’s turning into a high-impact ice event.

Expected Sleet Amounts

Expected Freezing Rain Impacts — A Major Red Flag

Freezing rain is quickly becoming the biggest concern for the southside.

The closer you are to the VA/NC border, the higher your risk of serious ice impacts.

This kind of setup is notorious for widespread power outages.

Ice will coat trees, power lines, and roads, adding extreme weight and danger.

Meanwhile, near the Highlands, little to no freezing rain impact is expected.

Once again, this storm could look wildly different depending on your exact location.

An Arctic front will crash in, sending surface temperatures well below freezing.

At the same time, warmer air will surge northward in the upper atmosphere.

That invisible clash is the game-changer.

The thicker that warm layer becomes, the more likely snow flips to sleet or freezing rain.

In short: what falls from the sky depends on a battle you can’t see.

Ice is shaping up to be one of the most dangerous parts of this storm in certain areas.

The biggest threats include power outages, treacherous travel, and falling trees under the crushing weight of ice.

When ice builds on top of existing snow, it becomes especially heavy and destructive.

That added weight can snap branches, bring down power lines, and block roads fast.

Even small amounts of ice can cause major problems.

This is the kind of winter setup that can turn conditions dangerous in just hours.

Even a small change in track could dramatically reshape snow vs. ice totals.

Some areas may end up buried in snow, while others could face a serious ice threat.

Your forecast could look very different in the next update.

Confidence will grow as we get closer to the event.

We’ll keep you updated as the picture becomes clearer.

Winter Storm Preparedness — Don’t Wait

With the potential for major snow and ice this weekend, now is the time to prepare—while the weather is still calm.

This is your window to stock up, charge devices, and secure anything outdoors.

A little preparation today could make a huge difference once the storm hits.

Use this calm stretch to build a winter kit and grab any last-minute necessities.

Whether it’s for your home or your car, having a kit ready is critical.

Stock it with extra food and water, portable chargers, flashlights, blankets, and essential medications.

Once the storm hits, it may be too late to run errands.

A little prep today could save you big trouble tomorrow.

Bring pets indoors whenever possible to protect them from the brutal cold.

When they do go outside, bundle them up and limit exposure.

Keep walks short and watch for signs of discomfort or frostbite.

This kind of cold can be dangerous for animals in minutes.

A little extra care now can keep your pets healthy and safe.

We’re looking at a multi-day stretch of below-freezing temperatures.

That means anything that piles up this weekend will barely melt—if at all.

Icy roads and snow-covered surfaces could stick around.

Travel conditions on Monday—and possibly Tuesday—may remain dangerous.

This storm may end, but its impacts could linger well into next week.