WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg area could get its biggest snowfall in eight years if the upside of the National Weather Service’s forecast for Wednesday and Thursday is anywhere near accurate.
Williamsburg, James City County and Upper York County “could get snow in the 6-8-inch range before the storm ends Thursday morning,” said Larry Brown, a meteorologist at the weather service center in Wakefield. A winter storm warning is in effect beginning at 10 a.m. for Hampton Roads, northeastern North Carolina and parts of the Eastern Shore.
The most recent heavy snowfall in this area came on Jan. 7, 2017, when 9 inches was recorded at the Williamsburg Water Treatment Plant and confirmed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Brown said the storm, pushed by a low pressure area, will move up from the south Wednesday morning with snow beginning in this area between 8 and 10 a.m. “This is a two-event storm,” he said. “The snow will diminish somewhat in the early afternoon. The low pressure will intensify off the North Carolina-Virginia coast later in the day.
“About 3-4 p.m., the storm will really go nuts with very heavy snow,” Brown said.
The storm “will be all snow. No rain involved and the accumulation will be quick and very easy on the roads,” he added.
Schools in Williamsburg and James City County are closed, with York County calling for an asynchronous learning day.
This event will be the sixth snowfall in the area since Jan. 5. Already a total of 7 inches has been recorded by NOAA.
About 5 inches of snow fell in the James City County community of Toano on Jan. 11. Ben Swenson/freelance
This particular polar vortex, the 10th of the winter season, coming from the artic will keep temperature low in the mid-20s during the day and minimize the chance for ice or rain involvement. Brown said the current vortex “had temperature at 40 below zero in the Dakotas Tuesday morning. That will push the temperature down in this area during the storm.”
Routinely, the polar vortex keeps the coldest of arctic air penned in at the top of the world, according to the Associated Press. In a normal winter, the air stretches like a rubber band to send some of that big chill south, happening two or three times each winter. This year is abnormal in the number of chills sent down from the north.
According to NOAA records that began in 1896, the largest Williamsburg single snow was 15 inches recorded on Jan. 24, 1940. The second was Jan. 5, 1980, when it snowed 13.5 inches. The largest yearly snow total was in 1980, when 35.4 inches accumulated in six separate snowstorms. The second largest snow year was in 1914, with a total of 33 inches.
Very little, if any, measurable show has fallen in the past few years.
Pre-treating of local roadways by the Virginia Department of Transportation began Monday when brine — a mixture of salt and water — was put down in an effort to prevent snow and ice accumulation, said Brittany McBride, the communications director for VDOT’s Suffolk District.
“We have stockpiled salt and sand to be used after the snow has started. It breaks up the snow and helps with traction. Salt and sand are also used after the storm when various areas on roads refreeze,” she said.
VDOT personnel throughout the district will begin 24-hour duty at 8 a.m. today.
“Our planning is for the worst event and we’re told the snow will continue through Wednesday night and Thursday morning,” McBride added.
Wilford Kale, [email protected]
Originally Published: February 19, 2025 at 9:09 AM EST
