Winter storm warning in effect for western suburbs Sunday; heavy snow possible | Headlines

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Loudoun County and winter storm watches for western Prince William and Fauquier beginning early Sunday morning.

The warning is in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with heavy snow expected and total snow and sleet accumulations from 4 to 6 inches, according to the NWS Sterling forecast office.

A winter storm watch is in effect for northwestern Prince William and Fauquier counties from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, with the forecast calling for up to 5 inches of snow.

Across the rest of Northern Virginia, snow and ice accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected, the weather service said.

The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Northern Virginia District crews will begin mobilizing this morning ahead of the storm.

Temperatures are anticipated to drop below freezing on Sunday and not rise above freezing until at least Friday.

“Please plan now to limit travel Saturday night into Sunday as slick road conditions are possible,” VDOT said in a news release.

VDOT Northern Virginia will have approximately 2,500 pieces of equipment working this storm, more than 800 of which will be dedicated to making subdivisions passable, the agency said Friday.

“A reminder that passable is defined as an at least 8-10′ wide path that is drivable with caution. Emergency vehicles, like fire trucks, are able to navigate the roads successfully,” the release said. “Overall, subdivision roads will likely not be bare pavement or plowed curb to curb.”

Throughout the storm, VDOT will continue to plow and treat roads as needed and will continue to put down abrasives for traction.