Centreville Under Winter Storm Watch

By Mary Ann Barton, editor

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch that begins Sunday morning for the entire D.C. region including Northern Virginia.

NBC4 predicts a dusting to 1 inch of snow Sunday morning for the area.

The Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Sunday morning through Monday morning. The weather service warns that the area can expect to see:

• Snow and sleet, changing to freezing rain Sunday afternoon. Freezing rain is expected to last until late Sunday night or Monday morning, changing to rain.
• 1 or 2 inches of snow and sleet and a quarter-inch or more of ice accumulation possible.
• Snow and sleet are expected to begin Sunday morning. A changeover to freezing rain is expected midday Sunday and will continue into the night before changing over to rain late Sunday night or Monday morning.
• Temperatures will be about 30 degrees Sunday.
• Hazardous travel conditions are probable due to slick roads and icy conditions Sunday and possibly into Monday. Increased power outages are possible.

To check for outages, visit the Dominion Electric Outage Map. You can find
Northern Virginia road information from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Tips for driving on icy roads, from VDOT:

• Tell someone (a friend, relative or co-worker) you are taking a trip, where you are going, the routes you will travel and when you expect to arrive.
  
  
• Before you leave town, fill your gas tank. While traveling, frequently refill the gas tank.
  
  
• Don’t get on the road without a winter travel survival kit.
  
  
• If your vehicle breaks down, pull as far off the road as possible. Your greatest personal danger at this point is being hit by passing cars.
  
  
• Stay in the car if visibility is poor. You may become disoriented and lost while wandering in a snowstorm, making it more difficult for rescuers to find you. If you have a cell phone, call for help.