RICHMOND, Va. (AP) 鈥� Governors in two southern states have declared emergencies ahead of an anticipated intense winter storm.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Saturday he’d declared an emergency to help state agencies prepare for a storm that’s expected to hit hard the southern part of the state.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued the declaration Friday and said the impacts of the weekend storm will vary across the state, with forecasters calling for up to 18 inches of snow in the mountains and possible flooding at the coast.
鈥淲e鈥檙e preparing for days of impact, not hours,鈥� Cooper said.
Officials have warned residents to prepare emergency kits and staff off roads in impacted areas.
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In the areas surrounding the District, the forecast has once again 鈥� possibly 鈥� shifted. Whereas the forecast for the last few days had called for the winter weather to miss all but the most southern suburbs of Maryland and parts of Northern Virginia, D.C. is once again in the path for snow.
Storm Team 4 Meteorologist Somara Theodore said that while an exact forecast is still hard to call, at least one weather model shows D.C. getting some flurries on Sunday.
“This is plausible if the storm can muster up enough steam and energy to beat out that high pressure to our north that is suppressing it right now,” Theodore said. “If it does, well that鈥檚 the only way we will see some flurries and flakes in the district.”
A winter storm warning is in effect for parts of central Virginia Sunday.聽The National Weather Service said Saturday the heaviest snow is expected in northwest North Carolina and southern Virginia.
The Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to Winter Storm Warnings and Advisories in portions of central Virginia. Please see for more information.
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The weather service said a “prolonged period of snow is expected” starting as early as Saturday evening and lasting until Monday.
After Monday, the system should move on and allow the region to dry out and warm up throughout the week and into the weekend.
The forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT:聽Clouds build throughout the day,聽Lows: upper 20s and lower 30s
厂鲍狈顿础驰:听Cloudy then a chance of a snow shower in Southern MD and central Virginia,聽Highs: low to mid 30s
惭翱狈顿础驰:听Partly Sunny to Mostly Sunny,聽Highs: low 40s
罢鲍贰厂顿础驰:听Mostly Sunny,聽Highs: low 40s
The Associated Press contributed to this report.聽
