Editor’s Note: A version of this article was originally published on Jan. 3 and has been updated to reflect the most recent information available as of Jan. 5.
Sunday, the National Weather Service added a Hazardous Weather Outlook — which outlines all possibilities of hazardous winter weather, including 7 or more inches of snow within 24 hours and damaging amounts of ice —- for the winter storm approaching throughout the evening.
This Hazardous Weather Outlook comes alongside a Winter Storm Warning announced by the National Weather Service Saturday, which took effect 6 p.m. Sunday and will last through 1 a.m. Tuesday. Winter Storm Warnings indicate approaching, hazardous winter weather, including snow, ice and freezing rain. University police shared a post on Instagram Saturday following the storm’s upgrade, explaining various winter weather alerts
Reports from the National Weather Service predict that Charlottesville will experience snow, sleet and freezing rain beginning Sunday afternoon and lasting through Monday, with temperatures remaining near freezing throughout the week. The storm is expected to cause 6 to 8 inches of snow in Charlottesville throughout Sunday evening and Monday.
This storm will arrive on Grounds amidst January term courses, which began Thursday, and as Greek life members are set to return early for sorority and fraternity rush events. In an email to the University community, Jennifer Wagner Davis, executive vice president and chief operating officer, announced that J-Term courses will be held online Monday at their scheduled time. Davis also noted that the University Academic Division will delay opening until 12 p.m. Monday, and that further updates could be found on the Academic Operations Status Board.
Davis’s email also shared a link to the U.Va. Health Status Board, which patients and employees can visit to find updates to U.Va. Health operations. According to the updates posted, nearly all clinics and centers will be closed Monday but will hold telemedicine visits for scheduled patients.
Albemarle County Public Schools will also remain closed Monday. An email to the ACPS community shared that while Jan. 6 had already been scheduled as a day off for students and a professional development day for teachers, all school buildings will remain closed Monday. The professional development training will instead take place online.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency Friday in response to the incoming winter storm. Youngkin and state police advised residents to postpone travel plans, prepare for power outages and avoid driving Sunday and Monday. The Governor’s statement also noted that there will be increased police presence on the roads throughout the storm to prevent potential traffic accidents.
Declaring a state of emergency allows the Governor to deploy State aid to provide communities with resources to prevent or reduce damages, create plans for rescue and evacuation or supply any essentials.
The Virginia Department of Transportation issued a press release around 4 p.m. Friday alerting residents of Culpeper District, which includes Albemarle and surrounding counties, to exercise caution while driving on icy roads. Around 5 p.m. Saturday, VDOT issued a second press release again urging locals to complete storm preparations before Sunday morning and return home from holiday travels before Sunday afternoon at the latest.
VDOT crews pre-treated roads Saturday in preparation for the storm, and the press release shared that snow plows and salt spreaders were prepared to respond quickly to icy conditions.
Deputy University Spokesperson Bethanie Glover shared in a written statement that the University will continue to monitor the weather and update the community on any further changes to operations.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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