NWS briefing: 6-8 for northern Accomack, 4-6 for most of rest of Shore

The National Weather Service has released another updated Winter Storm Fern briefing, the latest in a series of advisories tracking a major winter system expected to impact Accomack and Northampton counties beginning Saturday evening and lasting into early next week.

According to the 9 a.m. briefing issued Friday by the National Weather Service, a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for the Eastern Shore as confidence continues to increase that the region will experience significant winter weather from late Saturday through Sunday, with lingering impacts into Monday and beyond.

Forecast imagery continues to indicate little to no ice accumulation for Accomack and Northampton counties.

For the Eastern Shore, forecasters expect snow to begin Saturday evening as very cold Arctic air settles into the region. Temperatures are expected to be in the 20s, allowing snow to accumulate on all surfaces. Snowfall totals on the Shore are currently projected to range up to six inches in Accomack County and four to five inches in Northampton County, though officials caution that amounts may continue to fluctuate as the storm track becomes more refined.

As the storm progresses into Saturday night and Sunday, some mixing with sleet or rain is possible closer to the coast as warmer air attempts to push northward. Even where mixing occurs, forecasters warn that travel conditions could deteriorate rapidly due to earlier snowfall combined with bitter cold temperatures.

Another major concern emphasized in the latest update is the prolonged cold following the storm. Bitterly cold air is expected to filter into the region behind the system, with temperatures remaining below freezing for several days. Snow that falls over the weekend is expected to melt very slowly, prolonging impacts on roads and daily activities.

Forecasters say travel conditions could become extremely difficult Sunday into Sunday night, and residents are encouraged to complete final preparations ahead of the weekend. Officials also stress the importance of monitoring updated forecasts, as confidence in a significant winter storm is now high, even as fine details regarding snowfall amounts and timing continue to be adjusted.

The National Weather Service will continue issuing updates throughout the day and into the weekend as the storm approaches and conditions evolve across Virginia’s Eastern Shore.