Team Norfolk Update - Impending Weather 3-13-17

Team,

Norfolk is under a Winter Wind Advisory until 10am tomorrow (Tuesday).  Additionally, the Governor has declared a State of Emergency for the Commonwealth for the impending winter storm throughout parts of Virginia.

While parts of the State may expect upward of 15" of accumulation, this should be a non-event for Norfolk.  Based on the hourly graph below, we are expected to receive rainfall possibly this afternoon and very likely overnight through the morning hours.  Rainfall amount of ~1” is expected over this 12+ hour period.  Temps overnight are in the low 50’s and sustained winds in the mid-teens w/ gusts in the low to mid 20’s.

Tuesday afternoon brings a 36% chance of snowfall.  Again, per the NWS Probabilistic Snowfall Forecast, the most likely scenario accumulation should be less than 1”; worst case is in fact 1”. 

There is no activation of the Emergency Operations Center nor recommended changes to operations.

The early morning hours of Wednesday will bring colder temperatures, with a low in the upper 20’s and wind chill in the teens.  To protect our residents experiencing homelessness, a Warming Overflow Warning (WOW) coordination call will be scheduled to discuss anticipated conditions for the week.

Lastly, if you plan to attend Wednesday’s Team Norfolk Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting, please RSVP with Karen Lovely at karen.lovely@norfolk.gov.  Topics will include a presentation on Severe Weather from the National Weather Service, a presentation on Amateur Radio by John Roberts and a discussion on the hurricane evacuation zone update.

Thanks!

Jim
Director, Norfolk EOC
james.redick@norfolk.gov