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Freezing rain advisory Friday night-Saturday morning

Posted at 2:57 PM, Dec 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-16 20:49:13-05

RICHMOND, Va. — A complex storm system will affect us this weekend.  The first part of it will arrive late Friday evening and last into the first half of Saturday, and a freezing rain advisory is in effect for much of the area away from the coast.

Warm air is moving towards our region, but it will take a bit of time for the cold air near the surface to exit the area.  For this reason, there will be a period of freezing rain.  Freezing rain is very deceptive, because it falls as a liquid.  So if you look outside, you think it’s just raining.  However, when this liquid rain comes into contact with the surface (the ground, trees, power lines), it freezes upon impact and creates an icy glaze.
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While we may see a brief period of some flakes or sleet, the precipitation will be mainly freezing rain through mid-morning Saturday.

Precipitation amounts will not be heavy in the metro, but slick spots will be possible, especially on elevated surfaces.  There is a better chance of a glaze on untreated surfaces north and west of Richmond.  The heaviest precipitation will fall in far northern and western Virginia.

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Precipitation will taper off by early afternoon, but we may see a passing shower during the day.  A few breaks in the clouds will be possible as warmer air surges into the region.  Highs will jump into the 50s after a warm front pushes northward.

A shot of heavier rain and a few thunderstorms will pass through on Sunday as temperatures jump into the 60s.  Colder air will return Sunday night into Monday morning, and the final hours of the precipitation may turn back to some sleet.