Highlights from the 3:30PM January 31, 2026 Winter Weather Briefing include:

•    Snow develops this afternoon peaking this evening through Sunday morning. Latest guidance and observational trends now point toward lower snowfall totals than previously forecast across our area. As such, snow totals have been adjusted down with this forecast package.  5-10” of snow is expected across far SE VA and NE NC, with a sharp cutoff in snow totals to the north. Totals could go from 1” to 6”+ in less than 50 miles. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been adjusted accordingly over these areas. 

•    Strong winds are likely with this storm, especially along the coast where winds may be damaging. Brief whiteout conditions are possible near the VA and NC coasts. A High Wind Warning remains in effect for the immediate coastline of SE VA/NE NC. A Wind Advisory continues across portions of the VA Tidewater, interior NE NC, and the Lower MD Eastern Shore.

•    Very cold wind chills are expected today continuing into Sunday with the coldest wind chills tonight into early Sunday where wind chills below 0 degrees are possible area-wide. Cold Weather Advisories are in effect today and Extreme Cold Warnings have been issued for SE VA and NE NC from Saturday night into Sunday morning. Cold Weather Advisories are in effect tonight-early Sunday morning farther NW where criteria is lower.

•    Moderate to locally major tidal flooding is expected Sunday, especially in the lower Chesapeake Bay and SE VA/NE NC coast. Beach and dune erosion are also likely. Due to very cold temperatures, any tidal flooding could freeze to road surfaces. Coastal Flood Warnings are in effect for Norfolk/Chesapeake, VA Beach, Northampton County VA and Eastern Currituck County. Coastal Flood Advisories have been issued for the James and up the Atlantic coast to Ocean City, MD.

•    Marine Weather - Storm Warnings remain in effect for all of the coastal waters, Chesapeake Bay south of Windmill Point, and Currituck Sound tonight-Sun with Gale Warnings in effect for the upper rivers and bay north of Windmill Point. Small Craft Advisories are in effect everywhere starting tonight. Heavy Freezing Spray Warnings remain in effect for the bay, Lower James, and northern coastal waters from tonight-Sun AM. Freezing Spray Advisories have been issued for the rest of the waters.

To view the full briefing from the National Weather Service visit https://www.weather.gov/media/akq/briefings/LatestBriefing.pdf

The high tide at Messick Point for Sunday is forecasted for 8:29AM and is expected to be in the moderate flood stage range.