Richmond, VA Weather: Snow, Bitter Cold, and a Wave of School Delays and Closures
Central Virginia is waking up to a legit winter day. Snow arrived early Monday, Dec. 8, with temperatures stuck near or just below freezing and wind chills making it feel much colder. Light to moderate bursts have produced slick travel, and a wide swath of schools across and south of the Richmond metro moved to close or delay. Another round of lighter snow is possible before skies gradually clear late day, setting up the coldest night of the season so far.
Richmond VA weather forecast: Snow totals, timing, and dangerous cold
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Today (Mon, Dec. 8): Periods of snow tapering this afternoon. Daytime temps hover 32–34°F with a northerly breeze 10–15 mph, gusts to 20+ mph. Most communities in and near the city can expect 1–3 inches, with locally 2–4 inches possible where bands linger longer—especially east and south of I-64. Untreated roads, bridges, and overpasses will be slick.
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This evening/tonight: Any lingering flurries fade early. Clouds break late. Temperatures plummet to the teens in outlying suburbs and around 17–20°F in the city, producing refreeze/black ice concerns on side streets and neighborhood hills.
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Tuesday (Dec. 9): Brighter but still cold. Highs only mid/upper 30s with a lighter breeze—enough for some melting on treated surfaces, but shaded areas stay icy.
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Midweek: A brief moderation Wednesday (upper 40s) before another shot of seasonable chill late week. Small, low-confidence chances for light snow showers return late week; no significant storm signal right now.
Why it matters: The combination of accumulating snow, subfreezing air, and evening refreeze creates an all-day travel hazard. Even where totals underperform, the cold guarantees whatever falls sticks on untreated pavement.
School delays and closures around Richmond and Central Virginia
Many districts opted to play it safe given pre-dawn snow and rapidly cooling roads. By mid-morning, the list included a long run of closures in rural and coastal-plain counties and delayed openings for some government offices. Among the communities reporting changes:
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Closed: Dinwiddie County Public Schools; King & Queen County Public Schools; Middlesex County Schools; Northumberland County Schools; Nottoway County Schools; several private and specialty schools in the metro.
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Delayed or adjusted schedules: Select county governments and courts in the region (e.g., New Kent opening late; Nottoway Circuit Court on a two-hour delay). Some North Carolina border counties adjusted midday dismissal as snowfall expanded.
Status boards continue to update through the morning. Families should monitor official district alerts and direct communications for the final word on after-school activities, which are widely canceled today.
Richmond travel impacts and what to expect on the roads
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Morning commute: Slushy to snow-covered side streets with improving primary routes where crews have been active. Visibility briefly reduced in snow bursts. Allow extra braking distance and go slow on ramps and bridges.
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Midday: Improving conditions on treated arterials, but shaded neighborhoods stay slick. If you can shift errands to early afternoon, you’ll catch the best window.
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Evening commute: Watch for refreeze as temperatures plunge. Any slush becomes solid ice after sunset.
What to watch for next: temperature crash and black ice risk
The bigger story after the flakes is the deep chill. Overnight lows in the teens will freeze wet surfaces hard, including sidewalks and parking lots. Even with Tuesday sun, many colder pockets won’t thaw fully. Rock-salt, sand, and patience will do more than speed today.
Quick planner for Richmond (ET)
| Time (Mon) | Weather | Temp | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7–10 a.m. | Snow, occasional moderate bursts | 31–33°F | Slick roads, reduced visibility |
| 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Light snow tapering | 32–34°F | Gradual improvement on treated roads |
| 2–6 p.m. | Flurries ending, cloudy | 30–32°F | Refreeze begins on untreated surfaces |
| Tonight | Clearing, frigid | 17–20°F | Widespread black ice |
Tips for families following closings and delays
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Rely on official channels: District emails/texts, posted dashboards, and direct school messaging carry the official status. Expect updates on after-school activities to follow the midday road assessment.
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Build in extra time: Buses and car lines may move slower. Dress students for single-digit wind chills at stops.
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Plan for Tuesday morning: Even with sun, some routes remain slick early. Keep footwear with grip and use handrails on steps and ramps.
Richmond VA
Snow today, light to moderate at times, leaves 1–3 inches (locally up to 4"), enough to disrupt schedules and slick up untreated roads. The fiercest hazard arrives tonight as temperatures nosedive into the teens, locking in black ice for the Tuesday morning start. Many schools closed or delayed today; keep an eye on official notifications for any late changes and for Tuesday decisions in the cold wake of this quick-hitting storm.
