More snow forecast for Tuesday

Just as Lynchburg-area residents finish digging out from the third major snowstorm in two months, another is on its way.

The storm moving into the area overnight is much smaller than this weekend’s, carrying with it the potential of less than an inch of accumulation, according to the National Weather Service.

The almost back-to-back storms have left more than a foot of snow still on the ground in some areas, and Lynchburg’s Public Works crews took a brief rest Sunday night in preparation for plowing and salting the roads once again tonight, said Dave Owen, the city’s public works director.

By Sunday afternoon, public works crews finished plowing residential streets, Owen said. The primary and secondary roads are clean and in great shape, he said.

“There are some icy spots that we are watching and we will put sand down on, if needed for traction,” Owen said. “Residents still need to watch for icy spots.”

The city’s equipment is being checked by mechanics today to ensure that the spreaders, blades and plows are all ready for the next batch of inclement weather, Owen said. Salt reserves have been restocked as well.

“Everyone held up really well, as did our equipment,” Owen said.

Appalachian Power reports that power remains out for about 20,000 residents, with the majority of those outages in Henry County. None are in the Lynchburg area.

Power was restored to all residents in Lynchburg and the surrounding counties by 10 a.m. Sunday.

Friday’s storm dumped seven inches in Lynchburg, according to the National Weather service, bringing the season’s snow total to 31.9 inches. This winter is just more than two inches shy of becoming the 10th snowiest winter on record.

The record for the season with the most snow belongs to the winter of 1995-96, which brought the city 56.8 inches of snow.

Dennis Sleighter, of the National Weather Service, said some of the details of the forecast for the coming storm are still being determined.

“This storm is coming in a different way, from the west rather than swinging from the south,” Sleighter said. “It will be a quick system with less potential for accumulated snow.”

The National Weather Service forecast shows that snow is likely before 2 p.m. Tuesday, after which it will transition to rain. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent, with up to a quarter inch possible.

Then the system will turn back to snow Tuesday night until about 1 a.m. The chance of precipitation is 70 percent, with up to a quarter inch possible.

On Wednesday, there is a chance of snow, mixing with rain in the afternoon before dying out.

School is closed today in Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties and is one hour late for Lynchburg City students.