Environment and Outdoors
Be prepared for the possibility of slippery going Saturday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the region that goes into effect early tomorrow and run through late morning. Sleet and freezing rain are expected overnight before changing to all rain around mid-morning Saturday.
From the National Weather Service:
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 11 AM EST SATURDAY.
A warm front will overrun a shallow cold air mass and produce a period of sleet and freezing rain late tonight and into Saturday morning. As surface temperatures gradually warm above freezing Saturday, mixed precipitation will change to all rain.
* WHAT…Mixed precipitation expected. Total sleet accumulations of a tenth of an inch or less and ice accumulations of less than a quarter inch expected.
* WHERE…The Greenbrier Valley and Alleghany Highlands, and New River Valley, east to the piedmont of Virginia, including Roanoke and Lynchburg.
* WHEN…From 1 AM to 11 AM EST Saturday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Plan on slippery road conditions. This Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of sleet and freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Expect slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has halted a permit for construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Wednesday that the Corps suspended a permit for crossing streams. The pipeline is slated to carry natural gas through the states of West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. The suspension follows a court decision that halted the permit for water crossings in two West Virginia counties. Environmental groups have raised concerns about aquatic life and water quality. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in the case in January. Dominion, one of the companies behind the project, said it volunteered to halt the project as issues are resolved before the court. The company said it does not expect the project’s schedule to be affected.
As the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center deals with ongoing attorney costs, a fundraiser is planned for Monday at the Tanglewood Buffalo Wild Wings. WFIR’s Ian Price has details on why the fundraiser is necessary:
The Bedford Regional Water Authority wants customers to recycle the fat and grease from holiday meals — and not pour it down the drain where it can congeal and create clogs and backups. So the authority is distributing “grease buckets” tomorrow at locations in Moneta, Bedford and Forest — asking customers to use them instead of the drain Thanksgiving Day — then return the buckets the next day, dubbed “Grease Friday”. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story:
From the National Weather Service: WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
Wintry mess expected Wednesday Night into Thursday. Low pressure over the Gulf Coast will stay west of the Appalachians Wednesday night into Thursday, while another low forms off the coast of South Carolina. At the same time, cold high pressure will wedge southward into our area keeping temperatures at or below freezing at and near the surface. This will result in a threat of freezing rain and sleet Wednesday night into Thursday.
Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Roanoke-Patrick-
Franklin-Mercer-Including the cities of West Jefferson, Sparta, Dobson, Boone, Wilkesboro, Tazewell, Marion, Bland, Pearisburg, Wytheville, Radford, Pulaski, Blacksburg, Independence, Whitetop, Troutdale, Volney, Galax, Floyd, Roanoke, Salem, Stuart, Rocky Mount, and Bluefield.
* WHAT…Light to moderate icing possible. Total ice accumulations of a quarter to three three tenths of an inch possible.
* WHERE…Portions of southwest and west central Virginia, north central and northwest North Carolina and southeast West
Virginia.
* WHEN…From Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Although road surfaces will be warm, some slick spots could occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.
Crews responded to a fire early this morning in the 3300-block of View Avenue in the Cave Spring area of Roanoke County. Authorities say two adults and two children are displaced and staying with family. First Responders say the residents were awakened by the family pets, shortly before their smoke alarms sounded.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Regulators in Virginia have delayed voting on a permit for a natural gas pumping station in a historic African-American community after raising questions about environmental justice issues.
The Washington Post reports the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board on Friday delayed its vote until Dec. 10.
The pumping station is part of the 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline being built in West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina by a coalition led by Dominion Energy.
Board members questioned environmental officials about whether race and income in the Union Hill community were considered in their recommendation to approve the permit. State law requires that such facilities not have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities.
Officials said they believe stringent air pollution controls would keep the station from emitting harmful levels of gases.
A Virginia Tech professor is tracking air pollution on a bicycle. More from WFIR’s Ian Price:
A local top-40 DJ is leaving the Roanoke area to take on her own syndicated show based out of New Jersey. But you will still be able to hear her in Roanoke, as WFIR’s Ian Price explains:
As a way of celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Clean Valley Council has compiled a yearbook which will feature highlights from the group’s efforts over the years to clean up the Roanoke River and southwest Virginia. More from WFIR’s Clark Palmer: