Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect through 7 a.m. Saturday for most of the region. The Warnings will continue into the afternoon for the western slopes of the mountains.

Brisk northwest winds will carry cold air into Southwest and Central Virginia over the next several days. Mostly to partly sunny skies will be overhead on Thursday. Expect temperatures to start in the sub-freezing 20s and lower 30s before rising into the chilly 30s and 40s by the afternoon.

This system will start initially as snowfall Friday afternoon and evening; however, freezing rain and sleet will mix in with the snow Friday night due to warmer air in the upper levels of the atmosphere.

The winter weather advisory takes effect at 6 a.m. Thursday. Forecasters say 2-4 inches of snow could fall, with some sleet mixed in at the outset of the storm.