Update Issued For VA Winter Storm: See Latest Timing, Snow Totals

A winter storm warning remains in place in Virginia from Saturday night through Monday morning as forecasters predict several inches of snow and ice could blanket the Washington, D.C. region. Virginia officials have declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.

In a new storm forecast released Saturday morning, the National Weather Service said the D.C. region will likely see less snowfall than originally anticipated. Regardless, the storm will still have significant impacts across the state and dangerous ice remains a concern.

"A large area of precipitation will overrun Arctic air in place over the Mid-Atlantic, which will lead to widespread significant snow beginning Saturday evening, with the potential for ice Sunday, especially south of Highway 50 and near and east of Interstate 95," National Weather Service forecasters wrote. "Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible."

• RELATED: Storm Alters Work Schedule For DC-Area Federal Employees On Monday

A winter storm warning is in effect for the entire state. In Northern Virginia, the warning goes into effect at 11 p.m. Saturday until 4 a.m. Monday.

According to the National Weather Service, snow will likely spread across the region Saturday night, becoming heavy at times with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour possible.

A mix of sleet or freezing rain is expected on Sunday. Significant icing is possible, especially south of Highway 50. Visibility of one-quarter mile or less is possible at times.

The National Weather Service said the region will likely see total snow and sleet accumulations between 7 and 14 inches, with the highest amounts in the far northern and western suburbs of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Ice accumulations between one and two tenths of an inch are expected, but areas south of D.C. could see close to 0.25 inches.

If freezing rain accumulates to more than 0.25 inches, impacts could become significant.

"The weight of freezing rain can snap tree limbs and power lines, leading to power outages," The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang wrote. "Most projections for the Beltway area suggest 0.1 to 0.3 inches, but some areas could see more — particularly from around Fredericksburg into Southern Maryland, where the risk of disruptive amounts of ice is growing."

Travel will be hazardous to near impossible, and at times may be life-threatening, throughout the weekend, said state officials.

In addition to snow and ice, a prolonged period of wind chills in the teens and single digits is expected to continue Saturday evening and last through the middle of next week, with sub-zero wind chills possible at times.

Cold weather advisories were also issued across much of the area and are expected to expire at noon Saturday.

• RELATED: How To Prepare, Safety Tips For VA Weekend Winter Storm

On Thursday, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency ahead of this weekend's winter storm, which allows for state agencies and resources to be on standby across the Commonwealth.

"I am asking all Virginians to spend this time getting prepared for this incoming storm and to stay off the roads," Spanberger said. "This will allow not only for the safety and security of our neighbors, but for faster clearing of roads and ensure greater safety during what we expect will be the most dangerous times on the roads."

VDOT said crews will begin plowing once two inches of snow has fallen. The priority order for snow removal is interstates, primaries, secondaries, and eventually neighborhood roads.

VDOT Northern Virginia also did a full pretreatment of the roads with salt brine on Friday. Brine helps prevent the bonding of snow and ice to the pavement at the beginning of a storm, allowing crews time to respond.

Follow @vadotnova and @NWS_BaltWash for real-time updates.

Here's a look at the detailed National Weather Service for the D.C. area:

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 22. North wind 7 to 11 mph.

Saturday Night: Snow, mainly after 11pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 18. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Sunday: Snow and sleet before 1pm, then freezing rain and sleet, possibly mixed with snow. The sleet could be heavy at times. High near 28. Northeast wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Sunday Night: Freezing rain and sleet before 1am, then a chance of freezing rain between 1am and 4am, then a chance of snow and freezing rain after 4am. Low around 22. North wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.2 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday: A chance of snow before 7am, then a chance of snow showers between 7am and 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 5.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 23.