photo by: Warren Scott

Staff with the West Virginia Division of Highways scoop road salt from a large storage facility at its Wellsburg garage. Many state and local road crews were preparing Friday for heavy snowfall predicted by the National Weather Service.

WHEELING — This weekend’s snowstorm could be one that people tell stories about to their future children and grandchildren.

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh anticipates this weekend’s snowfall could be the “storm of the century” with the Wheeling area forecast to see more than a foot of snow.

“If you want exact numbers, there’s a 95% chance you will see eight inches of snow. The high-end amounts, there’s an 80% overall of 10-18 inches. Most likely, there will be 12-15 inches,” NWS Pittsburgh meteorologist Colton Milcarek said on Friday.

The NWS Pittsburgh has issued a winter storm warning for the region starting at 7 p.m. today, Jan. 24, to noon Monday.

“This could be one of the bigger storms of the century,” he said. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen a storm like this. The largest daily snowfall is 11.4 inches this century, and this storm could exceed that.”

The snowfall, which will switch back and forth from light to wet and heavy, is expected to begin late today. Most of the snowfall will happen on Sunday, Jan. 25, and taper off Monday.

At times the snowfall rate could hit two inches per hour.

The frigid temperatures of near zero, with wind chills of 10 to 15 degrees below zero this morning, will also play a role in how long the snow will stay on the ground.

“The impacts could linger into Monday and Tuesday,” Milcarek said. “There will be major impacts on life and transportation. If you find yourself out in the elements, it could be life-threatening. It’s best to stay inside. If you have electric power, power outages are possible. Have extra blankets on standby and a generator to last through the storm.”

He also recommends that people have working carbon monoxide detectors to prevent CO poisoning.

“Stay inside if you can. Change travel plans if you are out and about,” Milcarek said.

He also said the heavier wet snow could cause tree branches to break and fall onto powerlines.

“For younger people, this could be the biggest storm in their lifetime. Be safe and take all the precautions you can,” he added. “This is rare, but very impactful.”

Milcarek noted that ice is “fairly unlikely,” but there is a chance of there being some ice pellets mixed in with the snow.

Steve Johnston, operations superintendent for the City of Wheeling, said the city will have 11 crews plowing and treating streets at any one time during the storm.

“We started preparing four days ago,” he said. “We’ve gone through 700 tons of salt this year, but we’ve been lucky enough to have backfill orders since then.”

Johnston said crews will be working 12-hour shifts to try and keep up with the snowfall.

“It’s going to be hard on the crews, but we don’t have an infinite amount of equipment. All we do have is prepped thanks to vehicle maintenance,” he said, adding the mechanics will also be on hand during the storm as well.

Johnston said crews will be trying to hit all areas of the city, but frequently traveled streets, inclines and intersections are typically treated first.

He noted crews will have to get refills of salt and cinder at the operations center during the storm as well. And, at times, police or EMS need to be escorted by a crew to the scene of a call for service or accident.

“We’re going to be going through a lot of product in the next few days,” he said. “It’s going to be difficult and challenging. Please be patient; we have a lot to do.”

Dave Ivan, director of the Belmont County Emergency Management Agency, said his office has been coordinating with local first responders regarding the storm. Once the storm begins, Ivan said people should stay home.

“If you don’t have to go out, don’t,” he said. “We’re going to get the snow and then we’re going to be dealing with extreme cold temperatures. That’s an issue itself.”

While higher elevations tend to get more snow, Ivan said during this storm everyone will be getting several inches of snow and, at times, it will be falling at a rate of 1.5 inches per hour. It will be a challenge for all road crews.

“Trying to keep up with it is tough,” he added.

Tom Hart, director of the Marshall County EMA, said his agency has had several meetings and briefings with local and state first responders and local non-governmental groups, such American Electric Power, regarding preparing for the storm response.

“One of the biggest things is that people need to be prepared to be able to maintain their own personal status for at least 72 to 96 hours,” Hart said. “With heavy snowfall, there are power outages so people need to make sure they have plenty of supplies on hand, especially medications for their family and pets.

“If you have home medical equipment, make sure you are in contact with the home medical supplier and know what they can do to supply assistance. Make sure you have a backup system in place, such as batteries, to supply your medical equipment.”

Hart also urges people to avoid driving during the storm.

“We’re expecting snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour on Sunday. Right now we’re looking at 9-14 inches of snow, give or take, and in higher elevations we could see more. Buckle down and stay in if you can,” he said.