HARRISONBURG VA: (Rocktown Now) – The Shenandoah Valley is bracing for a sharp plunge in temperatures as an Arctic air mass settles over the region, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Cold Weather Advisory from 7 p.m. tonight through 11 a.m. Thursday.
The advisory includes Augusta and Rockingham counties, along with neighboring areas of northern and western Virginia. Wind chills across the Valley are expected to fall as low as 9 degrees below zero, posing risks for anyone outdoors for extended periods.


Wind Chills Could Reach Dangerous Levels
Forecasters warn that the brutal combination of single‑digit temperatures and biting winds could produce rapid frostbite and hypothermia if skin is left exposed.
“These are temperatures where even brief exposure can be dangerous,” officials said. “Residents should take precautions and limit outdoor activity when possible.”
Cold Pattern to Continue
The Shenandoah Valley will remain locked in the Arctic air mass through the end of the week, and additional cold weather alerts are likely as temperatures struggle to climb above freezing.
Local emergency personnel are urging residents to take the cold seriously. Overnight lows are expected to plunge into the teens, with wind chills staying well below zero during the early morning hours.

How Residents Can Stay Safe
Authorities recommend the following precautions as the cold sets in:

Dress in layers, and cover hands, ears, and face when outdoors.

Bring pets indoors whenever possible; outdoor animals need warm, dry, insulated shelter with access to unfrozen water.

Check on elderly neighbors and family members, who may be more vulnerable to the cold.

Use space heaters safely, keeping them away from fabrics and never leaving them unattended.

Avoid using generators, grills, or fuel‑burning devices inside, due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Local officials also encourage residents to monitor updates from the National Weather Service as frigid air continues to grip the Valley.