Smithfield could see snow this weekend, but ice is more likely, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS forecast for Smithfield calls for a “wintry mix” and low of 31 degrees Sunday night going into Monday between 1-4 a.m., which is expected to change to rain.

An NWS alert states a broad mid- to upper-level vortex centered across eastern Canada is supporting a cold weather pattern going into the weekend across large swaths of the continental United States spanning from the Northern to Central Plains to the east coast.

“We’re not expecting much snow down toward the Smithfield area; maybe up to half an inch of snow,” said NWS Wakefield Station Meteorologist Harry Thomas. “Right now, we’re looking between zero to a tenth of an inch of ice and then switching over to rain.”

Precipitation is projected to start Sunday evening and continue into early Tuesday morning.

Surry County’s forecast calls for a chance of flurries overnight going into Saturday and snow, freezing rain and sleet before 1 a.m. Monday. Surry’s forecast calls for a low of 24 degrees Friday night going into Saturday, 17 degrees on Saturday going into Sunday, and 29 degrees Sunday night going into Monday.

It’s been nearly three years since Smithfield saw its last measurable snowfall, which occurred overnight Jan. 21 to 22, 2022.

The Virginia Department of Transportation, in a Jan. 3 news release, said its crews will start pretreating the Hampton Roads District’s interstates and state-maintained primary roads on Jan. 4 until sunset, and resuming on Sunday, Jan. 5, until complete. VDOT is urging drivers to stay alert for slow-moving, mobile operations this weekend, as slower speeds are required to apply pretreatment to the roads.

VDOT is advising motorists to travel as needed on Saturday and to monitor changing weather and road conditions while being prepared to limit non-essential travel Sunday should road conditions warrant it.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin, on Friday, declared a preemptive state of emergency.

“I am declaring a state of emergency for the incoming winter storm currently forecasted to impact Virginia starting Sunday, and I’m encouraging all Virginians, visitors, and travelers to stay alert, monitor the weather forecast, and prepare now for any potential impacts,” Youngkin said in a news release. “Given the current projected size of the storm, if your post-holiday travel plans have you leaving Sunday, I encourage you to adjust those plans to leave on Saturday. If you find yourself needing to be on the roadways, please heed any warnings and make sure you are keeping yourselves and others safe. Our pre-treating preparations are underway and substantial state and local resources will continue to actively monitor the forecast and respond through the weekend.”