A wintry mess was bearing down on mid-Atlantic states Tuesday with forecasts of significant snow and ice accumulations prompting warnings of potential power outages. The National Weather Service said travel would become treacherous Tuesday through early Wednesday in much of Virginia and West Virginia.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for most of Northern Virginia Tuesday into Wednesday, and a winter storm warning across central Virginia and parts of the Piedmont.

The National Weather Service forecasts predict snow, freezing rain, ice, and excessive rainfall that may cause flooding, power outages, and hazardous travel.