More snow and freezing winds: Richmond's brutal winter week

Driving the news: The imminent 24-hour event prompted Gov. Youngkin on Tuesday afternoon to warn residents to stay home.

• "If you are not where you want to be by midnight tonight, don't go," said Youngkin, who added that last week's state of emergency remains in effect.

The big picture: Richmond could get 4-6 inches of snow between 11am Wednesday and late Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service's Tuesday briefing.

• It's better than what meteorologists predicted over the weekend, with Richmond facing up to a foot of snow — a total not recorded in nearly 30 years.

Yes, but: As of late Tuesday morning, Richmond had a nearly 1 in 5 chance of getting at least 8 inches of snow.

• NWS considers that a low probability, but it's not zero.
• Higher snowfall chances are even likelier in the Hampton Roads area, which could get at least a foot.

Then there's the wind-and-low-temps combo.

• Wednesday and Thursday are our lowest highs, hovering between 26 and 32 degrees. The lows won't be above freezing for the rest of the week.
• Wind gusts will peak at about 23mph Thursday afternoon but continue into Friday.
• That means it might feel like it's 10 degrees on Thursday morning and 6 degrees on Friday.

What they're saying: "It's going to be tough the first few days after the snow, because it is so cold," says local NWS meteorologist Jeff Orrock.

Zoom out: This is tied to a polar vortex-related Arctic outbreak that's bringing frigid conditions to much of the U.S. east of the Rockies this week, reports Axios' Andrew Freedman.

What's next: Richmond's Inclement Weather Shelter at 1900 Chamberlayne is opening from 8am Wednesday to noon on Saturday, Feb. 22 (but only for 66 single men and 44 single women).

• Its overflow weather shelter on 900 E. Marshall St. will be open from 10am Wednesday to Saturday at noon, per the city.
• That one fits 60 people, including families.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.