DANVILLE, Va. – Freezing rain is expected in the Danville area throughout the day Thursday, with a half-inch accumulation possible by nightfall.

Blacksburg meteorologist Reggie Roakes says the National Weather Service is projecting a total ice accumulation of up to three-quarters-of-an-inch for the Dan River Region. The outskirts of the city and the surrounding counties can expect higher amounts.

He said it does not appear the frozen precipitation will transition to rain by late day, with more freezing rain or sleet in the forecast Thursday night. No additional accumulation is expected overnight.

Roakes says the storm will exit Southside on Friday, with a chance of mixed precipitation in the morning. That will end by 1 p.m. and sunny skies and above freezing temperatures are expected to return by Friday afternoon.

He cautions that icing on trees and power lines may lead to downed trees and extended outages. Last weekend, the area received a quarter-inch of ice, which left more than 20,000 customers in the Danville Utilities service territory without power.

Fire departments in Pittsylvania County will remain open as warming stations for those without power. Pittsylvania County leaders are also considering opening shelters for those who experience extended outages in the latest storm.

Roakes cautions that travel could be hazardous on Thursday and, again, Friday morning as precipitation refreezes overnight. He is advising motorists to stay off the roads.

Danville Public Works crews were on the job Wednesday night and remain on duty to monitor street conditions and apply salt on major thoroughfares, bridges, and overpasses.