RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Bob McDonnell is advising executive branch agencies to be flexible with nonessential state employees when it comes to work arrangements if a winter storm slams Virginia.

McDonnell said in a statement Tuesday he has asked state agencies to allow eligible employees to work remotely or to be generous when it comes to leave requests on Wednesday. That’s when a storm is expected to dump up to a foot of snow in northern and western part of the state.

While McDonnell said computer models vary on the path and severity of the storm, he said heavy snow and high winds are “on the way” for many Virginians.

He also said the state’s emergency operations center will open Wednesday to coordinate the state’s response.

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