EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
On our flight to CHO we were on midfield downwind for Runway 3 when we received a 'terrain; terrain; pull up' command. I told the Pilot Flying that we have to comply because we are in IMC. The Pilot Flying promptly disengaged the autopilot and started a climb; and we both decided to level off at 4;000 feet. The MSA on the sector we were on was 2;000 feet. I advised ATC and he also mentioned that the MSA was 2;000 feet. We were then given further vectors to join the final approach course and landed without incident.
EMB-145LR Captain reported climbing in response to a GPWS terrain alert in IMC conditions on downwind at CHO.