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Richmond, VA – Last year, 51 tornadoes hit Virginia, the second highest number on record. To encourage tornado awareness and safety, Governor Bob McDonnell has proclaimed March 20 as Tornado Preparedness Day in the Commonwealth.

On March 20, businesses and organizations, schools and colleges, and families and individuals are encouraged to practice taking cover from tornadoes by participating in the Statewide Tornado Drill, set for 9:45 a.m. At that time, the National Weather Service will send a test tornado warning that will trigger a tone alert and broadcast message on NOAA Weather Radio. The message will be picked up by TV and radio broadcasters, simulating what listeners would hear during an actual tornado warning. Read more »

From the Roanoke County Public Schools website:

A tornado watch is in effect until 10 p.m. for much of Southwest Virginia, including Roanoke County. Read more on Kevin Myatt’s Weather Journal blog.

From the watch:

TORNADOES…HAIL TO 1 INCH IN DIAMETER…THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH…AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS. …

REMEMBER…A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

Loren Wright of Roanoke sent in these photos of a tree that fell at Buck Run Apartments. Loren writes:

“During the strong winds Friday night, at 3 a.m. we heard a loud noise behind our bedroom wall that woke us up. The next morning I investigated and as suspected, a tree had fallen down and hit the building! It was a dead tree so no damage was done. Another tree has also snapped and is cradled on top of another.”

Thanks, Loren!

Share your photos by emailing news@swo-co.com or upload up to 10 photos at a time using the share tool at the right of this page.

Hannah and William Underwood and Jackson and Maggie Simmons--along with dog Molly!--play in the snow. Photo courtesy of Christy Underwood.

Christy Underwood shares this photo and says:

Hannah and William Underwood have a blast building a snowman with their friends Jackson and Maggie Simmons. The Simmons’ dog Molly even joined in on the fun. It was a beautiful day to be playing in the snow.

Thanks, Christy!

Do you have snow photos to share? Email us at news@swo-co.com or upload up to 10 photos at a time using the share tool at the right of this page.

Share your snow photos by emailing news@swo-co.com or upload up to 10 photos by using the share tool at the right of this page.

Other snow photos we have:
* Emma and Jacob Farris have a snow day
* Snow photos by Tim Thornhill
* Gordie Ziegler shares views from a snowy McAfee’s Knob
* Sharon Sweeney shares more snow photos from The Gardens
* Ann Mendes shares photo of snowy railroad trestle over Penn Forest Blvd.
* T.J. Witten shares time-lapse video of the snow falling
* “San” shares snow photos around Southwest Roanoke County
* The Gold’s Gym snowman
* Chuck Lionberger shares photo of a snowy Roanoke Valley at sunrise
* The Buckles go sledding
* Chris Jones shares photos of weather-related accident on Garst Mill Road
* T.J. Witten shares snow photos around Southwest Roanoke County
* The Buckles have snow fun in Fishburn Park
* Shannon Sweeney shares snow photos from The Gardens
* Snow scenes from Loren Wright
* The Downies and friend have snow fun in The Gardens
* Taylor Brown shows trees waiting for snow

Nan Fariss shares these photos and says:

Finally, the snow! Emma Fariss, 2, and Jacob Fariss, 6, with a snowman and on a sleigh.

Share your snow photos by emailing news@swo-co.com or upload up to 10 photos by using the share tool at the right of this page.

Other snow photos we have:
* Snow photos by Tim Thornhill
* Gordie Ziegler shares views from a snowy McAfee’s Knob
* Sharon Sweeney shares more snow photos from The Gardens
* Ann Mendes shares photo of snowy railroad trestle over Penn Forest Blvd.
* T.J. Witten shares time-lapse video of the snow falling
* “San” shares snow photos around Southwest Roanoke County
* The Gold’s Gym snowman
* Chuck Lionberger shares photo of a snowy Roanoke Valley at sunrise
* The Buckles go sledding
* Chris Jones shares photos of weather-related accident on Garst Mill Road
* T.J. Witten shares snow photos around Southwest Roanoke County
* The Buckles have snow fun in Fishburn Park
* Shannon Sweeney shares snow photos from The Gardens
* Snow scenes from Loren Wright
* The Downies and friend have snow fun in The Gardens
* Taylor Brown shows trees waiting for snow

Tim Thornhill shares these photos and says:

Beautiful snow. Had the camera with me as I left work at the VA. The grounds there as well as the drive home was fantastic!

Thanks, Tim!

Share your nature photos by emailing news@swo-co.com or upload up to 10 photos at a time using the share tool at the right of this page.

Other snow photos we have:
* Gordie Ziegler shares views from a snowy McAfee’s Knob
* Sharon Sweeney shares more snow photos from The Gardens
* Ann Mendes shares photo of snowy railroad trestle over Penn Forest Blvd.
* T.J. Witten shares time-lapse video of the snow falling
* “San” shares snow photos around Southwest Roanoke County
* The Gold’s Gym snowman
* Chuck Lionberger shares photo of a snowy Roanoke Valley at sunrise
* The Buckles go sledding
* Chris Jones shares photos of weather-related accident on Garst Mill Road
* T.J. Witten shares snow photos around Southwest Roanoke County
* The Buckles have snow fun in Fishburn Park
* Shannon Sweeney shares snow photos from The Gardens
* Snow scenes from Loren Wright
* The Downies and friend have snow fun in The Gardens
* Taylor Brown shows trees waiting for snow

Weather Journal blogger Kevin Myatt sent a couple of photos from this afternoon’s storm, taken along Virginia 419 near Tanglewood Mall. You can view them above or here.

Here is more from Kevin’s blog about the tornado watch that runs until 4 p.m.

Send any storm photos you’d like to share to news@swo-co.com.

Gordie Zeigler shares these photos of the view of Sunday’s snow from McAfee’s Knob, taken on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012.

Thanks, Gordie!

We want to see your snow pictures too! Share your weather and nature photos by emailing news@swo-co.com or upload up to 10 photos at a time using the share tool at the right of this page.

You can share your snow photos at news@swo-co.com or use the “share” tool to upload 10 at a time.

Other snow photos we have:
* Sharon Sweeney shares more snow photos from The Gardens
* Ann Mendes shares photo of snowy railroad trestle over Penn Forest Blvd.
* T.J. Witten shares time-lapse video of the snow falling
* “San” shares snow photos around Southwest Roanoke County
* The Gold’s Gym snowman
* Chuck Lionberger shares photo of a snowy Roanoke Valley at sunrise
* The Buckles go sledding
* Chris Jones shares photos of weather-related accident on Garst Mill Road
* T.J. Witten shares snow photos around Southwest Roanoke County
* The Buckles have snow fun in Fishburn Park
* Shannon Sweeney shares snow photos from The Gardens
* Snow scenes from Loren Wright
* The Downies and friend have snow fun in The Gardens
* Taylor Brown shows trees waiting for snow

Shannon Sweeney shares these photos and says, “The snow stopped, but the fun didn’t!”

Thanks, Shannon!

Sledding in the Gardens pictures include Grant Wilson, Kasey Skaff, Logan Skaff, Joey Sesler, Jeff Sesler, Jenna Selser, Owen Sweeney and Greg Sweeney.

Share your winter weather photos by emailing news@swo-co.com or upload up to 10 photos at a time using the share tool at the right of this page.

You can share your snow photos at news@swo-co.com or use the “share” tool to upload 10 at a time.

Other snow photos we have:
* Ann Mendes shares photo of snowy railroad trestle over Penn Forest Blvd.
* T.J. Witten shares time-lapse video of the snow falling
* “San” shares snow photos around Southwest Roanoke County
* The Gold’s Gym snowman
* Chuck Lionberger shares photo of a snowy Roanoke Valley at sunrise
* The Buckles go sledding
* Chris Jones shares photos of weather-related accident on Garst Mill Road
* T.J. Witten shares snow photos around Southwest Roanoke County
* The Buckles have snow fun in Fishburn Park
* Shannon Sweeney shares snow photos from The Gardens
* Snow scenes from Loren Wright
* The Downies and friend have snow fun in The Gardens
* Taylor Brown shows trees waiting for snow