Comments on: Chilly with bright sunshine today. All eyes on another coastal storm next week?

By: Kevin Myatt

Kevin Myatt — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:11:40 +0000

She could be on to something if coastal lows keep following tracks similar to Sandy, last week’s nor’easter and what the Euro/GFS are now showing for next week’s storm.

In 2004 and 2010 there were big snowstorms that affected the immediate Virginia Beach area around Christmas but didn’t penetrate much inland.

By: Doug Griggs, SW ROA County, 1420 Ft

Doug Griggs, SW ROA County, 1420 Ft — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:07:16 +0000

Kathryn, your prediction IS impressive!! I figured that special locations like Mount Rogers, Mountain Lake, Burke’s Garden, the Bluefield/Tazewell area, and the high spots in Bath (like Ingalls Field, elev. 3700+) and Highland County get at least a foot of snow from one storm about every two or three years. Not including places like Wise and Grundy, in really far SW. But you are forecasting a coastal biggie. And I agree with you in that if it happens, the first half of this winter is a prime candidate. Surface air is MUCH, MUCH colder than most other Novembers, and especially for the eastern regions of the Old Dominion. It could even happen late this month. More on that (return of the very negative NAO, and this time its companion the AO) on the other thread.
Thanks for clarifying.

By: wdbrand

wdbrand — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:13:24 +0000

Yea, I know it’s the mounteens that cause it, but a blow hole jest has a better ring to it. I’ve seen it jump me coming off Poor Mt. several times and it normally jumps Rke. also. Most of the time tho, I’ll get some downslope snow[heavy squalls/showers] off the mounteen that Rke. don’t get, and usually more.

By: Kevin Myatt

Kevin Myatt — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:19:20 +0000

Interesting graphic/article in USA Today comparing 2012 drought to Dust Bowl. Hint: Dust Bowl wins big.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2012/11/13/dust-bowl-drought/1691507/

By: Kevin Myatt

Kevin Myatt — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:05:59 +0000

I suppose the term “snow hole” is relative. The snow measuring station for Roanoke — WDBJ, near the airport — often seems to be a couple inches less in wet snow events than what people report in many other parts of Roanoke. And of course the valley here is surrounded by higher elevation that tend to get more snow, especially when borderline temperatures are a factor. Would suspect Reagan National gets a hefty urban heat island effect, and of course it is all built in what used to be a swamp.

By: Other John

Other John — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:02:29 +0000

I’m getting ready to head up to the land of traffic jams…Fairfax County. Hopefully by the time I return, at least one area will be improved. I do wish it was forecast to be warmer up there tomorrow…it’s going to be kind of chilly in the morning when I start field work…

By: I'm in DC

I'm in DC — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:53:37 +0000

I think Reagan National Airport is in a snow hole. Not uncommon for the “official” snow total for DC (as measured at DCA) to be substantially less than what folks a very short distance north and west actually pick up.

By: Brian - Goodview (1020')

Brian - Goodview (1020') — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:43:32 +0000

We received .13 inches of rain before midnight Monday, then another .16 after midnight in Goodview. This morning we had a nice frosty low of 26. There was a strange temperature change at my Dad’s place in Jordantown last night. It dropped to 32.7 by 7:57, then 40 minutes later it was up to 42.5. An hour later it was back down to 35.6. His low this morning was 24.6

By: pistol pete

pistol pete — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:40:08 +0000

18 in Eastern Giles this morning.

By: Kevin Myatt

Kevin Myatt — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:31:46 +0000

Interesting that even with the refigured 1981-2010 norms, Roanoke averages slightly more snow per year than Washington D.C. Reagan National (16.6 inches compared to 15.4), but a little less than Dulles and BWI (both in the 20-22 range).

Lynchburg’s norm is close to 13 inches and Danville drops off all the way to 5 inches. Richmond is near a foot.

Blacksburg’s normal snowfall is 25.4 inches.