Snow expected to spread rapidly over SW Virginia by 5 p.m.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT RADAR IMAGES: National Weather Service-Blacksburg radar continues to have technical issues and is operating in “degraded mode.” Therefore weather service radar images and the products based on them, such as the Radar / Future Cast on this blog, may not contain an accurate picture of the extent or intensity of precipitation that is falling.
WINTER STORM WARNING THROUGH 1 AM FRIDAY
We’re about to switch into a new phase with the storm, the one that will eventually lead to widespread and locally heavy snow in Southwest Virginia, according to all available forecast guidance. The radar grab at left shows the position of Roanoke wih the arrow. All of the rain that has gone through so far has been moving northeast, moisture streaming from the Gulf of Mexico, propelled by the circulation around the approaching upper low now in Alabama. We are now in a gap of a bit less rain, with a thick body of rain — and farther north, mixed precipitation and snow — to our west. If you loop our Radar /Future Cast at right, you will notice much of that precipitation is moving north to northwest, while the area itself slowly advances eastward. This is indicative of the upper-low going “negative tilt,” taking on a northwest to southeast orientation, and therefore the upper level winds ahead of it being bent more to the north and northwest. As moisture is drawn northwest, it will spread out against prevailing west/northwest winds behind the storm, creating a shield of precipitation known as a “deformation zone.” 
The surface low was located over Atlanta late this morning (map at left). As it moves east, we’ll be on the colder back side of the precipitation shield, with colder air being pulled southward. This is where the dynamic cooling and some cold air advection will be maximized, and we expect to see rain changing to snow northwest to southeast and from higher elevations to lower elevations through the afternoon. This may happen very rapidly, so don’t be surprised if you hear some distant report of snow and then, suddenly, big flakes are plopping outside your window. NWS-Blacksburg forecasts estimate at 3 p.m. changeover at Blacksburg and 4 p.m. at Roanoke, but those times may vary an hour or two. Most of our region west of the Blue Ridge Parkway probably changes over to snow by 5 p.m., and it will follow suit to the east not long after, if it hasn’t already.
January 17, 2013 - 1:03 PM
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Raining heavily in Abingdon currently. Radar indicated the change to icy precip is occuring in Russell Co just to our North. Temps here in town now down to 34 degrees. Change to snow or ice seems imminent at this point. I believe the potential is for real nasty weather by time to head home. Good excuse to leave early.
Working on the 8th floor in downtown Roanoke. Sounds like some sleet has started mixing in here, based on the noise of it hitting the windows
Snow reported in Wytheville by UPS drivers.
Snowing in Covington and sticking.
A mix now of sleet and snow in Pearisburg…mulch beds are starting to get white.
34.7* here on da Knob. It’s gettin thar.
I’m debating on whether I should attend class from 2pm-5pm. I have a small 4-door and I’d rather not travel with it with slow plastering us. This stuff is going to get messy fast.
Penn Forest, 1,260 ft. 34.9
Sleet on the deck rails just now.
Ice forming now on my deck. Rain still falling. Elevation 2700
Still raining steadily here in my neck of the woods. The ground is mushy and puddled. I keep looking out the window hoping to see some flakes mixed in but so far it’s just rain. It is going to be a slushy wet mess for a while until it all freezes solid!
A few wet ice pellets landed on the car as I pulled in the driveway just now. It’s back to rain now.
What is with the “futurecast” putting a slot of 1-3″ in between Roanoke and Blacksburg? Does it have to do with elevation? Leave it to my little area to get ripped off. =P
Daughter reports that Mtn Lake in Giles County appears white looking up from the valley.
Rain mixed with sleet in Pulaski @1:25
getting some sleet mixed in with the rain in Radford. Small amount freezing on trees.
The temp in Blacksburg has only managed to drop one degree from 37 to 36……..in the past six hours! Just sayin…..
Some sleet starting to come down here in Christiansburg
Snow has been mixing with the rain for 15 minutes now, and the temp has dropped to 33.
Hey Kevin, used to live in Roanoke but took your weather blog with me when I moved to Waynesboro. How do you see things developing up this way? Thanks, as always, for your lively blog.
Thanks to you many kind souls who told me how to find my elevation. This blog is certainly a community!
It is 39 and raining in Salem 1072ft.
Mixin in as I type. 34.3*.
@2850 elev. Just below freezing here, trees icing up, starting to sag. It is NOT snowing yet.
I see the Man of the House (MOTH) took over for me this morning. It is raw out there. Still raining pretty steadily and temps are now down to 33 and have been holding for quite awhile. No ice here, Dave near Copper Hill, WillisRob and IV John. Glad to hear that some of the schools went ahead and cut the day short and are sending the students home early.
I will post when I see the switch over to snow.
There is a little sleet now mixing in out here at work (North Roanoke Co-Hollins exit of I81)
Been sleeting past 10 minutes or so where I live, 1400 feet just south or Roanoke.
Changed from rain/sleet to sleet/snow in Eggleston (Giles County). 31 degrees.
Here in far-South Roanoke, Rte.220 uphill from “Outback,” 1435-feet…
Cold rain, slight breeze, slowly dropping temps. Currently 36-37. The
overall impression one gets is…”it’s just about to snow, very soon.”
Weather Channel (what remains of its once glorious reign) at lease DOES HAVE
its radar loop. That loop shows snow closing-in from West/Northwest.
We are gettin’ ready to have some BIG FUN TODAY YAY!
Sleet starting to mix with the rain in Salem. Bring it on!!!
Not snowing too hard, but BIG FAT FLAKES here in Pearisburg. Snow is sticking…starting to cover neighborhood roads, mulch beds in the yard are almost totally white.
Okay, now it’s just plain snow…
Ice pellets coming down now – Prices Fork area (outskirts of Blacksburg)
50/50 sleet and rain @Bonsack
Sleet mixed with rain here now, 1500′ near the Montgomery/Roanoke Co. line. Collecting on the deck.
Sleeting and ice sticking to the trees here at my location on Bent Mountain.
Freezing rain – one of my least favorite weather events! Come on, snow!!
HEAVY sleet coming down in Radford now
Snowing pretty good here in New Castle. It’s sticking to the grass.
Just started mixing with sleet at work in Woodlawn.
It’s been sleeting here in Craig for about an hour.
Sleet mixing in with the rain in Salem.
DougF – how’s KittyGirl, the Snow Prediction Cat?
snow sleet and rain here in radford
Sleet and rain and 33.
Blacksburg Mike – the official NWS temperature recorded at the VT airport is a few degrees higher than all of the personal weather stations around Blacksburg and Christiansburg, which can be viewed on the Weather Underground. Most reports are 32 to 34 degrees around the NRV.
Sleeting
Just saw first snowflakes in Verona near Staunton. Kind of starting and stopping. Temps have dropped quite a bit since morning. Love the blog.
Snow just started mixing in (Blacksburg Industrial Park @ 2200 ft.
Starting to snow here in Blacksburg just off of Tom’s Creek Road.
And now snowing!
Still just rain in Lynchburg
It’s “raining” large snow flakes near Fincastle!
snow is pounding right now in blackburg! Already stickin to the cars and such!
…no fair…still just rain here in Rocky Mount!
Rain just turned to snow in Mount Tabor area of NE Blacksburg. Big flakes.
1:00 – 35.1
2:00 – 34.5
Sleet is falling in fits and starts here. Can’t seem to get a foothold.
i’m still stuck at work but been told it’s snowing hard close to home in fincastle off 220 (at Brian Center).
This snow lover is happy to report that it started sleeting here in Abingdon minutes ago and now is mixing with snow. It is happening fast.
Snow falling in Blacksburg at Corporate Research Center. The grass is starting to get pretty well covered and the concrete has a thin layer of accumulation as well. The pavement is still just wet, but the snow is increasing.
We have liftoff!!!
2 pm and it is switching over to sleet. Temps down to 32. Coming down fast! Visibility is decreasing dramatically. Sleet pellets bouncing on the ground.
Snow/sleet accumulating quickly on the roads in the industrial park in Blacksburg.
Steady precipitation, but no snow …exposed surfaces icing quickly
and heavy sleet right beside Pepsi plant in hollins/cloverdale area
Alternating snow/sleet & the deck is white w/the mix. 35 degrees still.
Sleeting/snowing hard in downtown Blacksburg. Side street already covering up – thought it would take much longer to stick.
sleet mixed with snow in daleville, 1272′. you rock kevin!
On Bent Mountain: Rain just turned to sleet. A few flakes now falling. Trees coated with thin layer of ice.
Guess here in Greene we can stamp this storm with a big BUST!!!! Oh well maybe we will see a skiff after they had originally callef for 6-10 inches! Weather service shouldnt even issue anything if they are going to be this far off!
Now sleeting here…around 32
Some sleet mixed in with the rain here in the Grandin Village area of Roanoke.
I seem to recall from last year the “correct” term for this combo mixed
precipitation is ‘sneet?’
Rain turned to snow about 20 mins ago in Buena Vista. Coming down fast and pretty heavy. I knew my snow dance would pay off eventually!
Snowing in West Salem!
Finally snowing here on VT campus. Non-pavement surfaces and ground getting dusted.
We’ve had heavy sleet here SW of C’burg between exits 114 and 109 on I81 for the last 40 minutes. The road ways are now covered with a slick layer of slush and the yards are turning white. Temperature is just barely above freezing.
I know this is pretty much now-cast mode, but the most recent run of the RAP(short range model) plasters us with HEAVY snow. Looks very similar to where the SPC issued their mesoscale discussion.
http://www.twisterdata.com/data/models/rap/255/maps/2013/01/17/18/RAP_255_2013011718_F04_CREF_SURFACE.png
Just amazing rainfall amounts this week. THAT IS THE TREMENDOUS NEWS FOR JUST ABOUT ALL OF US. Another 1/2 inch in my gauge since this morning, up to 0.9 since emptying it late yesterday, over 4.6 inches since Monday. I got home from errands at 1:30 pm, and it was basically rain. Just checked the gauge and precip has changed to light sleet, with temp of 36.5*. Gotta feeling that it will drop to 33 or 32 very soon and abruptly. The lawns around here have changed to greenish, but will be white within two hours. When this snow eventually melts (in my front yard, which faces SW), the lawns will be emerald I bet.
Sleet is covering the ground on the side of SWROCO Lost Mnt at 1670ft
Heavy sleet and 35 degrees in Christiansburg
LOOKS like snow starting to mix with both the rain and sleet in Salem… truly a “wintry mix.”
snowing around Hollins now Elev. 1,143
There is now sneet falling at a good clip out there! The ground is starting to turn white!
Jared-the NWS Sterling (Greene Co.) is notorious for over stating snow totals, while the NWS Blacksburg tends to understate. Snowing VERY HEAVILY now in B’burg.
Still mostly rain here, some sleet mixed in. Seems odd that I’m at a higher elevation than most, still have not seen a single snowflake. Maybe because I’m further south…
Snowing in roanoke county/peters creek
Mostly wet snow in Bonsack just changed over
Sleet & ice beginning to accumulate on the porch railings, lots of ponding in the pasture and Greasy Creek is out of its banks and running fast.
Currently here in far-South Roanoke, Rte.220 uphill from “Outback,” 1425-feet…
Steady SLEET. No sign of flakes, yet they are likely imminent. GO FOR IT!
Snowing in Salem. Yipee!!
Wow, when it started to sleet it just went boom and the porch is all ice. I was expecting it obviously, but the speed and swiftness of it was impressive. So sheavy leet here near Windy Gap; it’s your turn now Matt!
It is a sleet/snow/rain mix at my house now. We are home for the evening. Let it Snow!!!!!!!!!!!!
Getting significant icing in the trees. STILL no snow.
Just turned to sleet in Rocky Mount. I bet this blog will hit 100 entries in record time!
Elevation- 1149ft Rocky Mount, Va
Its sleeting very hard, bring on the snow!!
For the last 30 minutes, the rain became mixed with sleet here near the town of Floyd. The ground has turned white and it is getting darker like at sunset. Does anyone know the elevation of the town of Floyd?
Snow/Sleet mixture in Radford. Rock Road is a little slushy and bare ground is white.
Appears that it is just sleeting here in SE Roanoke. Say NO to SNOW.
Changeover here to very wet snow, more a snizzle (snow drizzle). Frosting on our mulch in the back yard.
ADVICE: if you have read this blog for the past 2 years, skip this comment. I have made this statement before. For those of you who may only check on the blog during daylight hours (perhaps when you are at a workplace?), I thought I would offer this now.
As soon as possible after the snow ends, shovel or have the snow removed from driveways and (especially if you have mail delivery at/near your front door) walkways this evening. “Why?” you may be asking? Because the lows are going down into the mid-20s (even lower in many spots, I think). The soft wet snow of this evening is likely to become a frozen mess by dawn.
Sorry for the interruption.
a fairly good covering on grass with snow…BEAUTIFUL. daleville, 1272′
All snow in Blacksburg! Large flakes for the past 20 minutes. elevation -2000ft
Snowing in earnest here now. I think there is a little sleet still mixed in but it changed over to snow very quickly! Deck is white, roof is white, ground and trees are getting there. Lots of excited people on Facebook right now!
Changed over to almost all snow and still 33.4*. And, sticking on all grass areas already. Heads up fer yall folks down in da hole!!! Coming to your backyard soon.
Heavy snow now in Fairlawn
Heavy snow in Radford
Moderate snow and 32.
Heavy snow in Radford now at 2204 feet!
Ate lunch at the 3 Little Pigs in Daleville and upon entering was raining moderately, left around 2PM and was pelting sleet and before I got up to Food Lion was snowing. Went in Food Lion and grabbed some items and when I came out, snowing heavily and sticking very quickly. The roads in my area are covered and the grass is donut powder. To those who ask about sticking with earlier warmth or wetness…well…it can and does!! At least for my area in this situation!
sleeting here in southeast roanoke city!
Snowing hard here in New Castle now. Finally!
The grass is almost completely coated and the deck is covered by a layer of snow.
The changeover from rain to snow here was rapid. I estimate it was all rain around 145, then sleet mixed in by 150 or so, mostly sleet shortly after 2, snow mixing with the sleet by 215, and all snow by 230. Already a solid half-inch on the ground and the roads are VERY slick.
Everybody show mark and note this event. Mainly dor the idea that’s the ground is too wet for snow to stick. WRONG!!!! It couldn’t be any wetter. It hasn’t sleeted that hard for that long. It hasn’t had snow mixed in that long. Soooo, where did the white on the grass come from? Anybody ever see a pond of open water yesterday and then see it completely white and covered the next day? I shore wouldn’t try to walk on it. It ain’t ice.
Heavy snow in Salem.
Sadly, still rain in Lynchburg, but ever hopeful!
SNOWING here in Salem Brandon Ave.
Heavy snow at the Lakeside area last 15mins
Snowing at a good pace in Salem. Cars and grassy areas are quickly becoming coated.
Has changed over to all snow here in Salem by the duck pond (about 2:45 pm, elevation just over 1000 ft.).
Large wet snow flakes, rapidly falling here on Brush Mountain, near forest service road at top of hill, elevation approx 2400 ft. Started just before 2 pm with small sized sleet then rapidly turned to snow. Already more than 1/2 inch on deck railing.
All snow now here in Salem…Huge flakes just coming down.
All snow, heavier, and coming straight down. Mulch is very white, white intermixed with the blades of the grass. Driveway and street still just wet, but that prob’ly won’t last long. Temp down to 35*.
I can hear lots of joyous yelling and screaming from down below. Snow lovers having their big win. Congrats. :>) :>)
Snowing hard here for the last half hour.
Snow! Downtown Roanoke. Beautiful!
NOW in far-South Roanoke, Rte.220 uphill from “Outback,” 1435-feet…
We are experiencing sleety-snow / snowy sleet, as the transition
is fully underway. Grass, vehicles, mulch slightly covered with
mostly sleet, for now. Shrubs, metal railings showing slight freezing-rain
effect. WE LOVE IT!
Ground already completely white in Radford in just 30 minutes.
Lots of big fat snowflakes in the Grandin Village area of Roanoke
Bonsack at 1250′ transition complete…big beautiful snowflakes. Starting to stick!!
Heavy snow and ground/roads completely covered on Brush Mtn. in Blacksburg.
Just got back From Winston…ice on the trees in Fancy Gap,rain sleet and snow all mixed together in one big soup…32* here in Galax with a mix coming down heavily…
Got 1/2″ of snow in the last 30 minutes, at 31 degrees.
Saw a report from Gate City, VA that they were getting thundersnow accompanied with some of the heaviest snowfall rates they’ve ever seen.
All snow here in western Bedford county, 1256ft. Big flakes and coming down hard!
I was at a meeting in the VT CRC and kept an eye on the windows. Looked like the rain changed over to sleet around 2:15. Finished up my meeting and gathered my things to leave. Either there was sleet in the rain or it just got really slick, really quickly. At 2:30, I was goose stepping across the parking lot to get to my car. Traffic on South Main was going about 15 miles an hour. Finally made it home, along South Main in Blacksburg. I’m really glad I’m home and I don’t have to continue on over the mountain, on Nellie’s Cave Road. At 2:45, we had big, fluffy snow flakes in Blacksburg.
Snowing like crazy in Grandin now…for the last 15 minutes!
Been snowing heavily in northern Botetourt(near Springwood-Buchanan) for the last hour. Sticking to ground and roads. Was slick on Rt. 630 between Fincastle and Springwood in spots. Just got in from a quick run to the store.
After reading Scott Saunders comment I walked outside at work..sure enough…everything is covered here (Hollins exit I81) and it’s coming down in big wet flakes…bring it! Hope it hits home soon
ALL SNOW now, here in far-South Roanoke, Rte.220 uphill from “Outback,” 1435-feet…
Wet snow falling heavily, medium-large flakes. Sullen and white assorted
agglomerations, with no crystal structure seen. Sticking on most surfaces.
It strikes the jacket sleeve, at times, with a pelt-rattle sound, and
appears to have been through several freeze-melt cycles during formation
and descent. THIS IS SUPER!
FINALLY seeing a few flakes mixed in with the ice pellets.
About 1/2″ on the snow board I put out at 2 PM. When I went out to check it, several flakes knocked my hat slam offen my head. Biggens, I tells ya.
It’s snowing in Roanoke!
High on a mountain top in Grayson County, VA – IT’S HERE!!! Rain of course came first, then sleet for a short while, now the snow is coming down! Stay warm everybody. And enjoy!
2:50 pm switch over to snow. “Kat1″ has arrived!
Now snowing with a little sleet still mixing in. Ground is turning white very fast.
FloydJim – I used Google Earth and the elevation at the stoplight in the town of Floyd is 2494 ft.
This snow lover is ecstatic!
2:00 – 34.5
3:00 – 32.4
Heavy sleet, now heavy snow. Everything looks to be sticking very quickly–streets and all! The neighborhood street went from loose, wet slurry to coated white in ten minutes.
All snow in Downtown Roanoke Cars and grass already covered.
Indian River where are you. Kevin wants locations!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just switched to snow here in Galax! Love to see all the “new” bloggers here at the best weather blog out there..join us winter,spring,summer and fall!! Kudos to ya,Kevin…
In Harrisonburg we have have a light rain with a few ice pellets mixed in. 40degrees
Snowing very heavily on 419 near Tanglewood. Visibility virtually non exsistent.
Grayson County elevation 3700 feet, temp is 32 degrees. Views magnificant and I really wish I could sit on the front porch and watch it snow.
31.4º here and just switched over to snow. A surprising amount of ice on trees and grass on Coon Ridge Road considering how hard its rained.
FINALLY have snow in hillsville/the gap
Just drove from home south of Roanoke to downtown. Moderate snow down here now. Roads weren’t bad yet, but they’re going to be before long. Some sleety slushy spots.
Classic dynamic cooling rapid changeover. Incredible to witness.
One thing I noticed driving in: The sky is VERY DARK. It means business. A lot of our snow skies seem lighter and airy. I wonder if hear thunder …
Wow. My driveway and front walk are now snow-covered. I didn’t expect that to happen quite this quickly. Thought that they would remain merely wet until 3:30 or so. 34.5*. Grass out back almost covered now. Visibility down to 200 yards as a guess.
It’s like a snow globe. Kat would be pleased.
Down here at SML it’s still rain at 3:20. ken
Either during the Feb. 19th snowstorm or in the previous winter, some observant blogger mentioned that when snow falls straight down, it usually accumulates quickly. Both of those are exactly the case here and now.
Heavy snow-sticking on roads – Hollins area off Plantation Rd!
Heavy snow @Bonsack Wal Mart I can see traffic 460 going VERY slow. Visibility less than quarter mile.
Dumb question but why does Radar show us on green shading not blue?
Hey, “Forest.” Is “Blurker” a combination of Blog LURKER? If so, high marks for a clever name.
For once I wonder if Salem has been wise in keeping schools open. Youngest got home a little after start, but older two yet to get home. Middle one doesn’t normally get home until near 4pm. Road situation is starting to deteriorate.
Snow very heavy here in Troutville. Everything is very white!
Doug,
Very perceptive of you. Thanks for noticing.
“Mama always said life is like a box of choc-o-lates.”
Left UVA Campus area at 2:15, car thermometer read 44. Had to run a couple errands and drop some stuff off. I just pulled into my driveway, and the thermometer read 37. Hardly scientific, car themometers, but it dropped 7 degrees in an hour time as my car warmed up? hmmm
It’s not quite raining, not quite sleeting here in Southern Charlottesville. The best way I can describe it is little tiny slush-balls falling from the sky. The rain would hit my windshield, explode into a big wide droplet with ice particles in it, then immediately melt (within 1 second.) Looking at the hill where TJ is buried, very low hanging clouds.
Its been steady with a strong rain for a few hours now. I imagine it will turn over to snow soon. If it had been 10 degrees cooler all day, this would have been pretty amazing, I think!
Re comment 144, Quags and Zach I do enjoy ya’lls sites too, by the way!! Streets and deck already covered here,elev 2600.
Will try to post snow pics all evening on twitter for anyone who is on there. I’m tagging Kevin with every pic also. I’m ShanonRN on twitter. QUICK deterioration in SW Roanoke County at 1174 ft.
Snowing hard here….like cake icing on the trees already, covering the ground. Nice to see water (which we surely can use) in a prettier form!!
Yes, the cooling has been impressive, Kevin. We dropped 3 – 4 degrees easily in the last 3 to 4 hours.
And kudos to you wdbrand, you are quite right about this teaching folks that just because the ground is wet doesn’t mean that snow won’t stick. I heard so many people yesterday (and several I made bets with regarding our totals) that insisted it wouldn’t stick, but only melt. Nope.
Funny thing, the NWS has updated the forecast for Rocky Mount (24151) and Boones Mill (24065), both in Franklin Co, at around 255. For Rky Mt: rain till 5 mixed with snow, little or no accumulation, 2-4 tonight. For Boones Mill: 2-4 and 3-5 for the same time period.
Downtown Rke roads getting slushy, heavy snow, cars starting to become covered.
Snow is coming down at a good pace around Brambleton Avenue. What a change just from two hours ago. It went from Rain around 1 to Rain/sleet around 2 to sleet/thin snow around 230 to an all out snowstorm around 3.
Heavy snow in Salem, sticking to everything now including pavement. It’s already a winter wonderland out there
Amazing for only about an hour or less of snow.
Streets are turning white in Wasena. Wondering how long people will continue to go down the steep hill near my home. In ’09, there were multiple accidents on it. This snow seems to be hitting around the same time of day. Be safe driving, if you have to drive at all.
It is snowing hard now! Yeah!! Bring it on.
I have a certified 1/2 inch on the deck rails already. 3/4 if you count the flake fluff. That’s since the stroke of 3:00. Almost dropped a full degree since then too. 31.5 now. Flakes are tightening up.
Here in far-South Roanoke, Rte.220 uphill from “Outback,” 1435-feet…
Snowing heavily in somewhat smaller flakes, for now. Flakes have become
a little softer/fluffier, and a vague vestigial crystal structure is noted
in some. One-half-inch accumulation in past 25-30 minutes, and growing
swiftly. Sleet phase has ended/transitioned. This event is unfolding with
a palpable intensity, focus, and commitment. A hefty, dark-gray, breathing,
frosty Winter Beast. WHAT A DAY! WHEEEEeeeeeeeeee!
Over an inch on the ground and slush on the road at Peppers Ferry near the Mall. Heavy snow with huge flakes. Temp abt 34F
Word is it’s finally snow in Jordantown…nobody at my house yet in Goodview so can’t report that, but guessing it probably has since the temp has rapidly dropped to 33.6
Heavy snow here, and measures a little over a half an inch on my deck. Wind picking up a little, so am getting horizontal snow at times. Everything is white.
A little over an inch at 3:32 PM.
Snowing heavy on upper Williamson Rd. Sticking to road.
Leo Hirsbrunner of WDBJ7 strongly warned/advised folks of this VERY quick accumulation and worsening of road conditions on his early morning broadcasts. And of course Kevin and a few others here had mentioned it yesterday, too. Link time in a separate comment. You snow lovers should really enjoy it. Seriously.
It seems that that changeover occurred earlier than projected. Does that mean that snow totals will likely be higher than previously thought?
The rain had stopped for about one half hour and then at 2:50 it suddenly
began to snow. Kevin, you said the changeover would happen fast and it sure as heck did. Within 30 minutes everything was white, including the road at my house. FYI I live next to William Byrd H.S. Eastern Rke. County
GREAT CAESAR’S GHOST!
HUGE feather flakes again and just teeming!!!
Still 31.5
I noticed that too driving home Kevin. Almost a night sky like quality
Betweem 2 amd 3 inches here already. Snow stuck to the roads immediately after it started snowing.
Raleigh Court area of Roanoke: Roads are becoming covered and snow is still coming down at a good clip.
People need to be careful out there. I’ve noticed people driving down our road still going speeds they do on a sunny day. Slow it down!
For snow lovers who love one of the alltime classic songs about snow. This is another thank you to all of you snow lovers who helped me in my hours of need on the evening of January 5th! Especially appropriate for those of us who “have nowhere to go” during this gorgeous snowstorm.
Feel free to sing along. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY8NNBVmoaM
Well, that didn’t take long — ONE INCH!!!
31.3
Well that was nice….its changed back to rain on jeters chapel…
Two inches have accumulated on the table on my porch. It’s 29 degrees.
Radar must be moisture sensitive, it’s never there when you need it.
Snowing in moneta
The temperature in Downtown has dropped below freezing to 31.
Snowing hard in Christiansburg, accumulating fast. Roads are a mess, I-81 between Roanoke and Christiansburg, and the Christiansburg bypass are extremely hazardous, saw a couple accidents, including one that blocked part of the Christiansburg bypass for a while and had traffic at a standstill. Seeing a lot of heavy snow build-up in the trees.
Sleet changed to snow at 3:25 in Hardy (Franklin side). Accumulating now. Everybody please stay safe…conditions are indeed going downhill FAST!
SNOW AT RANCHO DE QUAGO AND 34 DEGREES!!!
Enjoy it my fellow snow lovers down 81! Not a single flake here in Greene and still 38! BUST for me, YAY.! Scott, hope you enjoy the snow, I must have upset the snow gods somehow. LOL I heard that it snowing some toward Richmond, which would put the snow to our west and east! Its just laughable!!
2.0″ of snow here, holding at 31 degrees.
In Goochland, actually it started as rain/sleet mix around 2:35 PM then went to sleet then the flakes mixed around 3:00 and now all snow moderate intensity.
BTW, DT is on WRVA in 5 minutes and again at 5:50 PM
http://www.iheart.com/#/live/2465/?autoplay=true
Enjoy the snow everyone!
The roads are quickly becoming a mess out there. It was slow going from Blacksburg to Christiansburg and down Route 8.
I’m told 116 is in rough shape and was at a standstill about 10 minutes ago. Only tire track slush visible; everything else covered.
Just making the change over in Goodview at SML. Come-on SNOW!
I thought I heard a faint rumble of thunder when I was in the parking lot at work in Blacksburg. I’m not sure that’s what it was. Maybe.
Just started snowing here in C’ville (just south of I-64). Huge flakes.
It is turning quite white up here in HOt Springs; probably half an inch this last thirty minutes. The Homestead ski slope looked soggy an hour ago,but it should be ready for visitors tomorrow and great for the weekend.
ok! now big fluffy flakes falling from the sky in South C’ville! Can’t see them on my phone camera, but here’s a shot of the hill up toward Monticello.
You could see the top of the hill 15 minutes ago.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BA1uUDYCYAAyRNP.jpg:large
In case anyone doesn’t know you can check out VDOT’s public cameras at this link. http://www.511virginia.org/
unofficial THUNDERSNOW in the Knoxville & Tri-Cities area. This Low is really intensifying!
Can somebody please explain to me why the freak it is raining up here when it is snowing allllll around! I’m on jeters chapel near vinton! Snowed hard, got the ground white…now melting and pouring rain! This is fantastic!
Really putting it down in SE Roanoke now.
RANCHO DE QUAGO!! Love it, Q. Le gusta a usted la nieve? :>) :>)
Hey, I just went outside to check the gauge, mistakenly thinking that the water in the gauge would melt the snow that fell in it. NOPE. The snow has made a slushy mess inside the gauge, which now sits in my garage. It is a cheapo plastic gauge. If any of you have one outside now and are at home, bring it inside NOW. Otherwise it might/will crack. Just that thing happened to a fellow blogger (a wonderful guy who knows a ton about weather and who lives in South Roanoke) either last winter or the year before. Water in his gauge froze solid and broke his rain gauge. If you are still out there guy, go get the gauge inside. Or call home if you are elsewhere.
Inch and a half.
That’s 7.5 inches by 8:00 at this rate.
Work let out at 2:30 and roads were becoming slushy in Abingdon. Came to the Chapel and roads were snow covered. Snowing unbelievably hard and radar looks as if there is plenty more to cover us up between here and Knoxville town. My concern is now power. Have just lost my satelite and need to go and sweep it off. Will feed the cattle next and prepare to fire up the generator. I expect the 6″ easily and probably closer to 10 or 12″ if it keeps snowing at this pace.
This is amazing! Snowing in Richmond, Charlottesville and Goochland! How is the cold air not here in Greene? This county is truly amazing at times when trying to understand the weather. I give up, bring on Spring!!!
Sleet starting to mix with steady rain here in north central Henry County. Temp holding at 36*.
3:00 – 32.4
4:00 – 31.1
Sleeting in Henry County.
I believe this one’s gonna be more than 2 chihuahuas deep…already near 2″ on the snowboard.
Still don’t know about weather in Goodview, but temp has dropped to 32.8, yet it has stopped snowing in Jordantown and temp has shot up to 35.0
Doug G. I have an Oregon Scientific electronic rain gauge. Doesn’t freeze, keep a record and you don’t have to go outside.
http://www.oregonscientificstore.com/Oregon-Scientific-RGR126-Wireless-Rain-Gauge-with-Indoor-and-Outdoor-Thermometer.data
Still just rain in Lynchburg… Heavy and thick… but rain!
1.5″ just east of Bburg at 3:45
Glad the rest of ya are enjoying it, as most of the snow has melted up here and it is just a drizzle of rain…… unbelievable!
3.0″ in Wytheville
You folks east of Roanoke who have seen a temporary stop in snow will get it back. Not unusual in these heavy wet snow events to have bands of heavier snow and then periods of drizzle in between, especially near beginning or end.
Ready for this? I already have 2 inches here, in about 90 minutes. 33.5*
A neighbor who somehow got through it says that the very bad S-curve just below our sidestreet (the S-curve is on Sugar Loaf Mountain Road, at foot of Sugar Loaf Mountain itself) already has a few cars off to the side that couldn’t make it up that tough curve.
Ricky, not sure where your from, but havent seen a lick of snow here in Greene yet and darkness is coming! Something tells me Greene isnt going to see anythiny! Just my luck! Burger King here I come!!!!!!!!
ricky at 4:13 PM. “most of the snow has melted up here …” Where is “here?”
Wow, really depressed now! Friend on Facebook that lives in Pearisburg says she has 5 inches of snow! Arghhhhhhhh
My wife reporting 2 inches at our house south of Roanoke, too, Doug.
Wow it is bad bad on I-64 near Covington and I-81 south of Roanoke. Those VDOT cams are crazy. You can see a wreck on the camera near Pulaski.
I will plan to post new for the evening between 5 and 6.
Lol! Jared, I’m near Vinton, on a freakin mountain…. it snowed HARD for about 15 minutes, got very white, about 1/2 inch, and stopped and went back to rain, now a drizzle with about all snow gone… id almost rather it not have even done anything! Lol… ohh well! It may get goin again… I’m done stressin over it! I kinda figured anyways
Someone put Burger King on alert.
My unscientific measurement using a metal ruler in the snow on the porch railing came up with 5.5″ and it’s still snowing heavily here in Narrows. The trees are covered and it’s beautiful. The power has flashed off a few times. Hopefully, it won’t stay out for long if it does go out.
Over 2″ of snow already, and we’ve had several people spin out on the hill by our house, including 2 who did full 360′s back down off it…the rest managed to keep pointed uphill while sliding backwards. Very dangerous out. We even had trouble slipping and sliding in 4WD…stay off the roads if you can.
2″ measured on the snow board at 3:55 PM. 2-1/2″ at 4:16 PM. Mr Griggs will probably get a kick outta this. Schools let ou early and it didn’t take long before a half dozen youngens come around and asked if I was gonna build a fire, pull them back up the hill and have sticks and marshmellows to toast. Toldem yes, but had to shovel my sidewall first. 4 chaps said they wouldn’t let a flake lite on the walk and soon as their friends got home there would be more youngens shoveling. Is that doing business Mr. Griggs or not.
Sorry…3″ of snow, in 2 hours.
nearing in on 3 inches in Radford
Well…just got a report from my wife on her way home…nothing on the ground at all and light rain in Goodview….I might as well stay in town and enjoy the snow
On my way home, around 2:30 on route 11 in Radford a truck slid down the embankment into a stand of trees. That portion of the road is pretty curvy and there isn’t a good place to stop so I called 911 to make sure it had been reported. The roads are getting pretty slick so be careful.
Just heard a plane going very low over my house, either taking off or landing at Roanoke airport. I would have thought it would be closed by now and I am very, very glad to not be a passenger on that flight. Too scary for me.
It is still coming down hard here and I hope it doesn’t stop anytime soon.
Will it snow in lynchburg Kevin? And how much do you expect its 37 degrees with rain right now…. Anyone can answer to
Where can we go for a decent looking radar. I think Blacksburg’s doppler is causing problems for the other radars.
Not looking good on accumilation in moneta. Seems like the groud is to wet
I’d say you got a good deal goin’ there wd! My oldest grumbled when I made her go out and help me get the lawn mower and snow plow out of the shed and to the front of the house for hubby to hook up when he gets home from WV. Granted, she had to push the back of the wagon that was carrying the snow plow b/c we kept spinning out, but still LOL
I’d say at this point we have a good 2 inches on the ground. Just tweeted a picture to Kevin from my front window. Roads here in SW County where I am are snow/slush covered. No one traveling faster than about 15-20 coming down the road. Snow still coming down hard and fast!
Close to 3″ in Roanoke City off Old Mountain Road (near Roanoke City/County line).
I left work @ 2:45 and went to the Vinton Kroger for milk (I really needed it!). I was in there 20 minutes and by the time I came out the roads were covered.
Be safe out there, SWVA!
Leo Lady, I heard that plane too! I was thinking “how in the world are they flying in this weather?!”
Smith Mountain Lake, Bedford County, Lynchburg, your snow is coming! The “deformation zone” where heavy snow is falling will pivot eastward with time. Having the rain/snow line set up just east of Roanoke/Blue Ridge late this afternoon was actually pretty well handled on the models.
Snowing in Goodview – just starting to show signs of sticking to the ground.
The snow is coming down pretty well. Sticking now and covering the ground and driveway. Route 40 and 122 are covered. Is there a chance this could stall Kevin? More snow please….
What kind of snow totals do you see for Wayneboro? It’s been snowing steadily for close to two hours and starting to stick on the roads. One inch accumulated so far.
Kris..dont despair…it will accumulate quickly..
filling in rapidly west..as soon as the snow cools off the ground
a bit it will get impressive quickly..radar looks like its snow all the way to Ridgeway…GSO still all rain.
Had to go get my daughter at Andrew Lewis Middle School. A few kids got left by buses because the numbers were obscured. Fun driving….not
Well the lights are back to flickering. I was out and I could hear tree limbs cracking under the weight of the snow. We’ve got a solid 4 inches here in C’burg.
http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/OneKM.aspx?location=USVA0068 does not show the suspicious-looking hole over our area that’s so conspicuous on Radar/Futurecast. 3.8 inches on the railing
Finally starting to snow in Henry County!!! To those that have measurable snow on the ground, I am jealous.
Trees are starting to crack and crackle here in Pulaski County from the weight of the snow…not good for keeping the power on.
Feeling for you Ricky and Jared! Sending you snow vibes! Still coming down good here. guessing 2.5″ so far. internet is out so I am on my phone. lights flickered a few times.
Finally! Some snowflakes in Lynchburg!
Salem City should’ve closed early just like every other school in the area did…. they need to get their priorities (aka student safety) in order.
just started to mix snow/rain here in lynchburg. elevation 750ft
Now, the snow is coming down fast & heavy at the foot of the Blue Ridge in Callaway. Starting to stick. The horse looks so relieved that the rain has disappeared, and the Great Pyrenees is itching to get out in the white stuff. Looks like a fun evening ahead!
I dont know how much stall..prob not..but the low is still
over north Ga…this is a good setup for a significant snow,
NWS has it over by midnight.
Roanoke could get a lot quite rapidly.
looking at it from the back side in Dallas…Joe
Blog seems busy-is it snowing?
Great job on this forecast Kevin. You mentioned all week that southern storms tends to move further north as the models progress. Changeover times, intensity and everything seem spot on. Well done. Busted snow meter-but much better to not predict it and get it than the other way around.
Just got a call from Giles County Code Red telling everyone to stay in unless you absolutely have to go out. They said 460 is shut down in several places due to accidents. I live on Main Street and have heard the fire alarm go off multiple times today and have seen Narrows, Pearisburg, and Glen Lyn fire trucks go by at various times. Not sure if that’s all because of accidents or if there are fires mixed in too.
Pretty dumb of Salem not to let out early.
We have picked up 3″ in three hours (2p-5p) in Blacksburg. Don’t buy the WDBJ model showing snow ending here by 8pm. By looking at radar and negative tilt, this will keep going until about midnight. So, 10″ plus in Blacksburg is a lock now!
SUPER comment, wd. I loved it. I just heard a muffled crack outside, quickly looked out back, and a pine tree that had been leaning east for years just pulled a “Humpty Dumpty” and down it went. Not on our property, so not a problem.
Joe Dashiell just reported live from Tanglewood Mall in SW County, right beside US 220 south. The traffic has become a complete parking lot up the ramp to US 220 south and on the overpass there. I bet a tractor-trailer jacknifed on the steep hill above Outback Steakhouse.
Nadia Singh explained that VDOT was unable to pretreat the roads because of all the rain on them. Icy conditions as a result under the snow. YUCK!!!
3.5 inches here in Radford
Picked up briefly…rain/snow..covered everything up for about 10 minutes…now again melting…. this is a joke… I know its not a bust for most of you… but I’m callin BUST on anything close to 2 inches here..(doug, I’m on Jeters chapel mountain, near vinton)….BUST! Night y’all! Enjoy it!
3 inches here at c-burg mtn. and coming down hard slick drive from pulaski, stay home if possible roads are in bad shape police scanner is going crazy.
4 1/2″ here off South Main in Blacksburg. Lights are also flickering.
Snow started around 2pm – it’s now 5:10 – so better than 1″ per hour for the past 3 hours.
I know it’s not an official measurement but I have 4″ on the back bumper of one of the cars in the driveway. About the same on the top of my fence rail.
According to husband, Fancy Gap is slow-going…20 mph, one lane open, long, long, long line of trucks. Yikes!
At 4:50 we had had 2.5 inches of snow in two hours. Lights are flickering pretty steadily. Will check in later if I can. Still snowing so guess we have 3 inches now.
266 comments – it would take me all night to read them and catch up!
Blacksburg Mike, WDBJ model showed the snow just about ending in Blacksburg by 8, but not quite here in ROA (SE of I-81, that is) by then. Probably ends (according to their model) about 8:30 here. By 10:00 COMPLETELY out of the area, including Pittsylvania and Campbell Counties. Or so say them.
Six inches in less than three hours in eastern Giles!!!
My lights have flickered a couple of times for about a half-second each time, but compuker still works. Better get off for a while. updated snow total: 3.5 inches of very wet, heavy snow.
Have to be close to 5″ in Daleville / Botetourt now – still coming down – seems the most heavy snow is supposed to come later …?? Roads are covered with at least 3″.
One more comment. I was wrong. Brent Watts went through the timeframes more slowly and his station’s outlook for what the radar will look like. Snow completely gone by midnight. Done in ROA and generally west of the Blue Ridge by 10 PM, but still coming down in areas east of the BRP.
Already did the first shovel of the driveway and sidewalks. This is definitely heart attack snow, heavy and wet underneath. Heard a few branches snap already as well.
Just measured 4in on deck railing- Daleville, VA.
I have seen some big flakes in my life time but two-three inches wide is amazing!
I guess the $%*$ blue ridge has screwed us here in Greene again! Still 35 here and no sign of snow, just rain! I’m guessing the mountains are just holding the warm air here, even when we get a gulf storm it can’t snow here!:(
Heavy band of snow over Bluefield now..1/4 mi vis and heavy snow..
this band is generally headed toward the Roanoke Valley.
This band stretches from Bristol to Bluefield..
snow line has stopped advancing for a while..seems like
possibly much of Henry County may still be mostly rain..
anyone there checkin in?
Finally changed to snow in downtown Lynchburg!
Salem lives in a fenced off area and only lets shoppers and buyers in on Ole Salem Days. They make their own rules and the entire area votes them in. Salem could be dug up by a giant tree digger, moved to the Mohave Desert and still do alrite. As far as the school decisions, they do that like everything else they do. Daughter teaches in Salem, grand-daughter goes to school in Salem. And in my opinion, they are something out of the stone age. And no disrepsect meant to the inhabitants of the Stone Age intended.
so is robin reed busy writing his resignation letter yet? an embarassment rt 460 is closed. people are stranded. his 1 to 3 inches forecast was shameful. good job putting people in harms way pal.
Roanoke City Schools has closed for tomorrow.
We’re approaching 4.5″ now, in barely over 3 hours in New River…and it’s some dang heavy and wet snow too. My poor sky pencil holly bushes are now U-shaped ground pencils! I’m trying to shake things off, but it just keeps sticking and weighing everything down.
Wow, half a foot already in my old stomping grounds of Giles! Oh well, the highlands get the snow and here in the flat lands we get the rain! Bring on the 100 degree summers, Can’t wait!
5 inches here in Radford. I believe we will see 7-9 inches here
Wd, let’s not get the regional war going. That is all I am going to say about that.
Tyler, you are foolish
Congrats on your new most popular blog post. And thanks as always for all your hard work and great info.
If you have to travel, oyu might want to check out the VDOT website for road conditions.
http://www.511virginia.org/mobile/?menu_id=conditions
It snowed for a few minutes here in Bedford city and now its back to rain. No accumulation. Does that mean we’re not getting any? All surrounding areas have snow.
Kevin & All, Appreciate everything everyone’s done to make this one of the most accurate SW VA forecasts I’ve been a part of. One item of concern: while I’ve clearly measured about 4 inches of wet, dense snow, one of the latest TWC forecasts shows a switch back to rain sometime in the next hour with increasing temps. Is this feasible? Thanks again to everyone involved. N Roanoke (Williamson / Hershberger)
10.5 inches here already and still coming down moderate to heavy. AppCo power went out about 7pm. The trees are really bending over from the weight of this morning’s ice and the snow. Jared, you are more than welcome to some of the snow here. I have enough already!
Elevation approx 2400 ft, a good 8 inches on deck railing, consistent depth all around. Lights flickering, went out briefly only, abt 30 sec. Heard two trees on property cracking.
Lets make it 300.