Heavy Snow in Virginia, February 2 to 3, 1996

The continuation of a strong upper-level jet streak, combined with additional mid-level dynamics, generated surface low pressure over central Georgia by evening on the 2nd. As the low moved to near Cape Hatteras overnight, a broad area of heavy snow overspread all of northern Virginia. Areas that received 4 to 13 inches during an early morning event (on the 2nd) picked up an additional 4 to 6 inches, leaving most areas from the central piedmont through the northern neck with a grand total of 12 to 18 inches. Farther north, from the Shenandoah Valley through the western suburbs of Washington, DC, 6 to 9 inches fell.Circulation around the surface system allowed arctic air to pour into the area during the heaviest snowfall. Much of the snow fell at temperatures below 20 degrees, making it powdery. The 6 to 9 inches were cleared from main arteries by the next afternoon, but side streets remained snow covered.The storm's exit ushered the coldest air in two years into the region. Daytime temperatures on the 4th remained below 20 degrees, with wind chill values ranging from 10 to 20 below zero. Light winds and clear skies, combined with relatively deep snow cover, allowed temperatures to fall to as low as 18 degrees below zero over portions of the western piedmont and northern Shenandoah Valley by dawn on the 5th. Records were set on consecutive mornings at Dulles International Airport (VAZ042, eastern section), with 10 degrees below zero on the 5th and 9 below on the 6th.