Winter Storm in Virginia, January 9, 1997

A winter storm spread a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain across all of northern and western Virginia during the daylight hours of the 9th. From the Blue Ridge to points west, between 3 and 5 inches of snow fell before precipitation changed to mixed sleet and freezing rain. Many area schools closed prior to the storm.The event was the result of subtropical moisture rapidly overrunning a dome of cold air, causing a period of moderate snow and sleet. A secondary wave of low pressure developed along the North Carolina coast, locking the low-level cold air in place over inland locations.Precipitation had an immediate impact on the morning commute, causing numerous fender-benders and several more serious accidents. A serious accident occurred in the northern Shenandoah Valley, when a tractor trailer jackknifed along interstate 81, closing the highway for at least an hour.The changeover to mixed precipitation, combined with widespread road treatments, allowed for a somewhat more benign evening commute. Residential roads remained treacherous until the following day, when afternoon temperatures rose well above freezing.