Winter Storm in North Carolina, February 4 to 5, 2010

Name: Winter Storm in North Carolina, February 4 to 5, 2010
Start: 2010-02-04T21:00
End: 2010-02-05T23:00
Location: North Carolina

February 4 to 5, 2010 · NWS RNK · 8 events in 8 counties and zones

A strong low pressure system moved from the Gulf Coast to off the North Carolina coast. A secondary low moved west of North Carolina over Kentucky, bringing a nose of warm air in aloft.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 8 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 2
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $754,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS RNK wrote it up.

A strong low pressure system moved from the Gulf Coast to off the North Carolina coast. A secondary low moved west of North Carolina over Kentucky, bringing a nose of warm air in aloft. This led to a mixture of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain across northwest North Carolina, with many areas seeing significant snow or ice accumulations.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Blacksburg, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 4, 6:30 PM EST, 2 hours 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 4, 6:30 PM EST, 2 hours 30 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 4, 4:58 PM EST, 4 hours 2 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
458 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

NCZ003-019-020-VAZ007-009-010-012-032-033-WVZ042-052200-
SURRY-WILKES-YADKIN-TAZEWELL-SMYTH-BLAND-WYTHE-PATRICK-FRANKLIN-
MERCER-
458 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM EST
SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL NORTH
CAROLINA...NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...WEST
CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

NCZ004>006-VAZ043-044-052200-
STOKES-ROCKINGHAM-CASWELL-HENRY-PITTSYLVANIA-
458 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM FRIDAY TO 10 PM EST
SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
AND SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

VAZ045>047-058-059-052200-
CAMPBELL-APPOMATTOX-BUCKINGHAM-HALIFAX-CHARLOTTE-
458 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM FRIDAY TO 10 PM EST
SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND SOUTH
CENTRAL VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

NCZ001-002-018-VAZ011-013>017-052200-
ASHE-ALLEGHANY NC-WATAUGA-GILES-PULASKI-MONTGOMERY-GRAYSON-CARROLL-
FLOYD-
458 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM EST
SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

VAZ018>020-022>024-034-035-WVZ043>045-052200-
CRAIG-ALLEGHANY VA-BATH-ROANOKE-BOTETOURT-ROCKBRIDGE-BEDFORD-AMHERST-
SUMMERS-MONROE-GREENBRIER-
458 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM FRIDAY TO 10 PM EST
SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTH
CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND
SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Watauga

When: February 4, 9:00 PM EST to February 5, 9:00 PM EST
Where: Watauga forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.231, -81.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow broke out across the county late Thursday evening and continued through the day Friday. It mixed with sleet and freezing rain during the day Friday when warmer air moved in aloft. The precipitation ended as snow showers Friday evening. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 11 inches were common, with up to a tenth of an inch of ice as well.

Only minor tree and power line damage was reported.

Winter Storm, Ashe

When: February 4, 9:00 PM EST to February 5, 9:00 PM EST
Where: Ashe forecast zone
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.434, -81.500 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow broke out across the county late Thursday evening and continued through the day Friday. It mixed with sleet and freezing rain during the day Friday when warmer air moved in aloft. The precipitation ended as snow showers Friday evening. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 10 inches were common. Ice accumulation of up to 0.35 inches was reported in Glendale Springs, with slightly lower amounts around 0.15 inches common across most of the county.

Only minor tree and power line damage was reported.

Winter Storm, Alleghany

When: February 4, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where: Alleghany forecast zone
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.491, -81.127 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow broke out across the county late Thursday evening and continued through the day Friday. It mixed with sleet and freezing rain during the day Friday when warmer air moved in aloft. The precipitation ended as snow showers Friday evening. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 8 inches were common. Ice accumulation of up to 0.20 inches was reported in the Ennice area.

The snow and freezing rain combined to bring down numerous trees and power lines across the county. Some structures were also damaged by the falling trees.

Winter Storm, Wilkes

When: February 4, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 10:00 PM EST
Where: Wilkes forecast zone
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.206, -81.163 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Brushy Mountain area was hit hard by freezing rain with accumulations up to one inch reported. This caused numerous trees and power lines to fall blocking several roads and knocking out power to thousands. Significant tree damage was reported, with one tree breaking through the roof of a house. At one point almost 4000 customers were without power.

Winter Storm, Surry

When: February 4, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 11:00 PM EST
Where: Surry forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.415, -80.687 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow broke out across the county late Thursday evening and continued through the day Friday. It mixed with sleet, rain and freezing rain during the day Friday when warmer air moved in aloft. The precipitation ended as snow showers Friday evening. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 7 inches were common.

The snow, combined with the freezing rain and rain on top brought down numerous trees and power lines across the county. Around 300 calls of downed trees were called in, and some car ports and vehicles were damaged. Over 200 car and tractor trailer accidents were also reported, with portions of highways 52 and 77 closed at times. At one point around 4000 people were without power.

There was one indirect death from the event, when a 74 year old man had a heart attack while shoveling snow.

Winter Storm, Yadkin

When: February 4, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Yadkin forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.161, -80.665 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Rockingham

When: February 4, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 11:00 PM EST
Where: Rockingham forecast zone
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.396, -79.775 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow broke out across the county late Thursday evening and continued through the day Friday. It mixed with sleet and rain during the day Friday when warmer air moved in aloft. The precipitation ended as snow showers Friday evening. Total snow accumulations of around 4 to 5 inches were common.

The snow and freezing rain combined to bring down numerous trees and power lines across the county, with as many as 20000 people without power at one time. The damage included a pole and transformer being pulled down by the wait of the snow and ice.

Winter Storm, Stokes

When: February 4, 11:00 PM EST to February 5, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Stokes forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.402, -80.240 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The snow, combined with the freezing rain and rain on top brought down numerous trees and power lines across the county. At one point up to 17000 residents were without power. It is estimated that at least 100s of trees were down, with the county EMS director stating it was the most widespread damage he had seen.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Winter Storm, Surry	2010-02-05	74	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect
Winter Storm, Stokes	2010-02-05	74	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in North Carolina in 2010 Every state in 2010 This day in weather history Warnings in North Carolina, February 2010

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 216114, 216115, 216116, 216117, 216118, 216119, 216122, 216129.