Blizzard and Winter Storm in North Carolina, February 9 to 11, 2010

Name: Blizzard and Winter Storm in North Carolina, February 9 to 11, 2010
Start: 2010-02-09T16:00
End: 2010-02-11T23:00
Location: North Carolina

February 9 to 11, 2010 · NWS RNK · 13 events in 9 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 13 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: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $186,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 13

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.

An area of low pressure moved from the Mississippi coast to off the Carolina coast. At the same time another low moved through the Ohio Valley, putting northwest North Carolina in the middle of the two. An area of mixed precipitation moved across the area with light to moderate accumulations. The coastal low deepened on Wednesday bringing gusty winds and significant upslope snow showers to the higher elevations.

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 9, 12:57 PM EST, 3 hours 3 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 9, 12:57 PM EST, 3 hours 3 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1257 PM EST TUE FEB 9 2010

.SYNOPSIS...
A COMPLEX AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WITH ASSOCIATED FRONTAL BOUNDARIES
WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS THE REGION TODAY BEFORE INTENSIFYING ALONG THE
MID ATLANTIC COAST TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY. THIS WILL BRING PERIODS
OF SNOW THROUGH MIDDAY WITH A LIKELY CHANGEOVER TO MIXED
PRECIPITATION ACROSS PARTS OF THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON. A STRONG
ARCTIC COLD FRONT WILL PUSH IN BEHIND THIS SYSTEM WITH VERY STRONG
WINDS AND COLD TEMPERATURES WEDNESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
12Z NAM IS BRINGING SLIGHTLY WARMER TEMPERATURES IN ALOFT THIS
AFTERNOON. SO AS THE PRECIPITATION FILLS BACK IN AND CONTINUES
UNTIL THE FRONT GOES THROUGH TONIGHT HAVE EXPANDED THE AREA WITH
SLEET AND A CHANCE OF FREEZING RAIN. THIS KEEPS THE HIGHEST SNOW
AND SLEET ACCUMULATIONS IN SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA AND THE
ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS.

ALSO RAISED HIGH TEMPERATURES A FEW DEGREES ON THE EDGE OF THE
CAD REGION. NO OTHER CHANGES AT THIS TIME TO ANY WINTER WEATHER
HEADLINES OR THE HIGH WIND WATCH.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
LOW DEEPENS ON THE COAST OVERNIGHT AS THE 85H FRONT CROSSES THE
MOUNTAINS WITH STRONG COLD ADVECTION ENSUING. APPEARS DRY SLOT
SHOULD CUT OFF PRECIP ALL EXCEPT THE NORTH/NE DURING THE EVENING
BEFORE THE UPPER SYSTEM CROSSES AND UPSLOPE CRANKS UP LATE. LOCAL
WRF EVEN SHOWS A BAND OF SNOW MOVING INTO THE EAST AHEAD OF THIS
FEATURE SO BUMPED UP POPS SOME OUTSIDE OF THE NW NC FOOTHILLS.
BUFKIT ALSO SHOWS RH BECOME SHALLOW OVER THE EAST LATE WHERE COULD
BE MORE OF A FREEZING DRIZZLE THREAT. 85H JET REALLY CRANKS UP
OVERNIGHT WITH WARNING CRITERIA GUSTS POSSIBLE ON THE RIDGES LATE.
THIS WILL CREATE BLOWING SNOW PROBLEMS WITH LOW VSBYS LIKELY
ESPCLY WEST BY DAYBREAK. SINCE MAY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH LINGERING
ICE IN THE EAST WILL ISSUE A HIGH WIND WATCH FOR THE ENTIRE CWA
STARTING AT MIDNIGHT. THIS ALSO SUPPORTED BY LOCAL RESEARCH WHICH
SHOWS POTENTIAL FOR DAMAGING WINDS TO GO EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS
WITH A DEEPENING COASTAL LOW. TEMPS WILL CRASH WITH THE ARRIVAL
OF THE 85H SURGE WITH MID/UPPER TEENS LIKELY WEST FOR LOWS BUT
LIKELY HELD UP SOME OUT EAST WHERE THE COLDEST AIR WONT ARRIVE
UNTIL JUST BEFORE DAWN.

AT THE SURFACE WEDNESDAY...THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL BE
PUSHING NORTHEAST OFFSHORE AND DEEPENING RAPIDLY. WHILE THE UPPER
LOW WILL BE CROSSING THE COUNTY WARNING AREA. THIS WILL LEAVE THE
FORECAST AREA IN AN UPSLOPE SNOW REGIME ONCE AGAIN AS WRAP AROUND
MOISTURE ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE LOW REMAINS IN THE WEST. AS A
RESULT...UPSLOPE SNOW SHOWERS WILL OCCUR IN SOUTHEAST WEST
VIRGINIA SOUTH INTO THE NORTHERN NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS
WEDNESDAY. THERE WILL BE A GOOD TRAJECTORY OFF OF LAKE MICHIGAN ON
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA. THESE
UPSLOPE SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT AND WILL
TAPER OFF FROM SOUTH TO NORTH. HPC GUIDANCE SUGGESTS A POTENTIAL
FOR UP TO 6 INCHES ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATION THROUGH THIS TIME
PERIOD.

STRONG COLD AIR WILL CONTINUE TO ADVECT INTO THE REGION IN THE WAKE
OF THE COLD FRONT. 85H TEMPERATURES WILL DROP INTO THE -16 TO -12 C
RANGE. A STRONG LOW LEVEL JET WILL DEVELOP WITH 85H WINDS INCREASING
INTO THE 50 TO 60 KNOTS RANGE EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. THESE REASONS
ALONG WITH RAPID PRESSURE RISES OF 4 TO 7MB...WINDS COULD POSSIBLY
REACH INTO WARNING CRITERIA. AT THIS TIME...HAVE HOISTED A HIGH WIND
WATCH FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY WARNING AREA. HOWEVER...BELIEVE THE
HIGHEST WIND GUSTS WILL IMPACT THE MOUNTAINOUS AREAS AND ESPECIALLY
ALONG THE RIDGES.

WIND CHILLS COULD ALSO REACH ADVISORY CRITERIA WEDNESDAY NIGHT BUT
WILL CONTINUE TO MENTION IN THE HWO FOR NOW.

THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT...THE LOW WILL BE FURTHER OUT OVER THE
ATLANTIC WHILE THE AREA WILL BE IN TRANSITION AS A SURFACE RIDGE
TRIES TO PUSH INTO THE FORECAST AREA. UPSLOPE SNOW SHOWERS WILL
DIMINISH BY THE EVENING THURSDAY.

TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN BELOW SEASONAL NORMS.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS INTO THE AREA ON FRIDAY ALL WHILE A
DEEPENING AREA OF LOW PRESSURE SWINGS SOUTH OF THE AREA THROUGH
THE GULF COAST STATES. PRECIPITATION FROM THAT SYSTEM IS EXPECTED
TO REMAIN SOUTH OF THE AREA.

NORTHWEST FLOW INCREASES AGAIN OVER THE WEEKEND AS ANOTHER SHORTWAVE
TROUGH SPINS OUT OF THE GREAT LAKES AND THROUGH OUR REGION. TIMING
OF THIS FEATURE VARIES AMONG THE MODELS...BUT THE GENERAL CONSENSUS
IS A RETURN OF UPSLOPE SNOW SHOWERS FROM SE WV SOUTH INTO THE
NORTHERN MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

FOR TEMPERATURES DURING THE PERIOD HAVE FAVORED NUMBERS IN LINE WITH
THE LATEST HPC GUIDANCE.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
STILL EXPECTING PRECIPITATION TO FILL IN AND CONTINUE ACROSS THE
FORECAST AREA BETWEEN 18-00Z. PRECIPITATION TYPE FOR LWB WILL BE
PRIMARILY SNOW. THE OTHER TAF SITES (BLF...LYH...ROA...DAN) WILL
BE A MIX OF SNOW...SLEET AND RAIN. RECENT SATELLITE AND
TEMPERATURE TRENDS HAVE SHOWN WARM AIR ALOFT ADVANCING
NORTH THROUGH THE MID ATLANTIC SO DAN AND BLF MAY CHANGE TO ONLY
RAIN AT BLF AND DAN BEFORE 00Z.

A STRONG COLD FRONT CROSSES THROUGH THE AREA BETWEEN 00-06Z. THIS
WILL END ANY PRECIPITATION EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE BUT WILL LEAD IN
INCREASING WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS. BY THE END OF THE TAF PERIOD
SUSTAINED WINDS AT ALL TAF SITES WILL BE AT OR ABOVE 20 KNOTS.
GUSTS WILL LIKELY EXCEED 50 KNOTS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

UPSLOPE SNOW SHOWERS WILL BEGIN BY 12Z AT BLF AND LWB AND CONTINUE
INTO THURSDAY MORNING. THIS WILL KEEP CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES IFR
TO MVFR.

SHOULD SEE SOME IMPROVEMENT BY FRIDAY IN SE WV AS HIGH PRESSURE
MOVES IN.

&&

.EQUIPMENT...
MALFUNCTION OF THE NEW CEILOMETERS AT LYH...AND BLF HAS BEEN
REPORTED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN REGION. THE CEILING
AT BLF IS NOW BEING REPORTED...AND APPEARS IN LINE WITH
SURROUNDING OBSERVATIONS. IF A DISCREPANCY IS NOTED...THE
CEILOMETER WILL NEED TO BE LOGGED OUT AGAIN. THE CEILING AT LYH
MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS WHEN THE
CONTROL TOWER IS CLOSED.

&&

.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY FOR VAZ010-011-
     013-014-018>020-022>024-035.
     HIGH WIND WATCH FROM MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
     WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-
     043>047-058-059.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 4 AM EST WEDNESDAY FOR VAZ012-
     016-017.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY FOR VAZ009-015.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY FOR
     VAZ032>034-043>047-058-059.
     WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY FOR VAZ007.
NC...HIGH WIND WATCH FROM MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
     WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR NCZ001>006-018>020.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY FOR NCZ002.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY FOR
     NCZ003>006-019-020.
     WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY FOR NCZ001-018.
WV...WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY FOR WVZ044.
     HIGH WIND WATCH FROM MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
     WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR WVZ042>045.
     WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY FOR WVZ042-043-
     045.

&&

SYNOPSIS...AMS/JH
NEAR TERM...AMS
SHORT TERM...JH/REB
LONG TERM...DS
AVIATION...AMS/REB
EQUIPMENT...

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 9, 6:41 AM EST, 9 hours 19 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
641 AM EST TUE FEB 9 2010

VAZ019-020-101145-
ALLEGHANY VA-BATH-
641 AM EST TUE FEB 9 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY...
...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND 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.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

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

   HIGH WIND WATCH.

WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS WILL KEEP THE
TEMPERATURES VERY COLD. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

WVZ045-101145-
GREENBRIER-
641 AM EST TUE FEB 9 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY...
...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND 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.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

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

   WINTER STORM WARNING.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS WILL KEEP THE
TEMPERATURES VERY COLD. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

VAZ023-024-035-101145-
BOTETOURT-ROCKBRIDGE-AMHERST-
641 AM EST TUE FEB 9 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY...
...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND 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.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

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

   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

NCZ002-VAZ009-015-101145-
ALLEGHANY NC-SMYTH-GRAYSON-
641 AM EST TUE FEB 9 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY...
...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

NCZ001-018-VAZ007-WVZ042-043-101145-
ASHE-WATAUGA-TAZEWELL-MERCER-SUMMERS-
641 AM EST TUE FEB 9 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY...
...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND 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.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

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

   WINTER STORM WARNING.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

VAZ010-011-013-014-018-WVZ044-101145-
BLAND-GILES-PULASKI-MONTGOMERY-CRAIG-MONROE-
641 AM EST TUE FEB 9 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY...
...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND 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.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

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

   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

VAZ012-016-017-101145-
WYTHE-CARROLL-FLOYD-
641 AM EST TUE FEB 9 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST WEDNESDAY...
...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

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

   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

NCZ003>006-019-020-VAZ032>034-043>047-059-101145-
SURRY-STOKES-ROCKINGHAM-CASWELL-WILKES-YADKIN-PATRICK-FRANKLIN-
BEDFORD-HENRY-PITTSYLVANIA-CAMPBELL-APPOMATTOX-BUCKINGHAM-CHARLOTTE-
641 AM EST TUE FEB 9 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY...
...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

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

   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

VAZ022-101145-
ROANOKE-
641 AM EST TUE FEB 9 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY...
...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND 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.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

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

   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

VAZ058-101145-
HALIFAX-
641 AM EST TUE FEB 9 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY...
...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

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

   HIGH WIND WATCH.

.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

9 high wind, 2 winter storm, 2 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Watauga

When: February 9, 4:00 PM EST to February 11, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Watauga forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.231, -81.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A light mixed bag of precipitation moved across the county on the 9th producing light accumulations. On the back side of the storm strong northwest winds produced significant upslope snow. Wind gusts as high as 67 mph were recorded in Boone the evening of the 10th. Whiteout conditions were common with falling and blowing snow. Total snow accumulations were generally 8 to 12 inches, with most of it falling the 10th into early on the 11th.

Winter Storm, Ashe

When: February 9, 4:00 PM EST to February 11, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Ashe forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.434, -81.500 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A light mixed bag of precipitation moved across the county on the 9th producing light accumulations. On the back side of the storm strong northwest winds produced significant upslope snow. Wind gusts as high as 66 mph were recorded in Jefferson the evening of the 10th. Whiteout conditions were common with falling and blowing snow. Total snow accumulations ranged from 4 to 6 inches in the lower elevations, to up to 16 inches on the western slopes. Most of the snow fell during the 10th into early on the 11th.

High Wind, Watauga

When: February 10, 3:02 AM EST to February 11, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Watauga forecast zone
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 36.231, -81.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong northwest winds on the backside of a deepening coastal low produced a wind gusts to 58 and 67 MPH at Boone. A tree was also down on US 221 and on Georges Gap Road.

High Wind, Alleghany

When: February 10, 6:00 AM EST to February 11, 5:00 AM EST
Where: Alleghany forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.491, -81.127 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong northwest winds on the backside of a deepening coastal low produced a wind gust to 63 mph at Roaring Gap. Large limbs blocking a road was also reported in Ennice.

High Wind, Ashe

When: February 10, 7:00 AM EST to February 11, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Ashe forecast zone
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 36.434, -81.500 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong northwest winds on the backside of a deepening coastal low produced a wind gust to 58 and 66 MPH at Jefferson.

Blizzard, Ashe

When: February 10, 7:30 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where: Ashe forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.434, -81.500 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard conditions developed during the 10th in the higher elevations. Gusts to near 70 mph were reported with near zero visibility at times. Temperatures were in the teens creating low wind chills as well. Dangerous driving conditions resulted, with considerable blowing and drifting of snow.

High Wind, Stokes

When: February 10, 9:00 AM EST to February 11, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Stokes forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.402, -80.240 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong northwest winds on the backside of a deepening coastal low brought down about 75 trees across the county, and caused scattered power outages.

High Wind, Yadkin

When: February 10, 9:00 AM EST to February 11, 9:00 PM EST
Where: Yadkin forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.161, -80.665 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong northwest winds on the backside of a deepening coastal low brought down trees and power lines across the county.

Blizzard, Watauga

When: February 10, 11:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where: Watauga forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.231, -81.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Caswell

When: February 10, 11:00 AM EST to February 11, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Caswell forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.393, -79.334 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong northwest winds on the backside of a deepening coastal low brought down numerous trees and power lines across the county. It was approximated that around 25 trees came down due to the winds.

High Wind, Wilkes

When: February 10, 11:00 AM EST to February 11, 11:00 PM EST
Where: Wilkes forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.206, -81.163 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong northwest winds on the backside of a deepening coastal low brought down numerous trees across the county.

High Wind, Rockingham

When: February 10, 12:00 PM EST to February 11, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Rockingham forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $6,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.396, -79.775 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong northwest winds on the backside of a deepening coastal low brought down trees across the county, and caused scattered power outages.

High Wind, Surry

When: February 10, 5:30 PM EST to February 11, 11:00 PM EST
Where: Surry forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $125,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.415, -80.687 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong northwest winds on the backside of a deepening coastal low picked up and threw an aluminum garage into the street. A roof was also blown off a mobile home, and numerous trees and power lines were down across the county. There were also transformer explosions and electrical fires reported. A mobile home received heavy damage when a large tree fell on it, however all occupants escaped injury. In all, as many as 200 reports of downed trees were reported. Five fairly significant incidences of damage to structures, as well as many instances of trees falling on vehicles were reported.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.

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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 216265, 216266, 216473, 216499, 216476, 216267, 216477, 216504, 216268, 216489, 216492, 216487, 216497.