Virginia, 2010

Ice Storm in Virginia, January 21 to 22, 2010

January 21 to 22, 2010 · NWS RNK · 11 events in 11 counties and zones

Cold high pressure was in place across the area as warm, moist air overspread the region in association with a warm front moving north across the region. The result was rain that fell onto sub-freezing surface that produced up to one-half inch of ice.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 11 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
$9,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
11

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.

Cold high pressure was in place across the area as warm, moist air overspread the region in association with a warm front moving north across the region. The result was rain that fell onto sub-freezing surface that produced up to one-half inch of ice.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

11 ice storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Ice Storm, Bland

When
January 21, 11:30 AM EST to January 22, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Bland forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.134, -81.130 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accretion totaled 0.25 inches at Little Creek.

Ice Storm, Floyd

When
January 21, 11:30 AM EST to January 22, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Floyd forecast zone
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.932, -80.362 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accretion totaled 0.50 inches in Pizarro, 0.33 inches in Willis, and 0.25 inches in Terrys Fork. The ice in Willis caused some trees to fall down. Damage values are estimated.

Ice Storm, Grayson

When
January 21, 11:30 AM EST to January 22, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Grayson forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.657, -81.225 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accretion totaled 0.50 inches in Rugby near the Grayson Highlands State Park.

Ice Storm, Wythe

When
January 21, 11:30 AM EST to January 22, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Wythe forecast zone
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.917, -81.079 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accretions totaled 0.30 inches in Wytheville. The ice was sufficient enough to bring trees down in Ivanhoe. Damage values are estimated.

Ice Storm, Carroll

When
January 21, 12:30 PM EST to January 22, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Carroll forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.697, -80.829 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accretion totaled 0.38 inches three miles east of Sylvatus, 0.33 inches in Gladesboro, 0.25 inches in Fancy Gap, and 0.25 inches three miles west of Fries Junction.

Ice Storm, Craig

When
January 21, 12:30 PM EST to January 22, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Craig forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.481, -80.212 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accretion totaled 0.25 inches at Potts Mountain near Paint Bank.

Ice Storm, Montgomery

When
January 21, 12:30 PM EST to January 22, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Montgomery forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
37.174, -80.387 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accretions totaled 0.28 inches in Pilot and 0.25 inches in Blacksburg.

Ice Storm, Patrick

When
January 21, 12:30 PM EST to January 22, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Patrick forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.678, -80.284 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accretions totaled 0.50 inches at both Meadows of Dan and Woolwine.

Ice Storm, Pulaski

When
January 21, 12:30 PM EST to January 22, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Pulaski forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.098, -80.645 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accretions totaled 0.25 inches near Little Creek.

Ice Storm, Rockbridge

When
January 21, 12:30 PM EST to January 22, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Rockbridge forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.774, -79.418 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accretions totaled 0.25 inches in the Fairfield, Raphine, Wilson Springs, and the Independent City of Buena Vista.

Ice Storm, Bedford

When
January 21, 12:30 PM EST to January 22, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Bedford forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.315, -79.524 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accretions of 0.27 inches accumulated in Stewartsville.

What these are

Ice Storm
Freezing rain accumulating a quarter inch or more of ice, or less where it caused significant damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Virginia in 2010Every state in 2010This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, January 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: 212317, 212361, 212362, 212370, 212359, 212360, 212364, 212365, 212366, 212368, 213442.