Winter Storm in West Virginia, February 5 to 6, 2010

Name: Winter Storm in West Virginia, February 5 to 6, 2010
Start: 2010-02-05T01:00
End: 2010-02-06T14:00
Location: West Virginia

February 5 to 6, 2010 · NWS RNK · 4 events in 4 counties and zones

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

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 3 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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 4

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 over Kentucky, bringing a nose of warm air in aloft. This led to a mixture of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain across southeast West Virginia, with many areas seeing significant snow 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, 11:45 PM EST, 1 hour 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 4, 11:45 PM EST, 1 hour 15 minutes before

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 4, 4:58 PM EST, 8 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.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Feb 4, 10:25 PM EST, 2 hours 35 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1025 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

NCZ001-002-018-VAZ007-009-010-012-013-015-016-032-050600-
ASHE-ALLEGHANY NC-WATAUGA-TAZEWELL-SMYTH-BLAND-WYTHE-PULASKI-
GRAYSON-CARROLL-PATRICK-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WEST JEFFERSON...SPARTA...BOONE...
TAZEWELL...MARION...BLAND...WYTHEVILLE...PULASKI...INDEPENDENCE...
WHITETOP...TROUTDALE...VOLNEY...GALAX...STUART
1025 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

...PERIODS OF SNOW TO CONTINUE OVERNIGHT...

LIGHT TO OCCASIONALLY MODERATE SNOW WILL MOVE NORTHEAST ACROSS THE
NORTHERN NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS AND INTO SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
THROUGH MIDNIGHT. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL WILL OCCUR ACROSS THE
MOUNTAIN EMPIRE REGION OF VIRGINIA SOUTH INTO THE HIGHER RIDGES OF
NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA WHERE UP TO AN INCH OR TWO COULD FALL
THROUGH 1 AM. THIS WILL LIKELY CAUSE ROADS TO BECOME SNOW COVERED
AND SLICK OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS. ELSEWHERE ONLY A COATING
TO ONE HALF INCH IS EXPECTED. MOTORISTS SHOULD USE CAUTION IF
PLANNING TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE REGION OVERNIGHT.

NCZ003>005-019-020-050600-
SURRY-STOKES-ROCKINGHAM-WILKES-YADKIN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DOBSON...DANBURY...EDEN...WILKESBORO...
YADKINVILLE
1025 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

...SNOW DEVELOPING ACROSS THE REGION...

LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE ACROSS THE REGION
THROUGH 1 AM. A PERIOD OF HEAVY SNOW COULD ALSO OCCUR OVER SURRY
AND STOKES COUNTY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS. SNOWFALL
ACCUMULATIONS OF AN INCH OR TWO WILL BE POSSIBLE ESPECIALLY IN
AREAS CLOSER TO THE FOOTHILLS. THIS WILL ALSO LIKELY LEAD TO SNOW
COVERED ROADS...ESPECIALLY BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES IN THE NEXT FEW
HOURS. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO BE ALERT FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS
OVERNIGHT.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Mercer

When: February 5, 1:00 AM EST to February 6, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Mercer forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.406, -81.111 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mixture of snow, sleet, and freezing rain moved into the area early Friday and continued through the day. The most snow fell across the eastern part of the county, near Bluefield, where the cold air held in the longest. Further west warmer air moved in causing a mixed bag of precipitation, and eventually just rain. Accumulations of 5 to 8 inches were common across the eastern half of the county, with less to the west.

Winter Storm, Summers

When: February 5, 1:00 AM EST to February 6, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Summers forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.656, -80.859 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mixture of snow, sleet, and freezing rain moved into the area early Friday and continued through the day. The most snow fell across the eastern part of the county where the cold air held in the longest. Further west warmer air moved in causing a mixed bag of precipitation, and eventually just rain. Accumulations of 5 to 8 inches were common across the eastern half of the county, with less to the west.

Winter Storm, Monroe

When: February 5, 1:00 AM EST to February 6, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Monroe forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 37.560, -80.551 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A mixture of snow, sleet, and freezing rain moved into the area early Friday and continued through the day. Accumulations of near 8 inches were common across the county.

Winter Storm, Greenbrier

When: February 5, 2:00 AM EST to February 6, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Greenbrier forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snow moved into the county early on Friday and continued through early Saturday afternoon. The lower elevations were near freezing for part of the storm, allowing some sleet, freezing rain, and rain to mix in at times. The highest snow accumulations were in the higher elevations where it was coldest. Snow amounts ranged from around 9 inches in the lower elevations to as much as 24 inches near Quinwood.

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 West Virginia in 2010 Every state in 2010 This day in weather history Warnings in West Virginia, 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: 216210, 216212, 216213, 216216.