A developing Nor'easter began to strengthen across the Gulf Coast of the United States late in the day on January 6th before moving northeast along the Atlantic coastline on January 7th. Precipitation began to spread to into the area along the northern and western sides of the storm, bringing measurable snowfall into parts of the south central and southwest Virginia.
Every event with a place to put it; 17 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS RNK wrote it up.
A developing Nor'easter began to strengthen across the Gulf Coast of the United States late in the day on January 6th before moving northeast along the Atlantic coastline on January 7th. Precipitation began to spread to into the area along the northern and western sides of the storm, bringing measurable snowfall into parts of the south central and southwest Virginia. The heaviest snowfall amounts were recorded within Southside Virginia, where 5 to 10 inches of snow fell. Lesser accumulations were noted to the north and west. Travel impacts were felt area wide during and immediately following the event.
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 Jan 6, 12:58 PM EST, 2 hours 17 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1258 PM EST Fri Jan 6 2017
.SYNOPSIS...
Moisture will linger across the region today as high pressure
slides by to the north ahead of developing low pressure well to
the southwest. This low pressure system will move across the
northern Gulf states this evening before passing east of the
Carolinas overnight and well offshore during Saturday. Cold high
pressure will then build into the area Saturday night and Sunday
with much below normal temperatures.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 1030 AM EST FRIDAY...
Not much change to the forecast at this time. Most notable changes
are that due to temperatures being as warm as forecast to the
southeast, ptype to start out more as a rain/snow mix. Minor
adjustments to the PoPs to account for precip already occurring.
Temps and winds look on track.
As of 315 AM EST Friday...
Not a lot of change to start with initial wave exiting this morning
followed by weak high pressure that will gradually help push colder air
aloft in from the northwest through the afternoon. At the same time
will be locked into the continued deep moisture axis zipping in from
the west that will keep plenty of clouds around before moisture deepens
again this evening. However guidance continues to show impulses aloft
working along the moisture axis allowing bursts of light snow/flurries
to develop this afternoon espcly across southwest sections. Will have
to watch and see if this area expands more with snowfall later as
isentropic lift increases along a leftover inverted trough ahead of the
main shortwave heading in for tonight. Therefore have included a
bit higher pop across the southwest this afternoon where could see
a prelim inch with spotty flurries elsewhere. Appears snowfall has
all but ended within the current advisory area so plan to drop
with the update. Otherwise mainly cloudy and cold today with highs
mostly below freezing mountains and perhaps mid to upper 30s east.
Main concern again with the potential winter storm overnight as low
pressure takes shape south of the Florida panhandle and zips
northeast just offshore the Carolinas by late tonight. System will
initially lack a lot of deep moisture given modified Arctic
intrusion of drier air but will ramp up quickly overnight as the
Atlantic tap gets involved. However just how fast and proximity to
the coast of the surface low ends up will make a lot of difference
in potential snow amounts given the progged track of the 850 mb
low and strong frontogenetic forcing south of the area. Latest
consensus of solutions remain on track in keeping the higher QPF
across the southern/eastern sections but with some deformation
banding concerns on the northwest side of the system per latest
ECMWF. Also much colder/drier air aloft will be sliding in from
the northwest overnight with this axis likely somewhere near the
Blue Ridge late which will likely spell the difference in
accumulating snow to just clouds/flurries. For now will blend the
more consistent GFS which is a bit drier, with the wetter ECMWF,
while allowing for some deformation banding including higher
ratios which should make the dry snow quite efficient at
accumulating. Also running a bit faster than models with higher
pops including an inch or two south-southwest before midnight,
then ramping up from the Blue Ridge and points south-east during
the early morning hours when could see moderate snow espcly
southeast. Lows mostly in the 20s east but falling well into the
teens mountains as very cold air aloft filters in on the back of
the deepening coastal wave late.
This spells a need to upgrade the current watch to a warning while
adding in few counties near the Blue Ridge. Expect could see a
good 5-8+ into Southside with 3-6 inches generally in the warning
north and west of there up to Highway 460 where a sharp gradient
looks to exist. Plan to run with advisories for much of the I-81
corridor for 1-4 inches overall but 2-5 likely into parts of the
Mtn Empire down into Carroll cty where totals a bit more tricky
from south to north. This will still give the dayshift a bit of a
window to upgrade etc if needed pending later guidance trends. No
headlines for the Va Highlands into Southeast West VA at this
point where an inch or less is expected.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
As of 400 AM EST Friday...
The upper trough responsible for the winter storm will be centered
just to our west at 12Z Saturday. The associated surface low will
be located along the NC coast. As the trough takes on a negative
tilt, the surface low will accelerate north off the east coast.
Snow will quickly come to an end as this occurs, pulling out of
the Piedmont areas last. Additional snowfall in the 12Z-18Z time
is expected to range from less than an inch west of the Blue Ridge
to perhaps a couple more inches along the far eastern border of
the CWA.
The main issue during this period after the winter storm moves out
of the area is a surge of significant bitter cold Arctic air that
will spread into the area as the coastal storms moves northeast. 850mb
temperatures are progged to drop toward -22C across the northern
parts of the CWA per GFS, with somewhat more subdued -18C readings
per ECMWF. Usually the GFS over advertises the southward extent of
cold air, so would lean more toward the -20C range than the -22C,
given that the record for KBCB is -26C. At any rate, this will
yield surface temperatures near 0F western areas, with -5F
possible in the higher elevations of the western mountains. The
Piedmont would be looking at readings near 10F. Wind chills will
be a significant issue early Sunday ranging from -25F western
Greenbrier to the single digits Piedmont. Wind Chill Warnings and
Advisories will likely be needed as the next headline product
after the winter storm has moved out of the area. Sunday will be a
very cold day despite abundant sunshine with temperatures likely
rising no higher than the single digits western mountains to the
lower 20s Piedmont.
Monday temperatures will bottom out before starting to moderate
some by afternoon. With snow cover on the ground, from the
current event in the west and the upcoming event across the
Piedmont and other areas, low temperatures Monday morning as the
Arctic high builds over the area could be near record values in
places like Danville where the record low is only 6F. The snow
cover always throws a wild card in low temperatures under this
synoptic setup. Consider KLYH reaching -11F with snow cover on the
ground in a similar setup a couple of winters ago.
After the winter storm exits the region Saturday morning, the only
precipitation expected through the remainder of this period will
be some light upslope snow showers across the Alleghanys Saturday
night into early Sunday as the Arctic air surges into the area.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 400 AM EST Friday...
Tuesday into Wednesday our weather will be influenced by the
approach and subsequent passage of a cold front. Look for light
precipitation to overrun the area Tuesday into Tuesday night. This
precipitation will arrive over a cold ground conditions. We
anticipate a period of light freezing rain Tuesday morning before a
transition to plain rain as temperatures increase during the day.
The light rain will continue into Tuesday night with some pockets of
light freezing rain across the Alleghany Highlands.
Wednesday the cold front will cross the region with a band of
showers. The showers will decrease in coverage in the wake of the
front Wednesday night with a transition to some light snow across
parts of southeast West Virginia late.
A ridge of high pressure briefly builds into the area on Thursday,
but moisture on the west side of the high may bring scattered
showers back to the area later in the day Thursday.
Temperatures will start this period of the forecast around ten
degrees below normal on Monday and trend to ten degrees above normal
by Thursday.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 100 PM EST
Low pressure currently to the south-southwest of the region will
slide along the southeast coast this evening into the overnight
hours. Current conditions at BLF and LWB are MVFR with occasional
light flurries. Other locations are VFR but conditions will
deteriorate during the evening to overnight hours as the backside of
the low moves over the forecast area. Conditions eventually become
IFR at DAN as intensity of the snow increases for several hours
before returning to MVFR. Conditions also become IFR at BLF
overnight under northwest flow. Expect conditions to improve first
at BCB and ROA as a dry slot intrudes through the middle of the
region. Winds are expected to pick up late tomorrow morning under a
strong pressure gradient.
Extended Aviation Discussion...
Arctic air will be moving into the region throughout the weekend
contributing to gusty winds that will last into Sunday. Conditions
look to be very cold so any snow that falls Friday night/Saturday
morning will not have a chance to melt. Under northwest flow, low
upslope clouds look to be a continued problem for BLF and LWB for
much of the weekend. As of now, confidence is moderate in at least
MVFR ceilings until high pressure can settle into the region late in
the weekend. Once the high gets set up, VFR conditions are
anticipated through the end of the forecast period.
&&
.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...Winter Weather Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 7 PM EST
Saturday for VAZ009-012>017-022-023-035-047.
Winter Storm Warning from 7 PM this evening to 7 PM EST
Saturday for VAZ032>034-043>046-058-059.
NC...Winter Storm Warning from 7 PM this evening to 7 PM EST
Saturday for NCZ001>006-018>020.
WV...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...JH
NEAR TERM...JH/JR
SHORT TERM...RAB
LONG TERM...DS/RAB
AVIATION...JH/JRHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...CORRECTED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA 725 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2017 NCZ003>006-019-020-VAZ032>034-043>046-058-059-070030- SURRY-STOKES-ROCKINGHAM-CASWELL-WILKES-YADKIN-PATRICK-FRANKLIN- BEDFORD-HENRY-PITTSYLVANIA-CAMPBELL-APPOMATTOX-HALIFAX-CHARLOTTE- 725 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2017 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY... 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 STORM WARNING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. 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 IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. WVZ508-070030- WESTERN GREENBRIER- 725 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2017 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS AND COLD TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILLS OF MINUS 20 TO MINUS 25 DEGREES EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. A WIND CHILL WARNING MAY BE NEEDED. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. VAZ007-010-011-018>020-WVZ042>044-507-070030- TAZEWELL-BLAND-GILES-CRAIG-ALLEGHANY VA-BATH-MERCER-SUMMERS-MONROE- EASTERN GREENBRIER- 725 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2017 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. THERE IS A LOW PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. WIND CHILLS MAY DIP AS LOW AS MINUS 5 TO MINUS 15 EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. VAZ009-012>017-070030- SMYTH-WYTHE-PULASKI-MONTGOMERY-GRAYSON-CARROLL-FLOYD- 725 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2017 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY... 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. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY. IN ADDITION...WIND CHILLS MAY DIP AS LOW AS MINUS 5 TO MINUS 15 EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. VAZ035-047-070030- AMHERST-BUCKINGHAM- 725 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2017 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR 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. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. VAZ024-070030- ROCKBRIDGE- 725 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2017 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO 2 INCHES COULD OCCUR LATE TONIGHT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. THERE IS A LOW PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. VAZ022-023-070030- ROANOKE-BOTETOURT- 725 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2017 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY... 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 WEATHER ADVISORY. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. NCZ001-002-018-070030- ASHE-ALLEGHANY NC-WATAUGA- 725 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2017 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA. .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. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. WINTER STORM WARNING. IN ADDITION...WIND CHILLS MAY DIP AS LOW AS MINUS 5 TO MINUS 15 EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
17 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Snowfall amounts between 6 and 9 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received along the city of Galax area, where 9 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 6 and 9 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received out of the Hillsville area, where 9.0 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 4 and 6 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received along the Coleman Store area, where 6 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 6 and 9 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received out of Martinsville, where 9 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 5 and 9 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received out of the Meadows of Dan area, where 8.5 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 6 and 9 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received along the Blue Ridge Parkway area, where 9 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 6 and 10 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received out of the South Boston area, where 9.5 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 6 and 10 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received out of the Snow Creek area, where 9.8 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 6 and 9 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received out of the Blairs area, where 9.0 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 5 and 9 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received out of the Huddleston area, where 9.0 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 4 and 7 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received out of the Poages Mill area, where 7.0 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 6 and 8 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received out of the Rustburg area, where 8.0 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 4 and 8 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received along the Blue Ridge area, where 7 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 6 and 8 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received out of the Keysville area, where 9.5 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 6 and 10 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received out of the Appomattox area, where 9.3 inches of snow was measured.
Snowfall amounts between 4 and 6 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county.
Snowfall amounts between 5 and 7 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was received near Andersonville , where 7 inches of snow was measured.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, January 2017
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: 676105, 676095, 676108, 676085, 676084, 676101, 676082, 676087, 676086, 676088, 676098, 676091, 676106, 676083, 676093, 676099, 676109.