Low pressure tracking northeast just off the southeast and Mid Atlantic coasts produced snowfall totals between three inches and fourteen inches across central, south central, and eastern Virginia.
Every event with a place to put it; 40 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 AKQ wrote it up.
Low pressure tracking northeast just off the southeast and Mid Atlantic coasts produced snowfall totals between three inches and fourteen inches across central, south central, and eastern Virginia.
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 Wakefield, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 9, 2:03 AM EST, 57 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
203 AM EST Sun Dec 9 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
High pressure will extend from the Upper Midwest eastward into
the northern Mid Atlantic region into tonight. Low
pressure across the deep south this afternoon tracks
east northeast just off the southeast coast while intensifying
during Sunday. The low then sits farther off the southeast
coast late Sunday night into Tuesday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THIS MORNING/...
As of 1030 PM EST Saturday...
Dry/chilly wx continuing this evening as storm system moves
through the deep S. Region covered by a shield of CI attm...the
CIGS will be slowly lowering from the SW after midnight. Low
levels remain quite dry...and near term guidance/trends suggest
a bit of a delay in the arrival of pcpn over far SSW counties.
Pushed back increasing PoPs toward the 09-12Z/09 window as
opposed to the 06-09Z/09 window of the previous forecast. There
remain uncertainties wrt ptype w/ the storm during Sun...esp
along the I 95 corridor and immediately to the E and across the
nrn/NE areas. Sfc wet bulb zero line just across SE VA-NE NC
this evening (and that will be one of the keys on Sun).
Also...during the storm Sun...all model soundings showing the
max wet bulb temperature aloft rising from the SSE (to above
zero) across portions of central and south central VA...so the
SN/RA or just RA line is tough to pinpoint right now.
Finally...the frontogenesis is still shown to be across srn 1/3
VA and into nrn NC during the height of the event. Current
headlines will remain as they are...letting the next shift get a
good look at all of the 00Z/09 guidance. The current winter
storm warning for SW areas of FA looks good right now since SN
should start in those locations by 12Z/10. Lows tonight from the
u20s W to the u30s along the coast in SE VA-NE NC.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM THIS MORNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
As of 345 PM EST Saturday...
All signs are pointing to a continued significant winter storm
for parts of the region, with at the potential for 9 inches of
snow (or locally even higher) south of US 460 and west of I-95.
Latest forecast guidance has suggested that the moisture
associated with the system will spread further north than
previous runs. The NAM is still the most extreme with the
heaviest precipitation closer to the RIC metro, while the GFS is
furthest south. ECMWF seems to be a good compromise with up to
an inch of liquid generally along and south of US-460, with up
to a half of an inch along the I-64 corridor. With the overall
increase of QPF across the south, have upped the storm total
snow to 5-9 inches. However, the NAM suggests a relatively high
rime factor > 20 units across the southern tier indicating
graupel which may cause snow to be reduced. In addition, using
the change of snow depth from the NAM and GFS (which uses the
model land surface model to determine actual snow on the ground)
suggests similar values. Otherwise, a pure 10:1 ratio would
likely yield more than 10 inches of snow near the VA/NC border.
In addition, with the slight northward trend in the heavier axis
of precipitation, combined with the EPS Prob 6" > 80% further
north at least into the the far southern RIC metro, this brings
the I64 corridor into play for heavier snow. There is still some
concern that the models are spreading precipitation too far
north into the dry air (as NWP frequently does in these type of
f-gen events). With those concerns in mind, will issue a winter
storm watch for the RIC metro and points west rather than going
straight to a warning for 3-6 inches of snow. Warm nose will
spread westward to nearly I-95, so it seems reasonable that any
snow along/east of I-95 will at least mix with rain at times,
with all rain at the coast. Still the corridor from Charles City
through Prince George/Sussex to Southampton for 2-4 inches of
snow. Expect the precipitation to gradually diminish Sunday
night, although the warm nose hangs on as there is very little
cold advection as the system moves up the coast. As such, there
actually may be a little freezing rain/drizzle overnight across
the western tier and with that in mind have opted to keep any
headlines going until 09z Monday despite the precip diminishing.
In addition, with the tightening gradient between the high to
the north and the low to the south, gusty NE winds can be
expected especially near the coast. As such, have issued a wind
advisory for Virginia Beach and Currituck for winds gusting to
45 to 50 mph.
With the tight gradient of precipitation on the northern end,
the MD eastern shore may struggle to see much in the way of
precipitation and this will end up being later Sunday afternoon
into Sunday night if it occurs at all. Will maintain chance
rain/snow but no impacts are expected in MD.
Monday should generally be quiet with increasing sunshine as the
day goes on. With the snow pack in place, temps will stay cooler
than guidance with temps in the upper 30s and lower 40s.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 100 PM EST Saturday...
The models are indecent agreement through Thursday as strong
surface high pressure settles over the region on Tuesday into
Wednesday before weak warm advection begins Wednesday night in
Thursday as the surface high retreats NE into the Canadian
Maritimes and the North Atlantic. This will allow for dry
weather through Thursday with temperatures slow moderating from
the low to mid 40s on Tuesday into the upper 40s to the mid 50s
on Thursday.
The models begin to diverge on their handling of the next
trough that dives into the Central and Southern plains from
late Thursday into Saturday. Both the GFS and ECMWF close off
the upper low and develop an extremely deep surface cyclone
across the OHio Valley and into the Northeast. The models have
big timing differences by about 12 to 18 hours with the GFS the
faster model to have the cold front sweep through the area some
time Friday in both the 6z and 12z runs while the ECMWF has the
front cross the area on Saturday. For now have gone a little
quicker with the front going through some time Friday night with
a band of showers and potential a strong increase of winds. But
with the uncertainty will have to continue to monitor how this
system develops not only in strength but also timing.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 205 AM EST Sunday...
Low pressure is tracking ENE in vicinity of the nrn Gulf coast
as of 06z, with high pressure centered over PA/NY. Moisture is
spreading newd ahead of the approaching low with high clouds
overspreading the region. Cigs are expected to lower after 12z
with pcpn arriving from the SW. Pcpn should begin as SN for RIC
and remain SN for much of the day, and potentially becoming a
mix of RA/SN later today. Farther E, mainly RA although PHF
could begin as SN or a mix of RA/SN. IFR cigs are expected by
midday through the aftn and into the evening, with vsby aob 2sm
in SN and 2-4sm in RA. Becoming windy along the coast of SE
VA/NE NC with a NE wind of 20-25kt and gusts to 35-40kt.
Conditions slowly improve later tonight.
Low pressure lingers off the Outer Banks Monday into Monday
night resulting in locally breezy conditions for ORF/ECG. High
pressure prevails Tuesday through Thursday.
&&
.MARINE...
As of 345 PM EST Saturday...
Surface high pressure across the Midwest will continue to build into
the region today and this evening as low pressure organizes across
the northern Gulf Coast. Winds across the marine area today have
been generally light (5-15 knots) out of the north and northeast
with waves in the Bay running 1-2 feet and 2-3 foot seas offshore.
Things begin to change later tonight as low pressure approaches the
area with northeasterly winds increasing to 10-20 knots and seas
building 3-5 feet offshore (2-3 foot waves in the Bay). Low pressure
deepens off the Carolina coast on Sunday with an increasingly sharp
pressure gradient across the region, especially near Cape Charles
and points south. Winds will increase to 15-25 knots across the
northern Bay with 20-30 knots across the southern Bay zones while
offshore winds will increase to 25-35 knots with gusts approaching
40-45 knots in areas near and south of Cape Charles Sunday evening.
Seas will build 5-8 feet over the northern ocean zones with 8-12
foot seas across the southern waters. Waves in the Bay will increase
to 3-4 feet by Sunday afternoon with 5-6 foot waves possible near
the mouth of the Bay.
A Gale Warning is in effect for the Currituck Sound and the offshore
waters south of Cape Charles while a Gale Watch remains in effect
for the southern Bay and from Cape Charles northward to Parramore
Island where sustained Gale conditions look to be a bit more
marginal. Will let the overnight shift make the call on whether to
upgrade these areas to a Gale Warning. Small Craft Advisories are in
effect for the remaining zones Sunday night into early Monday.
Low pressure offshore becomes elongated east/west with the potential
for a secondary area of low pressure to form near the coast late
Sunday and early Monday. This area will move away to the east by
Tuesday as high pressure builds into the region. Seas will
likely remain elevated offshore into early Wednesday.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
As of 720 PM EST Saturday...
Low pressure will strengthen off the Carolina coast Sun into
Sun night. A strong NE wind is expected to push tidal anomalies
to 1.0-1.5 ft above normal from the Lower Bay S to Outer Banks
Currituck. This has the potential to produce minor tidal
flooding Sun night into Mon. Additionally, minor beach erosion
is expected due to large breaking nearshore waves.
&&
.AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...None.
NC...Wind Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 4 AM EST Monday for
NCZ017-102.
Winter Storm Warning from 5 AM early this morning to 4 AM EST
Monday for NCZ012.
VA...Winter Storm Watch from 7 AM EST this morning through late
tonight for VAZ048-061-062-068-069-509>516.
Winter Weather Advisory from 7 AM this morning to 4 AM EST
Monday for VAZ081>083-088-089-092.
Wind Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 4 AM EST Monday for
VAZ098.
Winter Storm Warning from 5 AM early this morning to 4 AM EST
Monday for VAZ060-065>067-079-080-087.
MARINE...Gale Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 AM EST Monday for
ANZ654-656-658.
Small Craft Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 AM EST
Monday for ANZ630-631-650-652.
Small Craft Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 4 AM EST
Monday for ANZ635>637.
Small Craft Advisory from 4 AM early this morning to 1 PM EST
this afternoon for ANZ632-634.
Gale Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 1 AM EST Monday for
ANZ632-634.
Gale Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 4 AM EST Monday for
ANZ633.
Small Craft Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 7 AM EST
Monday for ANZ638.
&&
SYNOPSIS...TMG/MRD
NEAR TERM...ALB
SHORT TERM...MRD
LONG TERM...ESS
AVIATION...AJZ
MARINE...RHR
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...AKQHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wakefield VA 420 PM EST Sat Dec 8 2018 MDZ021>025-NCZ015-016-031-032-VAZ095-097-099-100-092130- Dorchester-Wicomico-Somerset-Inland Worcester-Maryland Beaches- Pasquotank-Camden-Chowan-Perquimans-Norfolk/Portsmouth-Chesapeake- Accomack-Northampton- 420 PM EST Sat Dec 8 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, northeast North Carolina, eastern Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Rain, heavy at times, will overspread the area from south to north Sunday and persist into Sunday night. The heaviest rain is expected across southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina where an inch to 1.5 inches of rain is possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ013-014-030-VAZ064-075>078-084>086-090-093-096-517>525-092130- Hertford-Gates-Bertie-Caroline-Westmoreland-Richmond-Northumberland- Lancaster-Gloucester-Middlesex-Mathews-James City-Isle of Wight- Suffolk-Western King William-Eastern King William- Western King and Queen-Eastern King and Queen-Western Essex- Eastern Essex-York-Newport News-Hampton/Poquoson- 420 PM EST Sat Dec 8 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast North Carolina, east central Virginia, eastern Virginia, north central Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Rain, heavy at times, will overspread the area from south to north Sunday and persist into Sunday night. The precipitation may start as snow Sunday morning and accumulate on grassy surfaces before changing to rain Sunday afternoon. The heaviest rain is expected across southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ012-VAZ060-065>067-079-080-087-092130- Northampton-Prince Edward-Mecklenburg-Lunenburg-Nottoway-Brunswick- Dinwiddie-Greensville- 420 PM EST Sat Dec 8 2018 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM SUNDAY TO 4 AM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon 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...Sunday through Friday. 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. VAZ048-061-062-068-069-509>516-092130- Fluvanna-Cumberland-Goochland-Amelia-Powhatan-Western Louisa- Eastern Louisa-Western Hanover-Eastern Hanover-Western Chesterfield- Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights)- Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond)-Eastern Henrico- 420 PM EST Sat Dec 8 2018 ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ081>083-088-089-092-092130- Prince George-Charles City-New Kent-Sussex-Surry-Southampton- 420 PM EST Sat Dec 8 2018 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM SUNDAY TO 4 AM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Virginia, south central Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. 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. NCZ017-102-VAZ098-092130- Western Currituck-Eastern Currituck-Virginia Beach- 420 PM EST Sat Dec 8 2018 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO 4 AM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast North Carolina and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. MRD
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
40 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between eight inches and twelve inches across the county.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between five inches and nine inches across the county.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between five inches and thirteen inches across the county. Dawn (1 S) reported 13.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between five inches and ten inches across the county.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between eight inches and thirteen inches across the county. Cartersville reported 12.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between seven inches and twelve inches across the county. Addison (1 NNW) reported 11.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between nine inches and twelve inches across the county. Chesterfield (2 SSW) reported 12.0 inches of snow. Meadowville reported 11.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between nine inches and fourteen inches across the county. Beach (3 WSW) reported 14.2 inches of snow. Midlothian (3 S) reported 13.5 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between four inches and eight inches across the county. Montague (1 SE) reported 5.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between five inches and eight inches across the county.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between eight inches and twelve inches across the county. Mechanicsville (2 WSW) reported 12.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between nine inches and thirteen inches across the county. Gilman (2 NNW) reported 13.2 inches of snow. Ashland (1 SW) and Montpelier reported 11.5 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between nine inches and thirteen inches across the county. Richmond International Airport and Varina reported 11.5 inches of snow. Highland Springs reported 10.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between nine inches and fourteen inches across the county. Laurel (1 N) reported 14.1 inches of snow. Short Pump (3 N) reported 14.0 inches of snow. Downtown Richmond (1 N) reported 11.5 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between four inches and eight inches across the county.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between six inches and ten inches across the county.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between five inches and ten inches across the county.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between eight inches and twelve inches across the county. Pollards Corner reported 10.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between eight inches and twelve inches across the county. Gum Spring reported 12.0 inches of snow. Apple Grove (3 ESE) reported 10.8 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between eight inches and twelve inches across the county.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between nine inches and thirteen inches across the county.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between two inches and six inches across the county. Gloucester Courthouse (1 SSE) reported 6.0 inches of snow. Ark (1 NE) reported 5.3 inches of snow. Clay Bank (2 E) reported 4.8 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between eight inches and thirteen inches across the county. Oilville reported 10.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between four inches and seven inches across the county. Purdy (1 N) reported 7.0 inches of snow. Slates Corner reported 4.2 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between four inches and nine inches across the county. Toano (1 SW) reported 8.8 inches of snow. Five Forks (1 N) reported 6.5 inches of snow. Norge reported 6.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between three inches and six inches across the county. Mollusk (1 ESE) reported 5.5 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between seven inches and ten inches across the county. Victoria reported 9.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between two inches and five inches across the county. North reported 3.5 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between six inches and ten inches across the county. Clarksville reported 9.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between three inches and six inches across the county. Stampers reported 4.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between six inches and twelve inches across the county. New Kent reported 10.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between seven inches and twelve inches across the county.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between eight inches and fourteen inches across the county. Genito reported 14.0 inches of snow. Macon (1 WNW) reported 10.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between eight inches and twelve inches across the county. Farmville reported 12.0 inches of snow. Elam (1 ENE) reported 11.0 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between six inches and twelve inches across the county. Hopewell (1 NE) reported 12.0 inches of snow. Prince George Golf Course (1 N) reported 10.5 inches of snow. Petersburg (1 S) reported 9.5 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between three inches and seven inches across the county.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between three inches and six inches across the county. Berlin (1 SSW) reported 4.3 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between three inches and nine inches across the county. Claremont reported 5.5 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between four inches and ten inches across the county. WFO Wakefield reported 4.8 inches of snow.
Snowfall totals generally ranged between three inches and eight inches across the county. Hague reported 8.0 inches of snow.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, December 2018
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: 795996, 795999, 796000, 796001, 797552, 797553, 797554, 797555, 797556, 797557, 797558, 797559, 797561, 797562, 797598, 797607, 797610, 797613, 797618, 797620, 797623, 797632, 797641, 797642, 797644, 797648, 798438, 798439, 798440, 798441, 798442, 798443, 798444, 798470, 798490, 798491, 798492, 798705, 798706, 798707.