A strong cold front, extending south from a deep surface low over the Great Lakes Region moved through the area. Winds became very strong and northwesterly in the wake of this cold front.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 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 strong cold front, extending south from a deep surface low over the Great Lakes Region moved through the area. Winds became very strong and northwesterly in the wake of this cold front. Combined with saturated ground from previous days rains, these winds brought down several trees in Halifax County.
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 23, 9:40 AM EST, 20 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
940 AM EST Tue Jan 23 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
A strong cold front will continue to move east across the region. It
will usher in colder temperatures, gusty northwest winds, and
mountain snow showers this afternoon and continue into Wednesday.
Temperatures will moderate to above normal again later in the week
before the next frontal system arrives during the weekend.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 940 AM EST Tuesday...
Wind advisory remains in effect across the high elevations this
afternoon until 10 am Wednesday.
Decreased pops for this morning with KFCX WSR-88D showing that
rain has exited forecast area. Decided to slow the arrival of
the upslope precipitation on the western slopes as supported by
Highres model solutions. Modified temperatures with the latest
surface obs and trends, then shaped towards GLAMP for late
morning into this afternoon. Used a non-diurnal temperature
curve with cold advection. More changes later this morning...
As of 450 AM EST Tuesday...
997 mb surface low over northern Michigan trails a frontal
occlusion/Pacific front across central WV into roughly the I-77
corridor early this morning. This boundary best shows itself as a
wind shift from south to west-southwest/west. Parent upper level low
currently per water vapor imagery is spiraling east-northeast across
IL/IN.
This frontal system will lead to a relatively active 24 hour period
with ongoing heavy showers early this morning in the Piedmont,
falling temperatures today/tonight, a surge of northwest winds along
the Blue Ridge this afternoon and tonight and potential minor
accumulations of snow tonight continuing into the Wednesday
timeframe.
Primary cold front and dry slot aloft moves eastward through the
morning hours per the GFS. This will lead to a west to east rather
rapid decrease in PoPs along with clearing skies except in the
western mountains. By early afternoon, most of the eastern two-
thirds of the forecast area should see at least partly sunny skies.
Falling 850 mb temperatures should also result through today, with
most areas west of the foothills having already seen their high
temperature occur overnight. Would expect any additional rains
amounting up to 0.15" in the far eastern Piedmont counties. By
afternoon, temperatures should range from the mid 30s in the far
west to the lower 50s in southeastern counties.
In terms of wind headlines, have opted to cancel the Wind Advisory
for the south/southwest winds that was in effect until 6 AM for our
far southwestern mountains. However, have opted to issue a impact
based wind advisory in effect from 1 PM today until 10 AM Wednesday
from the Blue Ridge from Roanoke to Watauga County. Will see winds
also flip to west and eventually northwest by mid to late this
morning. These should become at least breezy by early afternoon as
cold advection aloft steepens lapse rates. Based on GFS/MAV
guidance, local research wind guidance indicates only marginal Wind
Advisory criteria for Roanoke and Boone, with the highest pressure
rises anticipated to occur around 4 pm to around midnight, while the
core of the northwesterly low level jet of around 50 kts looks to
occur after 7pm into early Wednesday morning timeframe. Generally
think peak wind gusts of around 50-55 mph should occur between 6 pm
and 3 am, and continuing to diminish into the Wednesday morning
period. Appears too marginal north of Roanoke and have opted to hold
on further extension per collaboration with NWS Sterling.
And then there's upslope snow to talk about. Cold advection and
enhanced northwest flow will again favor a changeover from rain to
mountain upslope snow showers from western Greenbrier County
southward into Watauga County. Changeover should occur by late this
afternoon in southeast West Virginia and toward early evening from
Grayson through Watauga County. Though flurries or light snow
showers may at times advance to the New River Valley, simulated
reflectivity from most SPC HREF members suggests any accumulating
snows would be in southeast West Virginia, Tazewell County VA and
Ashe/Watauga Counties in NC. Snow accumulations through 12z
Wednesday should add up to between 1-2 inches, greatest in western
Greenbrier County. Additional accumulations are expected into
Wednesday as well.
Low temperatures tonight range from around the mid 30s in the
Piedmont/foothills, to the upper 20s/around 30 west of the Blue
Ridge.
&&
.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
As of 430 AM EST Tuesday...
The deep low pressure area moving through the Great Lakes today
will be moving rapidly northeast away from the area early
Wednesday. At 12Z Wednesday, it is expected to already be in the
eastern Canadian provinces. This will allow winds to begin to
diminish and thus the Wind Advisory is slated to end at 15Z or
10 AM EST. Unlike the first two weeks of January, the upper flow
will remain progressive and essentially zonal as this low
pressure area departs. We will see a quick shot of colder air
with 850mb temperatures dropping into the -8C to -10C range
which will equate to lows in the 20s. Temperatures are not low
enough at this point for wind chills to be a concern. Upslope
snow showers across the Alleghanys will linger into Wednesday
morning, with generally 1-2 inch accumulations western
Greenbrier, less elsewhere in the west.
Given that the flow is fairly progressive and zonal, the next
upper short wave, a fairly weak one, will move into the region
let Wed or Wed night, a psuedo Alberta Clipper type system. The
main dynamics are across the Great Lakes and moisture is
limited. However, it will provide just enough dynamics to
enhance upslope snow showers across the Alleghanys where another
1-2 inches of snow is possible by Thursday morning. This short
wave will quickly exit the region later Thursday as a short wave
ridge in the central U.S. moves into the eastern U.S. for
Friday.
Wednesday and Thursday will be on the cool side, but actually
really close to normals for this time of year. Look for lows
mainly from near 20 west to near 30 east. Maximum temperatures
will range from the 40s in the west to the 50s in the east.
These are within a few degrees of normal for mid-January, but
about 20-30 degrees warmer than we were much of the first half
of January!
Friday as the upper ridge approaches and 850mb temperatures
surge back above zero, to perhaps as warm as +8C, look for
surface temperatures to warm into the 50s west and 60s east,
about 10 degrees above normal.
Other than the upslope snow showers, little meaningful
precipitation is expected during this period leaving monthly
precipitation totals a bit below normal for this time of year.
&&
.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 450 AM EST Tuesday...
As we move into the weekend, the next in the series of short
waves within a continued progressive upper flow will move from
the Midwest into the eastern U.S. The ECMWF suggest that this
could be a decent liquid precipitation maker for the forecast
area as the system becomes more amplified as it moves into the
eastern U.S., and low pressure develops off the northern Mid-
Atlantic coast, while the GFS is much weaker, faster and less
excited bringing about just brief period of showers. WPC seems
to be favoring the slower ECMWF, which brings a general 1-2
inches of rainfall to the area in the Sun-Mon time frame.
Little concern about winter weather with the weekend/early next
week system as 850mb temperatures remain above 0C for several
days, topping out in the +8C to +10C range as the front
approaches Sun-Mon.
Given the differences in the intensity and timing between the
ECMWF and the GFS, the degree of cold air that follows int the
wake of this frontal system early next week and the amount of
post frontal upslope snow showers will largely depend on which
solution verifies. For now, will carry snow showers across just
the Alleghanys following frontal passage Sunday night into
Monday. 850mb temperatures fall back toward -8C per the ECMWF,
but barely reach 0C per GFS with a flatter, more zonal flow.
At any rate, temperatures for the remainder of January will
hover much closer to normal than the first two weeks did, with
essentially equal periods of moderately above and moderately
below normal. It could be said that the temperature variability
will likely be greater than the degree above/below normal.
&&
.AVIATION /15Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 601 AM EST Tuesday...
TAFs continue to be impacted by degraded flight categories and low-
level wind shear early this morning. Though rain showers have all
but come to an end, in its wake has been areas of mist or light
ground fog. Roanoke has recently seen VLIFR fog as winds have gone
calm. Would expect any fog or mist to be rather temporary, lasting a
couple hrs at most as frontal wind shift introduces an enhancement
to west winds helping to mix out the fog. As this front passes,
should see ceilings improve along the Blue Ridge eastward to VFR
levels. Winds veer west-southwest to west-northwest to 6-10 kts by
late morning.
Though still will be contending with VFR/MVFR stratus at Lewisburg
and Bluefield, main impact to the rest of the TAFs through today
will be gusty post-frontal northwest winds. Wind gusts between 20-27
kts are forecast during the afternoon, with gusts lingering into the
evening at Roanoke. Should see renewed upslope MVFR snow showers
later tonight at Bluefield later tonight with ceilings lowering to
IFR/MVFR here, with VFR/MVFR stratus at Lewisburg. Otherwise,
generally VFR indicated after 00z rest of the TAFs.
Extended Discussion...
Look for gradual improvement to VFR with any residual northwest wind
gusts abating by Wednesday night. High pressure then builds into the
region late Wednesday night through Friday night with VFR all
terminals. Next chance at sub-VFR is later in the weekend with a
frontal system moves across the region.
&&
.EQUIPMENT...
As of 940 AM EST Tuesday...
NOAA Weather Radio, WXL60 (Roanoke Transmitter) which
broadcasts at 162.475 MHz remains off the air. The phone company
reported that the circuit line had been cut and is being worked
on. Some of the repairs have been completed, however more items
remain. We are told it was a fiber optic line, so it is taking
some time to repair.
&&
.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...Wind Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 10 AM EST Wednesday
for VAZ015>017-022.
NC...Wind Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 10 AM EST Wednesday
for NCZ001-002-018.
WV...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...AL
NEAR TERM...AL/KK
SHORT TERM...RAB
LONG TERM...RAB
AVIATION...AL
EQUIPMENT...PM/RABHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 526 AM EST Tue Jan 23 2018 NCZ003>006-019-020-VAZ009>014-018>020-023-024-032>035-043>047-058- 059-WVZ044-507-241030- Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Wilkes-Yadkin-Smyth-Bland-Giles- Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Botetourt- Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania- Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte-Monroe- Eastern Greenbrier- 526 AM EST Tue Jan 23 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. WVZ508-241030- Western Greenbrier- 526 AM EST Tue Jan 23 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Snow showers are expected behind the cold front tonight into Wednesday. Snow accumulations up to four inches are possible. This may lead to travel difficulties tonight into Wednesday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ002-VAZ015>017-022-241030- Alleghany NC-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Roanoke- 526 AM EST Tue Jan 23 2018 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 AM EST WEDNESDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest North Carolina, 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. Wind Advisory. .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. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ001-018-241030- Ashe-Watauga- 526 AM EST Tue Jan 23 2018 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 AM EST WEDNESDAY... 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. Wind Advisory. In addition...snow showers are expected behind the cold front beginning tonight into Wednesday. Snow accumulations of 1-2 inches may cause travel difficulties overnight tonight into Wednesday. .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. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ007-WVZ042-043-241030- Tazewell-Mercer-Summers- 526 AM EST Tue Jan 23 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Snow showers are expected behind a cold front beginning tonight into Wednesday. Snow accumulations of 1-2 inches may cause travel difficulties overnight tonight into Wednesday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Strong winds brought down multiple trees across the county. One of the trees fell down partially onto a mobile home on Sinai Road and another against a house on Forest Drive. Many trees were reported blocking roads as well.
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, January 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: 735218.