Virginia, 2026

Winter Weather in Virginia, March 16 to 17, 2026

March 16 to 17, 2026 · NWS RLX · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

One last burst of winter weather for the season took place across southwest Virginia beginning on the afternoon of March 16th in the wake of a cold front. A surge of sub-freezing temperatures sweeping into the area on the backside of the front resulted in a transition from rain to snow.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 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
2

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 RLX wrote it up.

One last burst of winter weather for the season took place across southwest Virginia beginning on the afternoon of March 16th in the wake of a cold front. A surge of sub-freezing temperatures sweeping into the area on the backside of the front resulted in a transition from rain to snow. Snow showers progressed into the afternoon of March 17th before building high pressure promoted the return of quiet weather. In the midst of the snow, an average of one to three inches of snow fell across Buchanan and Dickenson Counties, with locally higher amounts taking place along the higher elevations.

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 Charleston, WV wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 16, 8:33 AM EST, 4 hours 27 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 16, 8:33 AM EST, 4 hours 27 minutes before
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In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 16, 9:59 AM EST, 3 hours 1 minute before
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Special weather statement, Mar 16, 10:03 AM EST, 2 hours 57 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1103 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

WVZ032-039-040-521-522-524-525-161730-
Taylor-Upshur-Barbour-Northwest Webster-Southeast Webster-
Southeast Pocahontas-Northwest Randolph-
Including the cities of Grafton, Buckhannon, Philippi, Belington,
Holly River State Park, Webster Springs, Cowen, Marlinton,
and Elkins
1103 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...GUSTY WINDS EXPECTED ALONG A STRONG COLD FRONT...

A strong cold front will move through the area in the next couple
of hours with a line of showers and gusty winds. Wind gusts of 35
to 45 mph are possible with this line, along with brief reductions
in visibility.

These gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Use extra
caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile
vehicle.

GW
Local storm report, Mar 16, 10:16 AM EST, 2 hours 44 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1116 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0440 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 SE Louisa             38.10N 82.59W
03/16/2026                   Lawrence           KY   Utility Company

            Tree on power lines.

&&

Webb
Local storm report, Mar 16, 10:54 AM EST, 2 hours 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1154 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0516 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 11 SSE Paden City       39.45N 80.87W
03/15/2026  M37 MPH          Tyler              WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station CWLW2 Conaway Lake.

0451 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Ansted                  38.14N 81.10W
03/15/2026  M45 MPH          Fayette            WV   Public

            Reported by Trained Spotter.

1235 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WNW Buckhannon        39.00N 80.27W
03/16/2026  M35 MPH          Upshur             WV   AWOS

            AWOS station KW22 Buckhannon Airport.

0406 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Worthington             38.55N 82.73W
03/16/2026  M37 MPH          Greenup            KY   AWOS

            AWOS station KDWU Ashland Airport.

0420 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WNW Cannonsburg       38.40N 82.74W
03/16/2026  M42 MPH          Boyd               KY   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW3636 Boyd Co EOC.

0427 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WSW Albany            39.22N 82.23W
03/16/2026  M56 MPH          Athens             OH   AWOS

            AWOS station KUNI Athens Airport.

0430 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 S Louisa              38.10N 82.60W
03/16/2026  M35 MPH          Lawrence           KY   Mesonet

            Mesonet station LUSA Louisa 1 S.

0430 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 S Ceredo              38.37N 82.55W
03/16/2026  M48 MPH          Wayne              WV   ASOS

            ASOS station KHTS Huntington Airport.

0435 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 E Logan               37.85N 81.92W
03/16/2026  M37 MPH          Logan              WV   AWOS

            AWOS station K6L4 Logan Cnty Airport.

0445 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Huntington              38.42N 82.44W
03/16/2026  M41 MPH          Cabell             WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW0889 Huntington.

0518 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 WSW Beverly           39.54N 81.68W
03/16/2026  M41 MPH          Washington         OH   Mesonet

            Mesonet station CW6969 Waterford.

0525 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 W Ripley              38.81N 81.79W
03/16/2026  M37 MPH          Jackson            WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW3407 Evans.

0532 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SSE Williamstown      39.35N 81.42W
03/16/2026  M44 MPH          Wood               WV   ASOS

            ASOS station KPKB Parkersburg Airport.

0533 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 NNE Belpre            39.35N 81.57W
03/16/2026  M36 MPH          Washington         OH   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW2173 MARIETTA.

0545 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst South Charleston        38.35N 81.71W
03/16/2026  M43 MPH          Kanawha            WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW2444 NWS Charleston
            (unofficial).

0546 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NE Charleston         38.38N 81.58W
03/16/2026  M47 MPH          Kanawha            WV   ASOS

            ASOS station KCRW Charleston Airport.

0617 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SW Marmet             38.20N 81.62W
03/16/2026  M35 MPH          Kanawha            WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station BEEW2 Bee Mountain.

0652 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ESE Stanaford         37.80N 81.12W
03/16/2026  M41 MPH          Raleigh            WV   ASOS

            ASOS station KBKW Beckley Airport.

0709 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNE Snowshoe          38.42N 79.99W
03/16/2026  M46 MPH          Pocahontas         WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW1472 Snowshoe.

0717 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 ESE Sutton            38.64N 80.62W
03/16/2026  M37 MPH          Braxton            WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station FLRW2 Flatwoods.

0724 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ENE Bridgeport        39.30N 80.22W
03/16/2026  M44 MPH          Harrison           WV   ASOS

            ASOS station KCKB Clarksburg Airport.

0755 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 ESE Belington         39.00N 79.89W
03/16/2026  M38 MPH          Barbour            WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station LMLW2 Laurel Mountain Lkt.

0758 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 S Elkins              38.88N 79.85W
03/16/2026  M38 MPH          Randolph           WV   ASOS

            ASOS station KEKN Elkins Airport.

0900 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ESE Pea Ridge         38.41N 82.31W
03/16/2026  M36 MPH          Cabell             WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW0888 Barboursville.

0937 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SSE Jackson           38.98N 82.58W
03/16/2026  M36 MPH          Jackson            OH   AWOS

            AWOS station KJRO 4 SE Jackson.

1045 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNE Tornado           38.35N 81.85W
03/16/2026  M35 MPH          Kanawha            WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station DW7574 Upper Falls.

0446 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 W Athalia             38.51N 82.34W
03/16/2026  E60 MPH          Lawrence           OH   Public

&&
Local storm report, Mar 16, 11:03 AM EST, 1 hour 57 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Corrected
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1203 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1235 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 WNW Buckhannon        39.00N 80.27W
03/16/2026  M35 MPH          Upshur             WV   AWOS

            AWOS station KW22 Buckhannon Airport.

0430 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 S Louisa              38.10N 82.60W
03/16/2026  M35 MPH          Lawrence           KY   Mesonet

            Mesonet station LUSA Louisa 1 S.

0617 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 SW Marmet             38.20N 81.62W
03/16/2026  M35 MPH          Kanawha            WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station BEEW2 Bee Mountain.

1045 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 NNE Tornado           38.35N 81.85W
03/16/2026  M35 MPH          Kanawha            WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station DW7574 Upper Falls.

0533 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     5 NNE Belpre            39.35N 81.57W
03/16/2026  M36 MPH          Washington         OH   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW2173 MARIETTA.

0900 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 ESE Pea Ridge         38.41N 82.31W
03/16/2026  M36 MPH          Cabell             WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW0888 Barboursville.

0937 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     5 SSE Jackson           38.98N 82.58W
03/16/2026  M36 MPH          Jackson            OH   AWOS

            AWOS station KJRO 4 SE Jackson.

0516 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     11 SSE Paden City       39.45N 80.87W
03/15/2026  M37 MPH          Tyler              WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station CWLW2 Conaway Lake.

0406 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Worthington             38.55N 82.73W
03/16/2026  M37 MPH          Greenup            KY   AWOS

            AWOS station KDWU Ashland Airport.

0435 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 E Logan               37.85N 81.92W
03/16/2026  M37 MPH          Logan              WV   AWOS

            AWOS station K6L4 Logan Cnty Airport.

0525 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 W Ripley              38.81N 81.79W
03/16/2026  M37 MPH          Jackson            WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW3407 Evans.

0717 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     5 ESE Sutton            38.64N 80.62W
03/16/2026  M37 MPH          Braxton            WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station FLRW2 Flatwoods.

0755 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 ESE Belington         39.00N 79.89W
03/16/2026  M38 MPH          Barbour            WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station LMLW2 Laurel Mountain Lkt.

0758 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 S Elkins              38.88N 79.85W
03/16/2026  M38 MPH          Randolph           WV   ASOS

            ASOS station KEKN Elkins Airport.

0445 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Huntington              38.42N 82.44W
03/16/2026  M41 MPH          Cabell             WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW0889 Huntington.

0518 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 WSW Beverly           39.54N 81.68W
03/16/2026  M41 MPH          Washington         OH   Mesonet

            Mesonet station CW6969 Waterford.

0652 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 ESE Stanaford         37.80N 81.12W
03/16/2026  M41 MPH          Raleigh            WV   ASOS

            ASOS station KBKW Beckley Airport.

0420 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 WNW Cannonsburg       38.40N 82.74W
03/16/2026  M42 MPH          Boyd               KY   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW3636 Boyd Co EOC.

0545 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     South Charleston        38.35N 81.71W
03/16/2026  M43 MPH          Kanawha            WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW2444 NWS Charleston
            (unofficial).

0532 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 SSE Williamstown      39.35N 81.42W
03/16/2026  M44 MPH          Wood               WV   ASOS

            ASOS station KPKB Parkersburg Airport.

0724 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 ENE Bridgeport        39.30N 80.22W
03/16/2026  M44 MPH          Harrison           WV   ASOS

            ASOS station KCKB Clarksburg Airport.

0451 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Ansted                  38.14N 81.10W
03/15/2026  M45 MPH          Fayette            WV   Public

            Reported by Trained Spotter.

0709 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 NNE Snowshoe          38.42N 79.99W
03/16/2026  M46 MPH          Pocahontas         WV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW1472 Snowshoe.

0546 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 NE Charleston         38.38N 81.58W
03/16/2026  M47 MPH          Kanawha            WV   ASOS

            ASOS station KCRW Charleston Airport.

0430 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 S Ceredo              38.37N 82.55W
03/16/2026  M48 MPH          Wayne              WV   ASOS

            ASOS station KHTS Huntington Airport.

0427 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 WSW Albany            39.22N 82.23W
03/16/2026  M56 MPH          Athens             OH   AWOS

            AWOS station KUNI Athens Airport.

0446 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 W Athalia             38.51N 82.34W
03/16/2026  E60 MPH          Lawrence           OH   Public

&&
Special weather statement, Mar 16, 11:40 AM EST, 1 hour 20 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1240 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

WVZ516-518>520-161900-
Southeast Raleigh-Southeast Fayette-Northwest Nicholas-
Southeast Nicholas-
Including the cities of Beckley, Meadow Bridge, Summersville,
Craigsville, Birch River, and Richwood
1240 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...GUSTY WINDS EXPECTED ALONG A STRONG COLD FRONT...

A strong cold front will move through the area in the next hour or
so with a line of showers and gusty winds. Wind gusts of 35 to 45
mph are possible with this line, along with brief reductions in
visibility.

These gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Use extra
caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile
vehicle.

GW

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Buchanan

When
March 16, 1:00 PM EST to March 17, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Buchanan forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.267, -82.036 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Dickenson

When
March 16, 1:00 PM EST to March 17, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Dickenson forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.126, -82.350 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Winter Weather
Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Virginia in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, March 2026

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: 1327278, 1327279.