Blizzard — Northern Virginia Blue Ridge, Virginia

2022-03-12 · Northern Virginia Blue Ridge, Virginia

Event narrative

Video showed whiteout conditions and observations indicated very strong winds with frequent gusts of 45 to 55 mph along with moderate to heavy snow. There were reports of whiteout conditions along with intense blowing and drifting snow along the ridges from the Shenandoah National Park.

Wider weather episode

A very strong cold front passed through the area during the early morning hours of the 12th. Arctic air behind the boundary combined with low pressure and an upper-level disturbance to bring a period of snow during the morning and midday hours of the 12th. Snow showers persisted later in the afternoon and evening, with most of the additional accumulation being along and west of the Allegheny Front in western Highland County.

Snowfall amounts totaled from around 1 to 3 inches near Interstate 95, with 3 to 6 inches across northern Virginia. Snowfall amounts in the Blue Ridge Mountains were about 4 to 8 inches.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1002270. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.