Winter Storm — Northern Virginia Blue Ridge, Virginia

2022-04-18 · Northern Virginia Blue Ridge, Virginia

Event narrative

Six inches of snow was reported at Big Meadows.

Wider weather episode

Coastal low pressure intensified as it tracked up the Mid-Atlantic coast. There was enough cold air in place for precipitation to fall as snow, especially along and west of the Blue Ridge and Catoctin Mountains. Snowfall amounts ranged from 1 to 3 inches in the valleys, with 3 to 6 inches along the ridge tops. There were localized amounts around 6 to 8 inches along the ridge tops above 3,000 feet.

There was a warm layer aloft on the western side of the Allegheny Highlands as well as central Virginia. This led to some freezing rain and sleet, with ice accumulation from freezing rain in the mountains averaging around a tenth of an inch.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1008928. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.