Winter Storm in Wise, Virginia

A complex winter event occurred in Wise County. Heavy snowfall during the late morning and early afternoon resulted in 4 to 5 inches across the county, with 4.2 measured just outside of the city of Wise, 4.5 inches of snow measured in Norton, and 5 inches measured in Coeburn. After 1400 a lull in precipitation occurred. Snow to wintry mix to freezing rain resumed in earnest by 1700 and by 0030 on the 6th the trained spotter in Coeburn reported that the snowpack had condensed to 4 inches, but freezing rain had resulted in 0.2 inches of ice on metal and elevated surfaces, and they could hear branches breaking in the forests of Jefferson National Forest.

Isentropic lifting helped produce stratiform precipitation across Virginia, leading to snow accumulations across the area. Precipitation began as snow before eventually switching to rain.