Winter Storm in Montgomery, Virginia

Between 1 and 4 inches of fell around Montgomery County from February 11 through February 12, with the highest amounts reported northeast of Blacksburg. Also, between 0.16 inches and 0.62 inches of ice accumulated across the county, with some of the highest reports of 0.62 inches observed northeast of Blacksburg. Heavy ice accumulations downed trees, several of which fell across train tracks in Elliston, and stopped all commercial train traffic in the town for an extended period of time. Over 21,000 customers were reported without power by 8 AM on February 13. There were 109 calls to Blacksburg Police Department regarding downed trees and power lines from the winter storm. Key Impacts: power outages, downed trees, road and train track closures, travel disruptions.

A high pressure wedge was situated over the region as a surface low pressure system developed over the southern Plains, with an expansive area of precipitation that shifted eastward into the Mid Atlantic during the day of February 11. Precipitation began as snow, but with the high pressure wedge in place and warm air increasing aloft, a transition from snow to sleet and freezing rain occurred along and south of the Virginia and North Carolina border, so parts of southern Virginia received significant ice accumulations. Ice accumulations on trees and power lines resulted in thousands of power outages and road closures. Western Virginia, especially the Alleghany Highlands area, received heavy snow, accumulations of a foot or more were reported.