Winter Storm in Wythe, Virginia

Between 3 and 4.3 inches of snow fell across Wythe County from February 11 through February 12, with 4.3 inches observed northeast of Rural Retreat. Ice accumulations of 0.15 inches to 0.3 inches also occurred, with 0.3 inches of ice reported in Wytheville. Over 4100 customers had lost power by 8 AM on February 12. Key Impacts: power outages, downed trees, road closures.

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.