Blizzard in Southeast Randolph, West Virginia

A cold front moved through West Virginia during the early afternoon of December 10th and ushered in a blast of cold air into the region. Precipitation accompanying and trailing behind the front changed from rain to snow through the course of the afternoon and evening. Winds picked up in intensity due to the strong cold air advection that settled in behind the front, resulting in a blizzard along the higher West Virginia mountains. Blizzard conditions were observed shortly after midnight on December 11th with strong wind gusts on the order of 35 to 45 miles per hour and visibilities as low as a half mile prevailing into the predawn hours. The highest snow totals observed from this event of 10 inches occurred in Northwest Pocahontas County by the Snowshoe cooperative observer. Snow showers quickly waned just before midday on the 11th as high pressure encroached from the west.