Winter Storm in Smyth, Virginia

A wintry mix occurred with reports of up to 1.0 inches of snow and up to 0.50 inches of freezing rain. Over 3,500 power outages were reported across the county. Key Impacts: power outages, traffic accidents.

An area of low pressure developed across Texas and moved eastward towards the Appalachian Mountains, while Arctic high pressure also tracked eastward across the northern Plains and Great Lakes. The Arctic high reached the Appalachian Mountains first and wedged southward against the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge to provide cold air near the surface. Meanwhile, the area of low pressure dissipated across the mountains, while a secondary area of low pressure formed off the North Carolina coast. This pattern set up a Miller B winter storm with the precipitation type as initially snow on January 24 but changing over to sleet and freezing rain by January 25 due to a substantial warm nose aloft. Notable impacts were documented during this winter storm in the form of power outages and traffic accidents. One traffic accident resulted in the death of a boy in Pittsylvania County.