Cold/Wind Chill — Nicholas, West Virginia

2014-01-21 to 2014-01-22 · Nicholas, West Virginia

Wider weather episode

As colder air was filtering south, a strong mid level disturbance moved up the Ohio River. Only a weak low pressure system was reflected at the surface, which passed to the south. Snow developed in the southwestern Ohio by 0000E on the 21st. The snow moved east, into West Virginia during the predawn.

The steadiest snow during the daylight hours occurred across central counties of West Virginia. The snow diminished to fluffy snow showers during the evening, as temperatures dropped into the teens. North winds also blew the snow around during the late afternoon and early evening. In the wake of the storm, drier arctic air took control.

Snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches were widespread. Accumulations of 8 to 10 inches occurred in portions of Braxton County on east into the central mountain counties. A few of the heaviest snow accumulations from cooperative observers included 9 inches at Hacker Valley and Buckhannon, with 8 inches measured at Sutton, Gassaway, Mt Nebo, and Snowshoe.

A 79 year old Nicholas County man, who suffered with dementia, is believed to have frozen to death. He was last seen on the 20th, the day before the snow arrived. He apparently made a wrong turn, drove several miles along a remote mountain road near Muddlety. His vehicle got stuck in an old snow cover. He apparently spun the wheels so much that his car caught fire. He walked off and his body was not found until the 23rd. Temperatures were in the 20s during the daylight hours of the 21st, then dropped to below zero that night. The date of his death was estimated on the 21st.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 485013. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.