Winter Weather — Campbell, Virginia

2014-01-05 · Campbell, Virginia

Event narrative

Kristine D. Kitts, 19, was traveling south along the 5900 block of Boonesboro Road around 7 a.m. when she lost control and ran off the left side of the road, police say. Police say Kitts was driving a 2005 Suzuki Sport Utility Vehicle. The SUV crossed a driveway and went over an embankment before turning over, police said. Investigators say Kitts was not wearing her seatbelt and was thrown from the SUV. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Icy road conditions at the time of the crash appear to be the contributing factor.

Wider weather episode

Numerous auto accidents were reported across the Piedmont of Virginia into the New River Valley as a weak wedge of high pressure allowed temperatures across much of the area to fall into the low 30s and upper 20s. An upper trough approaching from the west drew warm moisture from the Gulf of Mexico northward along the Appalachian chain to overrun the colder air at the surface. This resulted in a light freezing rain event across much of the forecast region. Because of very cold temperatures just before the event, the ground was very cold, which allowed the ice to adhere to roadway surfaces. In many instances, motorists could not tell they were traveling across an icy surface until it was too late, resulting in numerous auto accidents. Temperatures warmed above freezing for most locations by late morning, although slick roads were reported into the afternoon.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 486426. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.