Winter Storm — Ridges of E Monongalia and Nw Preston, West Virginia

2021-01-31 · Ridges of E Monongalia and Nw Preston, West Virginia

Event narrative

Seven inches had accumulated at Pisgah by 5 PM, while Gladesville had 6 inches by noon.

Wider weather episode

During the morning of January 31st, weakening low pressure moved northward into the lower Ohio Valley. Frontogenetic forcing allowed for some higher snow rates during the morning and early afternoon hours, particularly in the higher elevations. Snow rates became lighter in the afternoon as support for lift weakened and lifted northward, and some rain was also able to mix in away from the ridges. Up to a foot was seen in the higher elevations by that evening, while areas away from the ridges were generally limited to four inches or less before midnight.

This event continued into early February, when strengthening northwest flow increased cold advection and allowed additional accumulating snow showers to develop.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 940218. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.