President's Day Snow, Feb 16th, 2015
Synopsis and Highlights
An arctic front moved across our area during the evening of February 14th, putting our area in a very cold airmass. Low pressure formed over Texas Feb 15th, moved across the Deep South the 16th, then proceeded to move to the Carolina coast through the morning of Feb 17th. Moisture from this system spread far north into our cold airmass resulting in a mainly dry snow event. When the snow started, we had snow to liquid ratios as high as 25:1, meaning for every inch of melted snow, you would get 25 inches. As the low pressure moved closer, warmer air about 3 to 5 thousand feet above the ground edged northward, cutting down the snow to liquid ratio toward a 10 to 15:1 range. Enough warm air moved into Northwest North Carolina, and Southern Virginia to shift the precipitation over to sleet, which cut down on amounts. Several snow bands set up with this event, one that moved across Southeast West Virginia, into portions of the New River Valley, and another that stretched from Grayson County, VA east to Patrick County, VA. Some of the computer models were hinting at 12 to 16 inches for portions of the area, but though a few isolated spots received more than a foot, a majority of the area stayed in the 4 to 10 inch range, with less in North Carolina, thanks to the sleet. A snowfall analysis map is shown below, as well as several photos from around the area.
Figure 1. Arctic front sliding through the area Saturday Evening, Feb 14th.
Figure 2. Low pressure developing over Texas, Sunday afternoon, Feb 15th.
Figure 3. Radar and surface analysis at 10am Monday Feb 16, 2015. Very cold high pressure
centered along the Mid-Atlantic Coast was in place as precipitation arrived from the southwest
well ahead of the surface low, still over northern Louisiana.
Figure 4. Radar and surface analysis for 7pm Monday Feb 16, 2015. Heavier snow was moving
east across the Blue Ridge and into the Piedmont, but in North Carolina especially was mixing with sleet.
Figure 5. Low pressure off the Carolina Coast Tuesday, Feb 17th at 10 am.
Figure 6. Blacksburg Sounding showing how cold the temperature profile was, resulting in a dry snow at the onset.
Figure 7. Greensboro sounding showing the warm nose around 850 mb, and the very cold air at the surface
which resulted in sleet over our southern counties.
The final snowfall accumulation map for the counties covered by the Blacksburg NWS office is shown below, as well as the table of reports below that.
SNOWFALL REPORTS
| LOCATIONS |
STORM TOTAL |
TIME |
DATE |
COMMENTS |
| |
SNOWFALL |
|
|
|
| |
INCHES |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| NORTH CAROLINA |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...ALLEGHANY COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 3 E GLADE VALLEY |
5.5 |
1145 PM |
16-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...ASHE COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 4 SSW LAUREL SPRING |
6 |
1100 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 W SHATLEY SPRINGS |
5.3 |
1200 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 SE WEST JEFFERSON |
5 |
852 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 2 NNW WEST JEFFERSON |
4.5 |
859 AM |
17-Feb |
DEPT OF HIGHWAY |
| 2 SSE FLEETWOOD |
3 |
1228 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CASWELL COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 3 NE PELHAM |
3.8 |
1019 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| BLANCH |
2.6 |
1029 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 4 ESE QUICK |
2.5 |
530 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 2 NE CAMP SPRINGS |
2 |
1130 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| YANCEYVILLE |
2 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
ALSO HALF INCH |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.. |
. |
|
|
|
| 3 ENE STONEVILLE |
4 |
1022 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| STONEVILLE |
4 |
1000 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 2 SE WENTWORTH |
3 |
1013 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| WENTWORTH |
3 |
1018 AM |
17-Feb |
LAW ENFORCEMENT |
| MONROETON |
2 |
1000 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...STOKES COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| KING |
5 |
830 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 W LAWSONVILLE |
4.5 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
MIXED WITH SLEE |
| MEADOWS |
3.7 |
923 AM |
17-Feb |
DEPT OF HIGHWAY |
| 4 N PINE HALL |
3 |
937 AM |
17-Feb |
UP TO 0.10 SLEE |
| 3 E DILLARD |
3 |
1100 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| PINNACLE |
3 |
704 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| LAWSONVILLE |
3 |
1200 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...SURRY COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 2 E LADONIA |
5 |
858 AM |
17-Feb |
LAW ENFORCEMENT |
| 2 S DOBSON |
4.5 |
1100 PM |
16-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| DOBSON |
4.5 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 4 SW WESTFIELD |
4 |
300 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| MOUNT AIRY |
4 |
615 AM |
17-Feb |
AMATEUR RADIO |
| WESTFIELD |
3 |
800 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...WATAUGA COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| BLOWING ROCK |
6 |
600 AM |
17-Feb |
LAW ENFORCEMENT |
| DEEP GAP |
5 |
1038 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| TODD |
4 |
1047 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| ZIONVILLE |
3 |
630 AM |
17-Feb |
LAW ENFORCEMENT |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...WILKES COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| HAYS |
4.7 |
941 AM |
17-Feb |
FIRE DEPT/RESCU |
| 1 S NORTH WILKESBORO |
3 |
1245 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| |
|
|
|
|
| VIRGINIA |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...ALLEGHANY COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 4 E COVINGTON CITY |
8.5 |
400 AM |
17-Feb |
COCORAHS |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...AMHERST COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 2 W ELON |
7 |
900 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 3 SW LOWESVILLE |
7 |
815 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 2 WSW LOWESVILLE |
6 |
1100 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...APPOMATTOX COUNTY.. |
. |
|
|
|
| STONEWALL |
9 |
100 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 2 NW OAKVILLE |
7 |
900 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...BATH COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| MOUNTAIN GROVE |
8 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
CO-OP OBSERVER |
| 2 NNW MILLBORO |
6 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| WILLIAMSVILLE |
5 |
858 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...BEDFORD COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| FOREST |
9.5 |
545 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 1 W GOODE |
9 |
530 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| THAXTON |
9 |
230 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| BEDFORD |
8.5 |
530 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| GOODE |
8.2 |
400 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| HUDDLESTON |
7.5 |
600 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 SE BIG ISLAND |
7 |
1155 PM |
16-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...BOTETOURT COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| LAYMANTOWN |
10 |
330 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 3 W SPRINGWOOD |
9 |
800 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| WEBSTER |
9 |
200 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 ENE CLOVERDALE |
8 |
829 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CAMPBELL COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 4 NNE RUSTBURG |
9 |
1127 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 3 NNW GLADYS |
8.5 |
845 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 SSE BOCOCK |
8 |
600 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 2 S CONCORD |
8 |
1100 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 NE TIMBERLAKE |
8 |
800 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| LYNCHBURG AIRPORT |
7.2 |
1200 AM |
17-Feb |
WSET 13 TV |
| 4 SE EVINGTON |
7 |
1100 PM |
16-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| ALTAVISTA |
6 |
1100 PM |
16-Feb |
LAW ENFORCEMENT |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CARROLL COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| HILLSVILLE |
6 |
845 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 3 SSE BYLLESBY |
5 |
906 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 2 NNE GALAX HILLSVILLE |
4 |
815 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CHARLOTTE COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE |
6.2 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
CO-OP OBSERVER |
| 3 SE ABILENE |
6 |
1230 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| DRAKES BRANCH |
5 |
830 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| SAXE |
4.5 |
835 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CITY OF BEDFORD... |
|
|
|
|
| BEDFORD |
8 |
800 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CITY OF BUENA VISTA |
... |
|
|
|
| BUENA VISTA |
8 |
1103 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CITY OF COVINGTON.. |
. |
|
|
|
| COVINGTON |
6.5 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
CO-OP OBSERVER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CITY OF DANVILLE... |
|
|
|
|
| 1 SSW WESTOVER HILLS |
3.5 |
818 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| DANVILLE AIRPORT |
3 |
1200 AM |
17-Feb |
ASOS |
| 2 SE DANVILLE CITY |
2 |
730 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CITY OF GALAX... |
|
|
|
|
| 2 ENE GALAX CITY |
5 |
926 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CITY OF LYNCHBURG.. |
. |
|
|
|
| 1 WSW LYNCHBURG CITY |
9 |
430 AM |
17-Feb |
WSET |
| 4 NNW LYNCHBURG AIRPORT |
8 |
1135 PM |
16-Feb |
TRACE SLEET. |
| 2 N LYNCHBURG AIRPORT |
8 |
1100 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CITY OF MARTINSVILLE |
|
|
|
|
| 1 NE MARTINSVILLE |
4.1 |
1100 PM |
16-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CITY OF ROANOKE... |
|
|
|
|
| 2 NW CAVE SPRING |
8.5 |
1057 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 2 N ROANOKE |
8 |
845 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 1 ESE ROANOKE |
8 |
800 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 ESE ROANOKE AIRPORT |
7.5 |
1200 AM |
17-Feb |
WDBJ 7 TV |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...CITY OF SALEM... |
|
|
|
|
| SALEM CITY |
9 |
650 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...FLOYD COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 1 SE SIMPSONS |
6 |
1130 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| WILLIS |
5 |
1200 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 2 SE WILLIS |
3 |
1115 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...FRANKLIN COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 4 SSW MONETA |
8 |
715 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 3 SW MONETA |
7 |
1130 PM |
16-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 4 ENE FERRUM |
6 |
1053 AM |
17-Feb |
FIRE DEPT/RESCU |
| 2 NE HENRY |
5 |
400 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| ROCKY MOUNT |
5 |
815 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 1 WNW SNOW CREEK |
4.1 |
1055 PM |
16-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...GILES COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 2 SE MOUNTAIN LAKE |
9.7 |
745 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| PEARISBURG |
8.5 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
NWS EMPLOYEE |
| 2 E PEARISBURG |
7.5 |
800 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...GRAYSON COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 5 NW BAYWOOD |
6 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 ESE GRAYSON HIGHLANDS |
5 |
921 AM |
17-Feb |
PARK SERVICE |
| 1 NNE SPRING VALLEY |
4.5 |
915 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 3 SE FLATRIDGE |
4.5 |
937 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 3 NNE BRIDLE CREEK |
4 |
730 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| ELK CREEK |
4 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 3 SE TROUTDALE |
3.8 |
846 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 3 W BAYWOOD |
3 |
933 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...HALIFAX COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| SOUTH BOSTON |
5.9 |
830 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 WSW CODY |
5.5 |
1056 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 1 S LEDA |
5.3 |
1035 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| HALIFAX |
5 |
800 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 3 E INGRAM |
3 |
800 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| CLOVER |
3 |
1045 AM |
17-Feb |
POST OFFICE |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...HENRY COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| MOUNTAIN VALLEY |
4 |
958 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...MONTGOMERY COUNTY.. |
. |
|
|
|
| 1 E SHAWSVILLE |
9.5 |
445 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| BLACKSBURG |
9 |
1235 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 2 NE BLACKSBURG |
8.8 |
934 AM |
17-Feb |
NWS EMPLOYEE |
| 1 NW BLACKSBURG |
8.5 |
1130 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 NNE BLACKSBURG |
8.5 |
1130 PM |
16-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 3 NE CHRISTIANSBURG |
8 |
1118 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| PILOT |
8 |
1130 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 2 NNE CHRISTIANSBURG |
8 |
930 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| LAUREL RIDGE |
7.5 |
630 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| RINER |
7 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 1 SSW CHRISTIANSBURG |
7 |
815 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 SE WALTON |
7 |
1145 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 3 E PILOT |
6 |
1130 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...PATRICK COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 4 ESE BUFFALO RIDGE |
5.5 |
1220 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY |
... |
|
|
|
| PITTSVILLE |
5 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
STORM CHASER |
| 2 SE MOTLEY |
4.5 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 SE HOLLYS MILL |
4 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
MIXED WITH SLEE |
| CHATHAM |
3.8 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...PULASKI COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| 2 SSW DRAPER |
6 |
530 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| PULASKI |
6 |
730 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 2 S SNOWVILLE |
6 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...ROANOKE COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| CATAWBA |
9 |
1100 PM |
16-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 4 NW ROANOKE AIRPORT |
9 |
500 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 NNE POAGES MILL |
9 |
745 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| VINTON |
8.7 |
1240 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| 2 SSW GLENVAR |
8.5 |
1110 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 3 ESE CAVE SPRING |
8.2 |
800 AM |
17-Feb |
NEWSPAPER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY.. |
. |
|
|
|
| 3 SW ROCKBRIDGE BATHS |
6.4 |
730 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| ROCKBRIDGE BATHS |
6 |
1100 PM |
16-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...SMYTH COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| CHILHOWIE |
7 |
1108 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 3 W MARION |
5 |
830 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 N MARION |
4.8 |
1205 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...TAZEWELL COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| BURKES GARDEN |
11 |
637 AM |
17-Feb |
CO-OP OBSERVER |
| RICHLANDS |
11 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
CO-OP OBSERVER |
| |
|
|
|
|
| WEST VIRGINIA |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...GREENBRIER COUNTY.. |
. |
|
|
|
| RENICK |
11 |
952 AM |
17-Feb |
EMERGENCY MNGR |
| RONCEVERTE |
11 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| MCROSS |
9.2 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
15 INCHES ON TH |
| 2 E TROUT |
8 |
800 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...MERCER COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| FLAT TOP |
14 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
CO-OP OBSERVER |
| PRINCETON |
12 |
820 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 3 NE SANDLICK |
11.5 |
1130 PM |
16-Feb |
PUBLIC |
| ATHENS |
11 |
845 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| 1 NE MERCER CO AIRPORT |
8.8 |
1200 AM |
17-Feb |
ASOS |
| |
|
|
|
|
| ...MONROE COUNTY... |
|
|
|
|
| BALLARD |
9.5 |
700 AM |
17-Feb |
TRAINED SPOTTER |
| WAYSIDE |
9 |
900 AM |
17-Feb |
PUBLIC |
.PNG)
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