Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC)
Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)
Virginia Emergency Response Team (VERT)

 2010-02 Winter Storm February 5-6
Situation Report # 1
1700 4 February 2010

 
SUMMARY

Governor McDonnell declared a State of Emergency for the Commonwealth of Virginia on 3 February 2010 authorizing state agencies to assist local governments responding to potential major winter storm forecasted to impact the Commonwealth Friday and Saturday, 5 and 6 February, with significant snowfall ranging from 6 to 24 inches and ice accumulation up to ¾ inch. The heaviest snowfall amounts, 16 to 24 inches, will occur overnight Friday through Saturday morning across the Northern Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia.  Heavy snowfall and strong winds from 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph will create blizzard like conditions for the northern parts of the Commonwealth.  Some coastal and localized flooding can be expected in the southeastern parts of the Commonwealth. 
 
Weather Forecast:              

 Winter storm warnings, watches, and advisories have been issued large portions of the Commonwealth beginning at 0600 Friday 5 February continuing through 1000 Saturday 6 February for accumulating snowfall, sleet, and wind.  Winter storm watch is in effect from areas in West/Central Virginia through the Northern Neck.  Flood watch is in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning for Southeast Virginia.  The forecasted precipitation/accumulation totals are as follows:

• Southwest VA – 6 to 12 inches of snow with higher amounts above Route
  460; areas further to the southwest expected to experience periods of sleet less than one tenth of an inch.

• Northern/Northwestern VA – 16 to 24 inches with winds northeast from 15 to
  25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph creating blizzard like conditions Friday night into Saturday morning.

• Central/West Central VA – 3 to 7 inches possible with potential for periods of
  sleet, with totals expected to be less than one tenth of an inch.

• Southeastern Virginia – 1 to 3 inches of rainfall expected

 
Tonight
 

Southwest/West Central VA: Snow, mainly after 1am, total overnight snowfall accumulation around an inch, low temperatures in the upper 20’s.

Central/Eastern VA:  Mostly cloudy with low temperatures in the upper 20’s.

Northwest/Northern VA: Mostly cloudy with low temperatures in the mid 20’s

Friday 5 February

Southwest/West Central VA: Snow and sleet before 2pm, then sleet between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of freezing rain and sleet after 4pm.  Total snow and sleet accumulations between 2 and 4 inches, high temperatures in the low 30’s.  Friday Night:. Snow, freezing rain, and sleet, becoming all snow after 11pm.  Low temperatures in the upper 20’s, winds north wind between 6 and 9 mph, new snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Central/Eastern VA:  A chance of snow before 1pm, then snow and sleet with high temperatures in the mid 30’s.  New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday Night:  Rain and sleet with low temperatures in the low 30’s, winds northeast between 15 and 20 mph. New sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Northwest/Northern VA:  Snow, mainly after 10am, high temperatures in the low 30’s with winds east between 4 and 7 mph. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.  Friday Night:  Snow, heavy at times with low temperatures in the upper 20’s; winds northeast between 11 and 17 mph. New snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches possible.

Saturday 6 February 

Southwest/West Central VA:  Snow likely, mainly before 1pm, with high temperatures in the mid 30’s, winds north around 10 mph.

Central/Eastern VA:  Periods of snow with high temperatures around freezing, winds north between 17 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

 Northwest/Northern VA:  Snow, with high temperatures in the low 30’s, winds north between 10 and 15 mph.